Senior Scientist – Emerging Virus Research Unit (ID4248)

Job summary

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.

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 senior scientist, you will plan, manage and execute research and development into the pathogenesis and epidemiology of veterinary viruses, and novel diagnostic methods, particularly relevant to equids. You will generate expertise and provide consultancy both inside the agency as well as to national and international stakeholders on veterinary viruses, particularly those relevant to equids. You will lead the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and Designated Laboratory (DL) for equine viral diseases such as Equine arteritis virus (EAV), Equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) and including those that are zoonotic and their differentials (equine encephalitides viruses). You will also support the disease emergency responses in the Virology Department.

Job description

Main areas of work will include:

• Manage research projects and design approaches for scientific investigations, ensuring completion of project objectives and milestones to customers satisfaction; delivery of science in accord with relevant Quality Assurance standards and within budget.
• Be a member of the Workgroup’s senior scientist team, and 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 out with UK government funding.
• Draft applications for funding bodies and obtain permissions for work (e.g. from Home Office and HSE)
• Act as coordinator for equine viral diseases and lead the corresponding Designated and national reference laboratories.
• Disease consultant for equine viral diseases if/as required.
• Monitor the horizon for technological developments that may be used to develop the research programme of new and emerging viruses, particular those of equids, whilst maintaining current disease portfolio capabilities.
• Provide consultancy to stakeholders such as the Defra, but also the industry, maintain and enhance links across the national and international equine stakeholder community.
• 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 emphasize a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety.
• To liaise with APHA scientific and Quality Assurance Unit - Sutton Bonington, e.g., as commentator for External Quality Assurance (EQA) schemes.
• Implement and maintain good laboratory practice and standards and act as room officer, if required, for a laboratory.
• Participate in the disease emergency response in the event of a disease outbreak and on call rota if required.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Good written and oral communication skills (with track record on delivery of outputs such as manuscripts, presentations or applications and reports and ability to network and provide expertise to stakeholders).
• Experience with line management/supervision and developing others
• Understanding of requirements for working in containment level 3, and bio-safety expertise.
• Experience with quality management systems such as ISO9001.
• PhD and post-doctoral experience, or equivalent experience.

Security clearance

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. Applicantsmust be currently resident in the UKhave at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.

Ways of Working

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.

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings.

Out of hours work may be required. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, 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.

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. The work of the post can be physically demanding. Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able.

A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Virology knowledge in theory and practice with track record of classical and molecular virology expertise
• Experience with leadership through leading and developing staff and scientific communication
• Bio-safety expertise and experience with quality management systems such as ISO17025 and ISO9001

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,060, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £13,343 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 as inclusion, support and 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, 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.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

You will be required to complete the following as part of your application:

• A CV-style application submitted through an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs website
• A 500-word Personal Statement of how you match the details in the Personal Specification – the written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. We encourage you to use the full word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed it.

Scoring for all criteria of the application is from 1 to 7 – A score of 4 and above will progress to interview unless there is a large number of applications. In this instance, an initial sift will be conducted using the personal statement.The panel may agree a benchmark score higher than 4 with a rationale for the decision. Any candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who scores 4 or above on all of the criteria will be offered an interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

For further guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV style application, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit the Civil Service Careers website. How to write your CV , Civil Service Careers

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on

• Experience as detailed in the Person Specification section - Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK framework.
• Technical skills, as outlined in the advert and job description, following theSuccess Profiles: Technical - GOV.UKframework
• Behaviours, as listed on the advert and job description. The Behaviour criteria outlined in theSuccess Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UKframework for SEO positions. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your interview.
• You will also be required to give a 5-minute presentation with slides, followed by questions and answers. This will be assessed under the Behaviour Seeing the Big Picture. Full details of the presentation will be given when you are invited for interview.

Your interview will be conducted face to face or online. You will be notified of the interview location when you are invited to interview.

Reserves

In the event of more than one candidate meeting the criteria we may maintain a reserve list should a similar role become available in the subsequent 12 months following interview.

After the interview

Once all the interviews have been conducted, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are successful at the interview stage, we will be in touch to offer you a role. Offers will be made in merit order.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Location

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).

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location (excluding Northern Ireland) and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

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.

This role is based at APHA Weybridge only due to the nature of the role and the duties required. This post requires you to be working on-site five days per week or less if part-time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to receive an additional pay supplement of £2,500 upon appointment. There is a further pay supplement up to £2,500 which may be offered based on candidate’s annual competency assessment. These allowances do not form part of the Terms of Employment.

Specialist Pay

A specialist pay allowance will be given under the following conditions:

• You must be carrying out a DS science role (as defined in the GSE career framework and assured by the Deputy Director of Scientific Services) in the Science Directorate within APHA, either in a permanent or FTA SSO role.
• Scientists in these posts are eligible for level 0 allowances – on appointment or from the date of implementation of this allowance.

Overview of how the Specialist Pay lead will work:

The assessment framework has three levels of capability, all levels of capability attract an allowance. The capability assessment framework has been developed based on the GSE framework to build the technical skills and capabilities required by APHA at the DS SSO grade. The allowance levels are:

• Level 0 - Emerging (£2,500) - On appointment or basic knowledge and limited relevant experience. You understand how the skill can be applied. You can describe the benefits and importance. Individual is developing within the role, including skills and technical ability. The postholder will be assessed after 3 months in post, and thereafter yearly, to determine whether they can move up to a Level 1 (£3500) or Level 2 (£5000) allowance.

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 may be 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.

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.

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.

Working Pattern

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 arranged.

Higher Security Clearance

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all staff based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK and have at least three years continuous UK residency in order to start the mandatory Counter Terrorist Check security checks that are required to work at APHA Weybridge. If you cannot meet this criterion, CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks required before taking up the post.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a 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

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 theCivil 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.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Science Directorate Recruitment
• Email : Science.DirectorateHR@apha.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 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: here

Attachments

VI5 Senior Research Scientist SSO JD ID4248 Opens in new window (pdf, 414kB)APHA Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1869kB)