Research Scientist - Immunology

Animal & Plant Health Agency; Addlestone; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) is recruiting for a Research Scientist in the Mammalian Virology workgroup within the Emerging Virus Research unit. The role involves planning, managing and delivering research into the pathogenesis of RNA viruses and host immunity, contributing to national and international surveillance and advisory activities.

You will support National Reference Laboratories for swine and equine viral diseases, participate in disease emergency responses, and ensure QA

Responsibilities

• Plan, manage and deliver research projects on RNA virus pathogenesis and immunity.
• Support National Reference Laboratories for animal diseases and participate in disease emergency responses.
• Communicate scientific findings through internal/external meetings and publications.
• Provide supervision and training to staff and students in the workgroup.
• Draft collaborative research proposals and seek funding opportunities.

Job description

The Virology department is a multi-disciplinary team with a statutory remit in named reportable, endemic, notifiable and exotic diseases for the delivery of research, diagnostic services and surveillance programmes. As a research scientist within the Mammalian Virology workgroup, you will be involved with planning, managing, and delivering research and development into the pathogenesis of and immunity against RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses in the Emerging Virus Research unit (EVRU). You will generate expertise for both inside the agency as well as for national and international stakeholders. You will support National Reference Laboratories for swine and equine viral diseases and be part of the disease emergency responses in the Virology Department. Main areas of work will include:

• Execute research to enhance the control of veterinary viruses, specifically through understanding their pathogenesis and immunity
• Manage research projects; design and execute approaches for scientific investigations, ensuring completion of project objectives and milestones to the customers satisfaction; delivery of science in accord with relevant Quality Assurance standard ISO9001 and within budget
• Communication of science through participation in internal and external meetings, and to ensure a high-quality programme of scientific approaches published in peer reviewed literature with high impact.
• Support the Workgroup's senior scientist team, through deputising and delegated tasks, and contribute to strategic planning
• Develop and seek opportunities for the initiation of (collaborative) research proposals, both nationally and internationally and draft applications for funding bodies.
• Maintain and enhance links across the national and international stakeholder community through provision of expertise and influencing.
• Provide consultancy to stakeholders such as Defra, and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and also the industry.
• Liaise with APHA scientific and the Quality Assurance Unit e,g, as commentator for external quality assurance schemes
• Supervise and provide training for members of staff, students, and visitors in the workgroup.
• Manage technical knowledge relating to host-pathogen interaction mechanisms, feeding into the Virology department.
• Ensure that self and team maintain safe operation of the laboratory, including containment level 3 and 4 high containment laboratories, ensuring staff are aware of and adhere to appropriate safety procedures and emphasise a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety.
• Participate in the disease emergency response in the event of a disease outbreak and be part of the on-call rota

Do you want to be part of a team safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? If so, why not join us and make a difference.

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. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.