Mycoplasma Scientist and Laboratory Manager (ID 4785)


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£34,434 to £34,434 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	KT15 3NB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	7 Sept 2026
Closing date:	17 Sept 2026

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Summary

Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? 

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 Department of Bacteriology is seeking a scientist in the Mycoplasma Team. You will support Defra-funded and National and International Reference Laboratory functions focussed on surveillance and research of exotic veterinary Mycoplasma species, comprising delivery of serological and other tests and developing new methods to reduce disease risk. You will provide scientific, technical and analytical skills, working within a multidisciplinary team and with others within, and external to the Agency. You will support the emergency response diagnostic capability of the Mycoplasma team.

We can also offer you a fully funded Apprenticeship at Level 5 in Laboratory Management (Technical Scientist) at the next available intake. There are specific qualifications required to undertake this apprenticeship.

Working within the Mycoplasma Team provide delivery of bacteriological science for Defra and a range of commercial customers including academia and those in the veterinary bioscience/pharmaceutical sector within the Mycoplasma Team. You will be expected to work flexibly to contribute to diagnostic testing and underpinning scientific projects, with opportunity to develop deep Mycoplasma serological expertise and act as test and laboratory manager. Scientific activities are likely to include some of the following: -

Culture of Mycoplasma, on specialist media isolated from a wide range of biological samples (e.g., tissues, fluids, swabs, or environmental samples).
Phenotypic tests including immunoassay (including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum agglutination and other immunodiagnostic approaches
antimicrobial or disinfectant resistance susceptibility testing such as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
Speciation of bacteria by genetic, serological and other approaches.
Molecular tests including DNA/RNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or isothermal amplification.
Analysis of data generated from phenotypic, molecular, and immunological techniques.
Preparation of data in tabular or graphical formats (using MS Excel, PowerPoint, Graphpad), for presentation in reports and manuscripts.
Responsibility as a room officer for a laboratory, with opportunity to develop as test and laboratory manager.
Working to quality (9001:2015 or UKAS 17025) and the latest version of the APHA safety policies and standards.
Quality assurance testing of media.
Participating and assisting with preparation of bacterial biological material in vivo infection studies.
Support for working on underpinning research and development opportunities might be required.
Working to tight deadlines of commercial customers and outbreak response.
Line management duties.

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