Laboratory Assistant (ID4080, ID4079, ID4208)

Government Recruitment Service; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking laboratory scientists to safeguard animal and plant health. This role involves conducting sample testing, monitoring animal health, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Candidates should have experience in microbiology and serology and must work within a diverse team, contributing to critical health initiatives protecting UK biodiversity. The position encourages a commitment to safety and accurate record-keeping in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Opportunities for career development

Comprehensive training

Qualifications

• Experience in testing for animal diseases and exotic diseases.
• Familiarity with ISO 17025 standards.
• Ability to work with hazardous samples safely.

Responsibilities

• Conduct sample testing to diagnose animal diseases.
• Monitor animal health and screen for exotic disease incursions.
• Perform statutory testing using various laboratory techniques.

Skills

Sample testing

Microbiology

Serology

Molecular biology

Safety compliance

Record keeping

Tools

Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)

Autoclave

Pipettes

Job description

Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare?

More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity.

If so, we would love to hear from you!

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science.

Your duties will include sample testing in order to establish the diagnosis of animal disease, monitoring animal health, screening for incursion of exotic disease, and performing statutory testing. A wide variety of tests are undertaken utilising serology, microbiology, parasitology and molecular biology techniques. All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment level 1 facilities, with some work being undertaken at the higher containment levels. The job involves working with pathogens and hazardous samples and must be undertaken following safe working practices as specified in instructions and safety documentation. All laboratories perform to ISO 17025 standards, and all work must conform to these standards. The APHA operate a network of laboratories offering different test portfolios at each site, you will be requiring to understand the wider role of the department, and how these fits with other departments of the wider agency.

You will be working as part of a cross-department team of veterinary, laboratory and administration staff to deliver testing results to internal and external customers. The work undertaken can be varied and may range from registering submissions on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) IT system, undertaking repetitious tasks, to undertaking testing that requires specialist and demanding technical ability. Laboratory staff are required to liaise with other agency laboratories and may be required to communicate with external customers

Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all technical disciplines undertaken at the laboratory and are required to work in different areas of the laboratory involving different disciplines on a rotational basis to provide testing cover where it is needed. Duties include:

Gamma Interferon

• Ensure all samples received for gamma testing are processed as efficiently as possible.
• Stimulation of high volumes of whole blood samples.
• Carry out ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) testing.

Media Production

• Preparation of solid and liquid culture media
• Quality control checks of products.

Salmonella

• Ensure all samples received for Salmonella and animal by-products testing are processed as required

Animal by products

• Ensure all samples received for Salmonella and animal by-products testing are processed as required.

General

• Receipt and dispatch of samples on a LIMS system
• Recording test data and findings
• Housekeeping duties
• Preparation of critical test reagents
• Disposal of samples and spent reagents
• Use of lab equipment, autoclave, pipettes, etc.
• Keeping line management informed of problems/anomalies

Health and safety

• Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures.
• Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments.
• Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory.
• Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training.
• Participate in safety audits/ inspections to support the local safety manager.

Quality

• Accurate record keeping.
• Working to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Working to quality standards (ISO 17025).
• Participate in proficiency testing schemes.
• Participate in audits to support the local quality manager.