Immunologist

As a Senior Immunologist, you will plan, manage and execute research and development into the pathogenesis and immunology of veterinary viruses. The role will coordinate the immunology work and support the research strategy of the Mammalian Virology workgroup and support the disease emergency responses in the Virology Department.,

• Manage research projects and design 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.


• Be a member of the Workgroup's senior scientist team, through deputising and delegated tasks, contribute to strategic planning.


• Communication of science through participation in internal and external meetings, but also to ensure a high quality programme of scientific approaches published in peer reviewed literature with high impact.


• Develop and seek opportunities for the initiation of (collaborative) research proposals, both nationally and internationally specifically through accessing opportunities outwith UKgov funding.


• Draft applications for funding bodies and to obtain permissions for work (Home office and HSE).


• Maintain and enhance the workgroups immunology knowledge base to support research within the group and across the department .


• Monitor the horizon for technological developments that may be used to develop the research programme of host-pathogen interaction in the work group.


• Oversee flow cytometry and spatial immunology across the work group. This includes training and assisting in the experimental design and execution.


• Provide consultancy to stakeholders such as the Defra, but also the industry.


• Supervise and provide training for members of staff, students, and visitors in the workgroup.


• Ensure that self and team maintain safe operation of the laboratory, including CL3 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.


• Act as room officer for a the immunology laboratory, implementing and maintaining good laboratory practice and standards therein.


• Participate in the disease emergency response in the event of a disease outbreak and on call rota if required.
  
  You will need to demonstrate the following:


• Immunology knowledge in theory and practice e.g. through pathogenesis / vaccine studies and molecular characterisation i.e. multi parameter flow cytometry and state of the art immunological analyses, such as single cell omics, cell sorting, spatial imaging.


• Good written and oral communication skills (to deliver outputs such as manuscripts, presentations or applications and reports).


• Ability to network and provide immunological expertise across a department.


• Understanding of requirements for working in containment level 3 and bio-safety expertise.


• Experience with Good Laboratory Practice and/or quality management systems such as ISO9001., PhD and post-doc experience, or equivalent experience.
  
  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.