As Senior Animal Scientist to develop animal sciences in line with APHA’s Science Strategy by contributing to welfare improvements and refining experimental techniques in farmed livestock, poultry as well as small laboratory animals used in scientific procedures. To support work in specialist biocontainment (up to ACDP3/SAPO4/GM3), be involved in procedures in animals used for scientific procedures and to support the Named Information Officer by driving development of the 3Rs.

Provide senior management and direction to APHA’s Animal Care Resource, including staffing and competence. Maintaining animal supplier contacts and contracts as required. Provide leadership and implementation of APHA’s Animal Welfare Standards. Develop science output, especially in ACDP CL2, CL3 and SAPO CL2, CL3, CL4 animal facilities and studies. Provide senior support and expertise in the development of the animal science team.

Responsibilities

• They will work as part of a diverse team with veterinary, scientific and technical staff to deliver a wide range of animal science projects involving a range of important and zoonotic diseases (eg Influenza, TB, TSE, rabies), in farmed livestock, poultry or small animals. The jobholder will lead in the planning, execution and conduct of studies being carried out under various project licences assuring compliance, staffing and timely execution as well as support other project work carried out in their area. They will support future site development as part of APHA’s development of Science Capability for Animal Health.
• Contribution to research, primarily to develop methods which minimise animal suffering and improve welfare, refine all aspects of animal use and performance of scientific procedures.
• The postholder provides management and direction to APHA’s senior animal technicians and will lead on the generation of data, analysis and publications. The postholder will be responsible for effective use of resources (staff, time, consumables etc) in their area and for effective management oversight of this.
• Communication of science to various stakeholders through presentation of data and knowledge and verbal and written reports for publication in peer reviewed journals, as well as representation at meetings
• Be an active member of the AWERB (Animal Welfare and Ethical review Body), participating in committee meetings as well as having input into project licence applications and study reviews with regards to the 3Rs.
• Support the Named Information Officer in advancing 3Rs in the establishment.
• The postholder will have the opportunity to be an active member of the AWERB (Animal Welfare and Ethical review Body), participating in committee meetings as well as having input into project licence applications and study reviews with regards to the 3Rs.
• Leadership and support of the implementation of APHA’s Animal Welfare Standards, interacting with scientists and Named people and be proactive in raising any animal welfare concerns.
• The postholder is required to maintain appropriate competence, write and review SOPs and ensure quality compliance in liaison with the Local Quality Manager. They will participate in internal audits and external inspections and ensure deadlines for closing actions are met. They will be trained to various quality standards, eg GLP, GMP, ISO9001.
• Animal Science degree
• Experience in working with a range of animals. Training is offered to become a Home Office Personal Licence holder if necessary.
• The jobholder must be interested in animal welfare research, particularly applicable to high biocontainment, ideally by evidence of publications, and have a good understanding of data management and statistical analysis.
• The postholder will be required to have excellent communication skills liaising with a diverse range of people, using all modern communication tools, in writing and verbally. They will use electronic communication tools, including online diaries, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Word and Access.

Other Information
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 postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above (progressed by APHA). It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. UK residency is required from 3 years. However, residency qualification may be reduced for certain roles and will be considered on a case by case basis. Please enquire before applying.

Should you be successful at interview you will be required to undertake this security check along with Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. This includes: identity, employment status, nationality and immigration status, criminal records and any other essential pre-employment checks.

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols (Seasonal Influenza, Rabies, Tuberculosis), which requires vaccination. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. They must wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work of the post is considered to be physically demanding.

Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, will apply. The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry.

A valid full driving licence is necessary. Periodic travel within the UK may be required to attend training courses or farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research.

Staff may be required to work rostered on-call duties, 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.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of APHA during the Science Capability for Animal Health development.
APHA offers a wide range of CPD and further development opportunities, eg Masters programme or PhD, and an excellent benefit package.

A valid full driving licence is necessary.

Animal Science Degree

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

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

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

• Specialist expertise