Salary: £38,795. Civil service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, working on behalf of the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of more than 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to protect animal and plant health for the benefit of our environment and economy.

The National and International Brucella Reference Laboratory (WOAH and FAO), within the APHA Bacteriology Division, is seeking a research scientist to develop and validate improved immunodiagnostic tests for brucellosis. This is a laboratory position working at our Surrey location.

We are looking for motivated applicants with strong communication skills who will work closely with colleagues internally and external partners to help achieve scientific goals. Applicants must have a background in leading the delivery of research projects, from designing and conducting experiments using relevant technologies, through to preparing manuscripts for publication and giving oral presentations.

Applicants are sought who have a strong scientific background, extensive relevant experience, and extensive knowledge of bacteriology. Applicants must have a graduate or postgraduate qualification in a relevant biological subject (e.g. biology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry or similar).

The full job specification and role requirements can be found attached to this vacancy.

The inclusion, support and development of our people matters to us. We aim to support the professional lives and personal well-being of everyone at APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, contributory pension, employee rewards and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working.

Other information

The Weybridge site is a national asset of strategic importance due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all mail carriers listed on the APHA Weybridge website must hold a valid Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) security clearance or higher. It is up to each person applying for a position at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the CTC’s accommodation standards. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK and have continuous residence in the UK for a period of at least 3 years.

Closing date: October 26, 2025.