Laboratory Assistant (ID4622)

Details
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Reference number

466646

Salary

£26,025
Pro\-rata for job share
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28\.97%
GBP

Job grade

Administrative Officer
Assistant Scientific Officer### Contract type

Permanent### Business area

APHA – Science \- Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department (SLSD)### Type of role

Science### Working pattern

Full\-time, Job share### Number of jobs available

1
Contents
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• Location


• About the job


• Benefits


• Things you need to know


• Apply and further information

Location
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YorkAbout the job
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Job summary

Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?

If so, why not join us and make a difference. More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity.

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 Parasitology team in APHA York Sand Hutton, YO41 1LZ, York delivers specialist diagnostic services, national surveillance support, and expert advice for parasitic diseases across the UK. With extensive experience and strong technical capability, the team is particularly well equipped to provide high‑quality testing and surveillance for *Trichinella* and *Echinococcus*, helping to protect public health and food safety.

This role involves supporting parasitology, molecular biology, and wildlife surveillance activities at APHA York, including testing for *Trichinella, Echinococcus \& Anisakis*, performing artificial digestion method, molecular assays, processing and recording samples, assisting with fox collections and post‑mortem sampling, and working to strict quality and safety standards within Containment Level 2 (CL2\) laboratories, with duties adapting to operational needs.

Job description

The successful candidate will carry out laboratory testing duties in the APHA York Laboratory. The role covers work in Parasitology, Molecular Biology and Wildlife Surveillance 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 monitor for the presence of the parasites *Echinococcus* in foxes, and *Trichinella* in wildlife and domestic animal species.

All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment Level 2 laboratories

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

Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all 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. Areas will include but not limited to:

*Anisakis/Trichinella* surveillance

• To learn the artificial digest method for Trichinella testing.


• Process samples received for testing by our customers.


• Record results onto Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)


• Ensure the appropriate disposal of specimens and other clinical laboratory and animal waste.

*Echinococcus* surveillance

• Carry out fox collections.


• Fox data entry onto LIMS


• Provide support in the post\-mortem room with sampling and recording of findings, including collection of samples and preparing instruments/trays.


• Preparation of samples prior to Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) / Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction.


• DNA/RNA extraction procedures.


• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clean room procedures


• Performance of end\-point and real time PCR


• Gel Electrophoresis

Quality

• Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and local procedures


• Check and report results, liaising with line manager


• Maintain laboratory logbooks 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


• Participate in internal and external quality audits as required.


• Provide support to the Local Quality Manager where needed.

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

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Experience working within a laboratory


• Experience working with wildlife


• Experience in molecular biology

Ways of Working

This post requires you to be working in the Laboratory five days per week or less if on a job\-share.

Other Information

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings. Frequent fox collections within UK will be required e.g. minimum one visit per month (travel costs will be covered by the department).

A fully valid UK Driving Licence is necessary.

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 post will require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health and have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance, including Tetanus and Skin Sensitisers. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge.

Licences

Fully valid UK Driving Licence### 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
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Alongside your salary of £26,025, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £7,539 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 days per year. 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
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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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.### Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.Application Process

You will be asked to complete a numerical and verbal reasoning test before completing the CV\-style application template. Therefore, please ensure this is completed in plenty of time before moving to complete the application. You will then

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