Location
Bristol, UK

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£71,178 per annum

About the Role
Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, working on behalf of the Scottish and Welsh Governments. Our Science Directorate delivers high quality, impactful multidisciplinary science to support UK Government in protecting animal, public and plant health for the benefit of the environment and economy. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation, and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

The Bacteriology Department is seeking an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Disease Consultant. This role is for a veterinarian with postgraduate qualifications or substantial relevant experience. Based within the Bacteriology Department, you will provide scientific and technical expertise to support surveillance, diagnosis, prevention and control of bacterial diseases affecting animal and public health. You will lead scientific activities, provide evidence-based advice, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and contribute to research, policy development and disease control programmes. Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, along with expertise in bacteriology and disease surveillance, are essential.

As part of the Bacterial Diseases and Food Safety (BDFS) Portfolio leadership team, you will help set the portfolio direction with particular emphasis on AMR. Key responsibilities include joint leadership of AMR activities across APHA, consultancy to Defra, Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and international bodies such as WOAH, FAO, FSA, BSAC, EFSA and EMA, management of the UK National Reference Laboratory for AMR in the veterinary sector, delivery of surveillance and research projects, and contribution to policy and outbreak investigations.

You will also support APHA’s WOAH reference laboratory status, provide AMR surveillance summaries, collaborate with public health institutes to advance One Health AMR work, contribute to the Salmonella Steering Group, review testing portfolios, disseminate research findings, and contribute to strategic planning and emergency preparedness related to AMR.

This role requires a commitment to delivering high quality science, effective stakeholder engagement, and leadership within a multidisciplinary team.

Experience
- Scientific research and field-based epidemiological investigations.
- In-depth knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, particularly bacterial diseases of animals and bacterial zoonoses.
- Experience with phenotypic and genotypic methods of AMR detection.
- Proven ability to work with a range of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of farming and food production.
- Working knowledge of ISO9001 and understanding of ISO17025 principles.
- Strong communication and team working skills.
- Proficient written and spoken English.

About you
We are looking for a motivated and collaborative professional with strong leadership and communication skills, capable of providing expert scientific advice and managing complex projects. You should be able to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and engage with diverse stakeholders across government, industry and international organisations.

Qualifications
- Degree in Veterinary Medicine.
- Postgraduate qualification or evidence of significant relevant experience.
- Registered with the Royal Veterinary College.
- Demonstrable proficiency in written and spoken English, evidenced by either undergraduate veterinary training in English, sufficient command of English for a public sector customer-facing role, or an IELTS score of 7 across all components within 24 months of application.