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Higher Laboratory Scientist

Posting date:	19 August 2024
Salary:	£34,227 to £39,575 per year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	18 September 2024
Location:	EH26 0PZ
Remote working:	On-site only
Company:	SRUC
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	REQ0118-62309

Summary

About The Team:

SRUC Veterinary Services provides disease surveillance and analytical testing via our Veterinary and Analytical Laboratory and our network of disease surveillance hubs situated throughout Scotland. We offer national veterinary disease surveillance for the Scottish Government and collaborate with APHA to support statutory disease control schemes.

Our Veterinary Services Team are experts in animal disease diagnosis, and we process over one million animal and material samples each year. Close links with research and development activities within SRUC and in several other academic and research institutions ensure that our UK, EU and international clients benefit from practical support coupled with expert scientific advice.

Our suite of services supports clients like vets, farmers and pharmaceutical companies by providing diagnostic testing for farm livestock and companion animals, as well as specific health schemes, livestock health planning, veterinary CPD courses and external quality assessment schemes.

The Opportunity:

An exciting position has arisen for a Higher Laboratory Scientist with a strong background in Microbiology to work within SRUC’s Veterinary Services group, based in Central Analytical Laboratory at the Pentland Science Park near Penicuik. The successful applicant will work as part of a small team of vets, scientists and support staff analysing pathological samples submitted to the laboratory.

The Microbiology team at SRUCVS provide a comprehensive diagnostic service predominantly focusing on farm animals, companion animals and wildlife. In addition, the team are actively involved with disease surveillance, related research projects and student placements.

Duties:

• Culture of various sample types, including post-mortem tissues, in a high-throughput environment.
  
• Bacterial identification by use of MALDI-TOF MS and phenotyping (e.g. API strips).
  
• Antimicrobial sensitivity testing by disc diffusion.
  
• Phenotypic identification of fungi, including dermatophytes.
  
• Reporting results in LIMS.
  
• Microscopic examination including preparation and interpretation of Gram, MZN & ZN smears, and urinalysis.
  
• To help maintain the current UKAS accreditation status of the laboratory including internal and external quality assessment exercises, writing Standard Operating Procedures, and reviewing/troubleshooting anomalous results.
  
• Assisting with test validation projects, when required.
  
• Procurement of laboratory consumables and equipment.
  
• Communication with internal and external clients.
  
• Line management responsibilities.
  
• Day-to-day supervision of the laboratory.
  
• Deputising for the Microbiology Team Leader.
  
• Staff training.
  
• Hosting students during placements (e.g. veterinary medicine students, school students).
  

  Minimum Qualifications:

  The ideal candidate should be educated to SCQF level 9 or above or have equivalent experience.

  For full person specification, please read the Job Particulars document.

  Eligibility for Sponsorship:

  For the purposes of sponsorship, this role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances.

  Admin ref: AMT/VS/014/24

  Why work for SRUC?

  • Generous annual leave
    
  • Enhanced pension contributions (5% employee and 10% employer)
    
  • Cycle to work scheme
    
  • Discounted RAC Membership
    
  • Generous family leave
    
  • Flexible working patterns
    
  • Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)
    
  • Tailored investment in and individuals' learning and development
    

    How to Apply:

    Please complete an online application form by pressing “apply”.
    Please read the Job Particulars document before applying.

    SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy.

    SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Disability Confident Employer” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.

    SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.