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Location
About the job
Job summary
The successful candidate will carry out laboratory testing duties in the APHA Penrith Laboratory. The role covers work in Molecular Biology, with support to other areas as required.
The purpose of the job is to be a member of a team carrying out sample testing 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 molecular biology, microbiology and serology.
All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment Level 2 laboratories, with some areas of work being undertaken at Containment Level 3.
The post holder will be required to:
- Work to Agency safety and quality standards.
- Test submissions using scientific techniques used in APHA.
- Provide support and undertake duties on behalf of local Quality and Safety managers.
This job requires full-time attendance at APHA Penrith.
Job description
Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in 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.
Molecular Biology
- Receive in samples using the LIMS IT system.
- Carry out tests requested by our customers.
- Preparation of samples prior to DNA/RNA extraction.
- DNA/RNA extraction procedures including work at Containment Level 3.
- PCR clean room procedures
- Performance of endpoint and real time PCR
- Occasional weekend overtime (Rostered weekends)
- Ensuring the appropriate disposal of specimens and other clinical laboratory and animal waste.
TB work in CL3 Laboratory
- Receive in samples using the LIMS IT system.
- Process tissues for solid culture and PCR.
- Carry out further investigational work on cultures and harvesting of positive M. bovis cultures.
- Prepare paperwork and despatch of samples.
Quality (all departments apply)
- Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and local procedures
- Check and report results, liaising with line manager.
- Maintain laboratory daybooks and records.
- Ensure equipment logs are up to date and that failures are reported to Responsible Officer
- Assist with maintenance of ISO17025 accreditation by working to SOP’s.
- Contribute to the ethos of working to the highest quality standards.
- Archive specimens according to agreed procedures
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.
Work activities may change depending on the needs of the business which may involve training for additional tests and tasks not detailed on this job description.
Person specification
Staff (excluding under 18-year-olds) may be required to work rostered weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.
Travel may occasionally be required to attend training courses and undertake farm visits. You must have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.
The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Working Together
Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement, and one behaviour statement.
In your Personal Statement please write up to 500 words demonstrating how you match the required skills and experience for this post, referring to the job description.
Please complete a statement on the specified Behaviour (250 word max).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Behaviour, Working Together.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Strengths, and your experience.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Location
Applicants will be based at Penrith only.
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.
Salary
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.
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.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
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 circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Full Time Only
This role is full-time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be agreed. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share.
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 www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Medical
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.
