Internships x 2

Salary:£22,500 plus benefits

Hours:Full time, working no less than 37½ hour per week

Location: Edinburgh, with national and international travel as required

Duration:18-month contract commencing October/November 2016

About the Company

Benchmark was founded in 2000 to help repair and build a global food chain that is more efficient, economical, ethical, environmentally friendly and fit for the future. Benchmark’s unique ability to innovate to make food more plentiful, accessible and sustainable through more responsible and ethical practice sits at the core of its business model.

With an international client base which includes food producers, retailers, industry bodies, pharmaceutical companies and governments, Benchmark is able to access and develop improvements in efficiency at every stage of the food chain, driving forward innovation across agriculture and aquaculture, green technologies, manufacturing, packaging and distribution.

Its partnerships with universities, think tanks, nongovernmental organisations and thought leaders drive research, innovation and solutions which it communicates directly to its clients and market via its world-leading news websites and publications that have a growing global readership of over six million.

The Group has five divisions:

  • Benchmark Animal Health drives improvements to animal health and supports efficient, profitable farming practice by offering products and services that reduce disease challenge, build resilience and establishimmunity.
  • Benchmark Sustainability Science supports its partners in agriculture, aquaculture and the food chain grow and source goodfoodbetter.
  • Benchmark Technical Publishing provides access to expertise, education and knowledge transfer for people and businesses in the agriculture, aquaculture, veterinary and global food supply chain industries.
  • Benchmark Breeding & Genetics drives improvement to animal health, welfare and efficiency by addressing key challenges such as disease, metabolic disorders, reproductive performance and nutritional efficiency.
  • Benchmark Advanced Animal Nutrition – working to develop advanced nutrition and health products for the aquaculture sector that reduce disease and enhance immunity within target species, through the use of probiotics and immuno-stimulants.

Benchmark operates internationally with offices in 27 countries across five continents, employing over 850 people.

Benchmark Animal Health (BAHL)

In operation since 2004, Benchmark Animal Health drives improvements to animal health and support efficient, profitable farming practice by offering products and services that reduce disease challenge, build resilience and establishimmunity. With no sales team, the focus is on supporting multi-disciplinary team of veterinarians, biologists, diagnosticians and research scientists deliver targeted health solutions.

Benchmark Animal Health’s synergy with the wider Benchmark Group affords it a unique insight into the key disease challenges facing their customers in the livestock, companion and aquatic animal sectors. In-house trials units, manufacturing bases and an expert team allows them to combine this field-based evidence with leading technology in order to quickly progress products and solutions through to market.

The team has wide-ranging experience in the manufacture of licensed vaccines and antigens for farm and companion animals, and over two decades of experience in the manufacture of fish vaccines. They are also specialists in the contract manufacture of veterinary vaccines to EU GMP requirements covering all stages of production - from antigen manufacture through to the finished product - as well as providing bespoke vaccine technology transfer and process development services.

Summary of position

Benchmark Animal Health Is offering 2 internships to run from October 2016 to September 2017 for enthusiastic, well qualified graduates to work within its specialist team focused on developing best practice programmes for the sustainable health and welfare of farmed fish.

BAHL has a focus on developing a series of balanced health and welfare programs designed to solve some of the most significant disease challenges facing Salmon and Tilapia aquaculture. The interns will work with the specialist teams of vets, geneticists, nutritionists and scientists working together on these programmes. The intern will be closely involved in all aspects of the projects and will be providing technical and analytical support to the teams including travel to support and report on research and production programmes being conducted in Benchmark facilities and farms around the world.

This is a unique opportunity in approaching fish health and welfare on a global basis and an opportunity to see and be involved in developing best practice programs targeting some of the major disease in fish.

The intern will also have the opportunity to work with our R&D team, gaining insight into the development of our terrestrial animal health management strategy.

Skills and Experience

The successful applicants will have a flexible, can-do attitude, be strong team players with good listening and reporting skills.

They will have a passion for Aquaculture, fish welfare and good scientific method. An interest in statistics and Epidemiology would be valuable assets.

Good Analytical, reporting and computer skills are essential as well as a good understanding of Aquaculture, fish biology, health and production.

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter to by Friday 23rd September. You must have the right to work in the UK.

An Open Day and Interviews will take place on 28th and 29th September 2016 in Edinburgh. Further details will be provided.