Assistant Bacteriology Scientist (ID 2030)

This is a junior position where full training and guidance across a range of bacteriological techniques will be provided. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly where scientific activities are likely to include some of the following:
+ Culture of different organisms (e.g. E. coli, Salmonella spp., Staph aureus, Brucella spp., Campylobacter spp., Mycoplasmas or TB) on specialist media from a wide range of biological samples (e.g. faeces, tissues, swabs or food samples).
+ Phenotypic tests including serological identification and/or typing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone diffusion testing.
+ Assistance with the collection of samples farm animal premises, feed mills, abattoirs and hatcheries (requires availability to perform physically demanding field work, partly during unsocial hours, and occasional overnight stays in different parts of the country).
+ Production and standardisation of reagents for surveillance projects and international trade assays.
+ Tests to determine the efficacy of disinfectants.
+ Molecular tests including antimicrobial resistance gene detection by either single gene (PCR) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) approaches, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, other WGS related tests. Basic related ‘bioinformatics’.
+ Basic immunology including cell counting and immunoassay of cytokines.
+ Undertake serological tests to support research projects, international trade and OIE collaboration projects.
+ Speciation of bacteria by biochemical, genetic and MALDI-ToF approaches.
+ Presentation of data in tabular or graphical formats for compilation in reports or papers.
+ Responsibility as a room officer for a laboratory.
+ Working to quality (ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 17025) and safety standards.
+ Flexible working to contribute to a range of scientific projects in the laboratory and in the field.
+ Quality assurance testing of media.
+ Working to tight deadlines of commercial customers.
+ Work according to the latest version of the APHA safety policies., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Working Together
+ Managing a Quality Service, As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made., Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least 3 years continuous UK residency. If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks., + UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

The post holder will work in busy teams in the Bacteriology department. They will be given the opportunity of receiving training in several aspects of the work, and full guidance will be provided. The post holder will be expected to deliver at pace in a team environment, be keen to learn and work accordingly to the latest Health and Safety and Quality guidance., Essential scientific skills are listed below and are those required for the delivery of general bacteriology for our customers:
+ Basic microbiology and/or immunology knowledge.
+ Experience in the use of computer software including Microsoft Office.
+ Ability to organise own work and time.
+ An interest in the food animal production sector., "A” levels or equivalent in science related subjects are required.

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, impactful and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our people are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.
To provide scientific technical expertise for a wide range of projects in the bacteriology field within the Department of Bacteriology, APHA Weybridge. This might include work for Defra, government organisations such as the Food Standards Agency, veterinary customers, and academia or for those in bio-veterinary pharmaceuticals. Individual posts may be focused on specific types of activity, such as field investigations, culture of bacteria from samples, bacterial identification, typing, characterisation, aiding in production of diagnostic reagents or disinfection.
The posts are full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. The posts are based at the Weybridge APHA laboratories. Attendance at the laboratories is essential and therefore the post holder needs to be able to work from the APHA Weybridge site.

Alongside your salary of £27,245, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £7,892 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support as the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension (28.97%), staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role., New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.