SASA are a Division of the Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate and are a community of 170 scientists, inspectors, policy professionals and support staff. We have responsibility for providing a range of services in support of arable agriculture, horticulture, food, the environment and the wider rural economy. We are the certifying authority for seed potatoes in Scotland and provide advice and scientific services to the ARE Directorate and stakeholders in the potato industry.
The Bacteriologist role sits within the Potato, Virology and Zoology branch. The Branch's, core function is to provide a diagnostic testing service on a range of samples to meet the Scottish Government’s commitments in relation to Plant and Bee Health legislation and Seed Potato Classification.
Using a range of techniques such as DNA extraction and qPCR, you will be responsible for the day to day routine testing and diagnosis of potato and plant material for Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp. You will also work closely with and provide support to the Potato Bacteriologist.
You will report directly to the Potato Bacteriologist and work alongside Potato pathologists within the branch, and other bacteriologists within the Plant Health branch.
The work of the Bacteriologist is performed predominantly in the laboratory and glasshouse, this can also include field work subject to survey results. There will be limited opportunities to work from home.
• Participate in field work to test Scotland’s watercourses for the presence of Dickeya spp. including identifying areas to be sampled and ensuring the necessary equipment and labware/media is available.
• Maintain records of tests performed using a bespoke database, ensuring that data is entered accurately and in compliance with the quality management system.
• Provide laboratory support for the Potato Bacteriologist with ongoing externally funded projects concerning blackleg disease of potato.
• Assist in testing potato tubers received from internal/external customers for Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp. Liaise with customers to keep them updated on progress of tests.
• Assist the Bacteriology team with testing for the non-indigenous potato pathogens Ralstonia solanacearum (potato brown rot) and Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (potato ring rot) when necessary.
Competencies
Teamwork
Self-Awareness
Communications and Engagement
Customer Service
No specific qualifications are required for this role.
Essential Criteria
1. Experience of microbiology and good laboratory practice including pathogen diagnosis - preferably plant pathogens, and utilising a range of methodologies including classical and molecular techniques.
2. A team player, working well with others but can carry out individual tasks as required with the minimum of supervision.
3. Well organised and able to respond to competing priorities, adapting skills and resources to changing circumstances.
4. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely to a range of audiences.
Location
Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ
This role is based predominantly in the laboratory and glasshouse, this can also include field work subject to survey results. There will be limited opportunities to work from home.
Interview and Assessment
Interviews are anticipated to take place in early June but may be subject to change.
Interview questions will be provided in advance.
Minimum time in post
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 12 months.
HOW TO APPLY & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
How to apply
To apply for this post, you will need to provide the information requested below via the online application process.
You must fully complete and submit an online application via the website before the closing date using evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.
Additional information
For further information, please download and review the “Person Specification” and "Science Specialist Competency Framework" which you will find below.
Science Specialist Competency Framework
The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.
For information regarding this post please contact Greig.Cahill@sasa.gov.scot.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you have strong scientific skills and are interested in this role but your past experience or qualifications don’t align perfectly, we still strongly encourage you to apply. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or social economic background.
Scottish Government's ambition is to be a world leading, diverse employer where people can be themselves at work. We want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via scottishgovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot.
As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.
Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.
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