Brucella Production and Diagnostics Manager

Working under the umbrella of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) is the government agency responsible for keeping the nation safe from animal disease, identifying infections that may impact people, the environment, and the economy. We also respond to disease outbreaks, conduct scientific research, and support the international trade of animal products and plants – meaning our work is high profile.

The Brucella team within the Department of Bacteriology is seeking an experienced microbiologist to provide support in the maintenance, development and delivery of Brucella diagnostics and R&D activities, primarily within a containment level 2 (CL2) laboratory.

The successful candidate will manage the production of diagnostic reagents and antigens supporting UK surveillance, international trade and commercial sales.

We are seeking enthusiastic applicants with experience of diagnostic testing in a laboratory environment. They should have knowledge and experience of standard bacteriological or transferable microbiological techniques. Work is undertaken in accordance with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17025:2017 quality standards where applicable.

Applicants must have a minimum of 3 A levels including a qualification in biology, chemistry or mathematics.

A full job specification and role requirements can be found attached to this vacancy.

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 contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working.

Other Information

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 post holders based at 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 CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least 3 years continuous UK residency.

Closing date: Monday 14 October 2024.