Senior Scientific Officer - Severity

Location: Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex

Closing date: 03 10 2011

Ref:  RA/535

Salary: £29,700 - £31,500 per annum dependant on experience plus benefits

The RSPCA research animals department works to ensure critical assessment, on a case by case basis, of the necessity and justification for animal use, and the implementation of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) in science, industry and academia. This new post will focus on reducing substantial suffering within animal experimentation.

This role will include:

• Initiating and carrying out projects that will lead to: (i) the avoidance of procedures/models that cause substantial suffering; (ii) implementation of more humane endpoints; (iii) refinement so that animals do not experience substantial suffering, (iv) reductions in numbers within projects that may cause substantial suffering; (v) reduced risk of such projects being repeated or duplicated.
• Researching and writing scientific reports, submissions and responses to consultations to raise awareness and seek practical change that will reduce substantial suffering, and disseminating them to target audiences including the scientific community, government and other relevant bodies.
• Representing at high level, to government bodies including the European Commission, scientists in industry and academia and their professional bodies, the Society's policies and recommendations on animal welfare in relation to substantial suffering.
• Attending and giving presentations, as a representative of the RSPCA, at scientific or governmental meetings and UK or international conferences.
• Establishing and expanding contacts and promoting animal welfare and Society policy by visiting research establishments and other relevant institutions.
• Organising, publicising and chairing meetings and workshops; producing and circulating, or submitting for journal publication, subsequent meeting reports.
• Translating scientific reports into briefings or factsheets for a wider audience, including the general public and RSPCA members.
• Providing specialist knowledge to internal departments to progress initiatives and develop resources.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate a commitment to animal welfare. They should be qualified to PhD level or equivalent in a relevant biological discipline, with relevant postgraduate experience or employment with specific expertise relevant to the use of animals in research or testing. Candidates should possess excellent written and oral communication skills, including word processing skills, and be able to prioritise their own workload, work to deadlines and deal with pressurised situations.

Please note this post involves travel within the UK and Europe.

Application forms can be downloaded from this website, or you can write, quoting reference RA/535 to: Human Resources Department, RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS.

Completed application forms should be sent to the above address, quoting the above reference. Please note that CV's will not be accepted.

Promoting kindness and preventing cruelty to animals

The RSPCA offers excellent benefits including private healthcare, defined contribution pension scheme, childcare vouchers, employee assistance programme and a subsidised staff restaurant.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all sections of the community.