Team Lead for AMR Research (ID 4587)
| Posting date: | 29 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,060 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Pro-rata 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: | 15 May 2026 |
| Location: | KT15 3NB |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 456801/1 |
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.
We are seeking a Team Lead for the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Research Team within the Bacterial Characterisation workgroup, in the Department of Bacteriology, who will provide strategic leadership in scientific project delivery and team management. They will lead and contribute scientific expertise to multidisciplinary research and surveillance projects, including outbreak investigations, with a focus on AMR, bacterial characterisation, and bioinformatics analysis. They will also ensure the effective allocation of resources, compliance with safety and quality standards, and the development of staff and students within their Team. They will work across BAC3 and the Department of Bacteriology, as well as collaborate across the Agency in areas of interest for the Bacterial Disease and Food Safety portfolio.
- Lead bacterial isolation and characterisation projects within the workgroup, and the department when requested. Applying advanced microbiological, molecular, and bioinformatics techniques to address scientific questions and communicate findings to stakeholders.
- Deliver day to day line management of a team of five staff in all areas of reporting, learning and development. Making sure they liaise closely with Defra/Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and non-Defra project leads to ensure appropriate resources are made available to deliver work in a timely manner and on budget.
- Work closely with the BAC3 Workgroup Leader to steer scientific direction, contribute to strategic planning, and identify opportunities to enhance project objectives and innovative research ideas through regular review of emerging scientific developments and literature.
- Lead AMR research team meetings, ensuring regular discussion of scientific progress, data interpretation, and management actions.
- Ensure timely, and regular, contributions are made to the BAC3 Work Group Leader for monthly SIS (Successes, Issues and Suggestions) and BDFS (Bacterial Diseases and Food Safety) Lead Scientist reports.
- Work with the Bioinformatics Team to manage Scientific Computing Environment (SCE) resources for the BAC3 workgroup, ensuring efficient access to computational tools, data storage, and pipeline functionality to support bioinformatics and microbiological research.
- Mentor and train staff, and PhD students in lab and analytical techniques, providing guidance, supervision, and technical support to promote capability building. Support managers in the supervision and direction of student projects.
- Ensure all work complies with relevant health, safety, and quality standards, including the maintenance and review of SOPs, risk assessments, and documentation for working with new organisms, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and visitors.
- Participate in internal and external audits, ensuring timely closure of actions, and provide training in laboratory techniques and computer analysis to staff and students.
- Support career development within the workgroup and champion high research standards, reproducibility and laboratory safety.
- Lead, contribute and support the dissemination of scientific findings through leading/producing peer-reviewed publications, ensuring high-quality and impactful research outputs, including preparation of project reports for external funders.
- Oversee Room Officer responsibilities for laboratories and offices in Building 4, ensuring compliance with SHW-S-062 (Room Officer Duties). Manage the team to maintain quality standards (e.g. temperature monitoring, equipment calibration) and safety measures (e.g. chemical labelling, safe working environment, and equipment maintenance) across multiple labs.
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