Molecular Microbiologist (ID4452)
| Posting date: | 15 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,060 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Pro-rata salary for job share This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to receive an additional pay supplement of £2,500 upon appointment |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 May 2026 |
| Location: | KT15 3NB |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 455987/1 |
Summary
Do you love working as part of a team, bringing an enthusiastic approach every day?
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.
This role will lead the development of molecular mycobacteriology as a core research discipline within the Mammalian Tuberculosis Research & Development Workgroup. The postholder will establish a strategic research portfolio, secure competitive funding, and provide scientific leadership to advance APHA’s capabilities in the detection, characterisation and understanding of mycobacterial pathogens relevant to animal health, public health, and environmental transmission.
Key Responsibilities
Research Leadership & Grant Acquisition
- Develop and lead a programme of innovative research in molecular mycobacteriology.
- Prepare high quality grant proposals and secure funding from Defra, UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), and other competitive sources.
- Build external collaborations with academic, governmental, and international partners to strengthen APHA’s research impact.
Method Development & Diagnostic Innovation
- Design, evaluate and implement molecular methods for detecting mycobacteria in clinical and environmental samples.
- Develop and validate nucleic acid–based assays for species and subspecies identification, including multiplex diagnostic platforms.
Culture, Phenotyping & Laboratory Optimisation
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to refine and optimise mycobacterial culture methods across host species and sample types.
- Support improvements to APHA’s CL3 laboratory workflows and ensure alignment with biosafety and quality assurance standards.
Capacity Building & People Leadership
- Supervise, train and mentor research scientists, technicians and students.
- Support career development within the workgroup and champion high research standards, reproducibility and laboratory safety.
Fundamental Biology & Epidemiological Relevance
According to experience:
- Investigate molecular mechanisms underlying mycobacterial pathogenicity, physiology, and infection stage–specific biomarkers.
- Apply functional genomics to support improved diagnostics, molecular epidemiology, and intervention strategies.
Study environmental survival and persistence of Mycobacterium bovis and other members of the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex, including resistance to disinfectants, and relate findings to disease transmission pathways and control strategies.
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