Veterinary Investigation Officer

Veterinary Investigation Officer

Working Hours: Full-Time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Aberdeen

Salary: £49,202 - £57,004 per annum

Admin Reference: AJN/VS/042/24

Closing date for applications: 06 May 2024

The Tem

SRUC is unique in Scotland and one of the largest organisations of its kind in Europe. Our ambitious and exciting vision is to work at local, national and international levels, leading innovation and sustainable development in agriculture and rural sectors.

The School of Veterinary Medicine is based at the Aberdeen campus but encompasses veterinary endeavour (teaching, clinical services and research) across SRUC and thus across Scotland, and includes Veterinary Services in its portfolio.

The Opportunity:

Working within the School of Veterinary Medicine and under the direction of the Veterinary Centre Manager in conjunction with colleagues responsible for the integration of educational activities, in this role you will:

• Provide an effective, reliable, and efficient farm animal diagnostic and consultancy service to veterinary surgeons in practice and farmers in the area. Key components of this work include the detailed investigation of farm animal disease outbreaks through post-mortem examination, laboratory diagnostic tests and farm disease investigations.
• Maintain a close working relationship with local veterinarians and farmers to facilitate data collection to inform the trends, distribution, and nature of livestock diseases in the area covered by the Aberdeen Hub. Through this work contributing to the local and national disease surveillance functions of SRUC.
• Investigate in detail unusual outbreaks of farm animal disease in collaboration with veterinary colleagues within SRUC and other specialist institutions.
• Contribute to the education of undergraduates within the School of Veterinary Medicine so ensuring they have developed the skills and understanding related to the importance of disease surveillance and herd health management when they move into their graduate roles.
• Undertake research and develop initiatives with colleagues in SRUC SVM, the wider SRUC family and external institutions.
• Contribute as required to SRUC farmer education and awareness campaigns to promote animal welfare.
• Assist with the Animal Health & Welfare Management Programme by providing support to local vets and farmers.
• Participate in disease eradication and control programme being directed by APHA Service by providing appropriate supporting laboratory services as and when required by the Scottish Government.
• Contribute to the advisory, development and research effort of other departments within SRUC. The VIO should liaise with colleagues within the SRUC advisory service (particularly the specialist dairy, beef and sheep agricultural advisors, nutritionists and building advisors) to support a farm animal health advisory service in the local area.
• Carry out any other duties delegated by the SVM Senior Management Team and veterinary managers of the hubs.
• Work for periods at other SRUC Veterinary Services sites as necessary and as directed by the manager of SRUC.

The post-holder will perform additional duties as directed from time to time by the Line Manager. The post holder must use their initiative in the conduct of their work and always apply sound judgement to ensure that they conduct themselves within the framework of SRUC regulations and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in progressive farm animal practice and will preferably have undertaken post graduate study to certificate, masters or diploma level in a given species (cattle, sheep or pigs) or in a related subject eg. pathology. Candidates must have an interest in developing veterinary education to ensure sustainability of veterinary support to the rural environment and be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. They will be required to undertake the 'in-house’ educators programme and encouraged to work towards further qualifications whether species or veterinary education based. Teamwork is essential as is a current UK driving license.

Further details on the requirements of this role can be found in the Job Particulars document which you must read before applying for this role.

Why work for SRUC?

• Generous holidays
• Generous pension contributions (5% employee and 10% employer)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted RAC Membership
• Generous family leave
• Flexible working patterns
• Hybrid working solutions (in some areas)
• Tailored investment in and individuals' learning and development