Public Health England

Covid-19 Serology Serosurveillance Scientist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

PHE Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release. The site is certified to ISO 9001: 2015 and a number of laboratories are accredited to UKAS ISO 15189: 2012. PHE Porton also hold approval to provide IBMS registration and Virology specialist portfolios to provide a diagnostic service to the UK.

In addition, the centre undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufactures a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics

Option 3 External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Main duties of the job

As a serosurveillance scientist, you will provide expertise and capability to the COVID-19 serosurveillance laboratory based at PHE Porton Down. This role encompasses sample reception and laboratory testing on a wide range of high-throughput serology platforms, as a mechanism to determine infection/vaccination serosurveillance, undertake collaborative research projects (e.g. SIREN) and inform policy decisions. Some duties will include undertaking a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting the needs of PHE Porton service as well as producing and maintaining reagents to support current testing strategies and for the development of new assays. The postholder will also assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard whilst conforming to the working standards outlined by UKAS ISO 15189 and ISO 9001: 2015

About us

On 18 August 2020, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced plans to establish the National Institute for Health Protection and consult on the best future options for strengthening health improvement and other public health functions in the wider system. Public Health England and many of its employees will be in scope for transition to new organisations in Spring 2021. Any new or current employees working for Public Health England during this time, will receive appropriate communications and consultation prior to any formal transfer taking place. Employees who compulsorily transfer to successor bodies will remain on their existing contractual terms and conditions and this applies both to current employees and those recruited during the transition. The recruitment, growth & development of our workforce is vital for the continuing success of PHE and the future National Institute for Health Protection.

Details

Date posted

30 June 2021

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£23,139 to £28,195 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

7 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

919-HG-34115530-EXX

Job locations

PHE Porton

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the person specification (available online) as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Public Health England provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nations health. Its ambition is to lead nationally, and enable locally, a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England, regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge and skills. PHE is an executive agency of the Department of Health.

For further information / an informal discussion about the post, please contact Ashley Otter (Ashley.Otter@phe.gov.uk) or Silvia DArcangelo (Silvia.Darcangelo@phe.gov.uk) in the first instance.

Public Health England promotes diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunities employer

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit PHE Website

Job description

Job responsibilities

Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the person specification (available online) as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Public Health England provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nations health. Its ambition is to lead nationally, and enable locally, a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England, regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge and skills. PHE is an executive agency of the Department of Health.

For further information / an informal discussion about the post, please contact Ashley Otter (Ashley.Otter@phe.gov.uk) or Silvia DArcangelo (Silvia.Darcangelo@phe.gov.uk) in the first instance.

Public Health England promotes diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunities employer

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit PHE Website

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Biological Sciences Degree (in Biomedical science or related subject (eg Microbiology

Desirable

  • HCPC registration

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Proficient in a range of assays including microbiological, immunoassay, virological and molecular biology methods.
  • Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS
  • Working knowledge of LIMS

Desirable

  • Experience in immunofluorescence assays
  • Experience of working at CL3

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Good communication, organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to work in a team and individually
  • Intermediate keyboard skills
  • Ability to prioritize activities and workload against conflicting demands

Desirable

  • Evidence of training and mentoring other staff
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Biological Sciences Degree (in Biomedical science or related subject (eg Microbiology

Desirable

  • HCPC registration

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Proficient in a range of assays including microbiological, immunoassay, virological and molecular biology methods.
  • Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS
  • Working knowledge of LIMS

Desirable

  • Experience in immunofluorescence assays
  • Experience of working at CL3

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Good communication, organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to work in a team and individually
  • Intermediate keyboard skills
  • Ability to prioritize activities and workload against conflicting demands

Desirable

  • Evidence of training and mentoring other staff

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health England

Address

PHE Porton

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health England

Address

PHE Porton

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Technical Lead - Serosurveillance

Silvia D'Arcangelo

Silvia.Darcangelo@phe.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

30 June 2021

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£23,139 to £28,195 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

7 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

919-HG-34115530-EXX

Job locations

PHE Porton

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Public Health England's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)