Research scientist/Bacteriologist (ID 3958)

Animal & Plant Health Agency; Borough of Runnymede; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health agency located in the UK is seeking a professional to support research and surveillance projects on Campylobacter. Responsibilities include delivering research on bacterial zoonoses, coordinating laboratory and field work, and providing technical advice to various stakeholders. Applicants should have a relevant degree in microbiology and substantial knowledge of Campylobacter microbiology. The role emphasizes project management and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Depth of knowledge on bacteriology and zoonoses required.
• Experience in laboratory and fieldwork desirable.
• Ability to develop and maintain quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver research and surveillance on bacterial zoonoses.
• Organize and coordinate laboratory and field work.
• Provide technical advice and support to stakeholders.
• Lead microbiology work packages from concept to reporting.

Skills

Knowledge of Campylobacter microbiology

Statistical analysis

Project management

Technical advising

Education

Relevant degree in microbiology or related field

Job description

Overview

The post is based at the National Reference Laboratory for Campylobacter within the Department of Bacteriology at APHA Weybridge. It will support the delivery of research and surveillance projects across the field epidemiology workgroup, primarily supporting research and surveillance projects on Campylobacter (zoonoses and animal pathogen) with occasional work on other bacteria as required.

Responsibilities

• To deliver research and surveillance into bacterial zoonoses with a focus on Campylobacter.
• To organise and co-ordinate laboratory and field work as required.
• Contribute to the management and leadership of the National Reference Laboratory for Campylobacter in Animals.
• To hold a depth of knowledge on Campylobacter microbiology and associated epidemiology.
• To provide technical advice and support to Campylobacter disease consultants, project leaders, management, regional laboratories, Defra and external organisations.
• To provide test consultancy across the Campylobacter test portfolio.
• To develop and maintain expertise in detection, enumeration and characterisation (phenotyping, genotyping, AMR profiling) of food borne pathogens and specifically Campylobacter and take part in quality assurance exercises.
• To maintain and develop quality systems within the team, including maintenance of IS017025 (UKAS) and ISO9001 (LRQA) accreditation and lead preparations for quality audits and responses.
• To support the implementation of safety procedures and standards across the workgroup.
• To assist with the planning, delivery, data analysis and reporting for research and surveillance projects on foodborne zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.
• To lead on the design and delivery of microbiology work packages from concept through to analysis and reporting.
• To collate and statistically analyse data and produce project reports, scientific publications and presentations.
• To facilitate the meeting of project milestones and fulfil APHA published output targets.
• To liaise and collaborate with other groups within and outside APHA, including epidemiology and bioinformatics teams to deliver multidisciplinary projects.
• To develop a close working relationship with other work-groups and take a leading role in the development of new research proposals.

Disability Confident

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About APHA

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. The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.