Lab Assistant/Technician| 12 Month Contract | (Inside IR35) | Hybrid | Starting ASAP

Day Rate: DOE

Main Duties:

The client has a 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 Directorate and stakeholders in the potato and horticultural industry.

The branch's core function is to provide a diagnostic testing service in support of Scotland's statutory obligation to ensure it remains free of range of quarantine organisms in horticulture and the potato industry.

What do you want this assignment to achieve?

This post will support delivery of a diagnostic service for pathogens of regulatory concern in plant and tuber material associated with the UK Potato Quarantine Unit, imports/exports, certification, plant-passporting inspections and "unknown" pests.

The post will provide support in the delivery of Scotland's annual surveillance, monitoring and testing programmes.

Main Duties :

• Sample receipt and registration, preparation and processing of plant samples for laboratory analysis, provide support with diagnostic testing.
• Maintenance of laboratory, ensuring the necessary equipment, consumables, reagents and labware is available.
• Manual work, lifting and handling large bags of potatoes for testing and sampling of potato material.
• Working within a quality assurance laboratory system. Maintain and up-date Standard Operating Procedures and test records.
• You will report directly to the PSTVd Manager and work alongside plant pathologists and diagnosticians within the branch. This post may include field work in support of surveillance activities. The work can be physical in its nature.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Provide support for the following: receipt, preparation, processing and statutory testing in compliance Standard Operating Procedures and Scottish Government standards.
• Work within a quality assurance management system compliant with UKAS requirements for accredited tests (ISO 17025).
• Good communication and organisational skills are required.
• Previous experience in a laboratory environment is desirable.
• A driving license is desirable but not essential.

This role has been deemed Inside IR35 by the client. Applicants must hold, or be happy to apply for, a valid Basic Disclosure Scotland. Please click the link to apply.