Job summary
We are looking for a FW&E Scientist who provide leadership and expertise in developing and implementing FW&E Microbiology service delivery.
The post holder will provide scientific expertise and project management support to the York FW&E Laboratory Unit Head for Food, Water & Environmental Microbiology activities and relevant major grant-funded projects.
The Food, Water and Environmental (FW&E) Microbiology Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities in order to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment.
The FW&E Laboratories provide a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities, hospitals, and commercial clients across England. The laboratories are accredited to ISO 17025 and are recognised as Official Food Control Laboratories for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU
Main duties of the job
Your key responsibilities will include:
- To ensure effective and timely delivery and advice on reference, specialist, and research activities within remit.
Strategy and Leadership
- To provide effective scientific leadership with respect to implementation and provision of end-to-end services for FW&E
- To maximise efficient and flexible use of resources for service delivery.
- To plan, develop, implement and direct with the Lead Public Health Microbiologist and FW&E Unit Heads a long-term strategy and programme of research for the specialist area.
- To adopt new technologies and quality innovations, as required, to maximise the effectiveness of the FW&E services.
Scientific and Epidemiological
Within the defined specialist area(s) to undertake the following scientific and epidemiological functions:
- To advise, as appropriate, FW&E Senior Staff on all aspects of work associated with specialisms, especially implementation of new methods and technologies for service delivery.
- To assess methodologies regularly to provide on-going improvement in services and to provide expert advice and knowledge on the scientific basis of reference service tests and results.
- To develop, evaluate and implement methods relevant to the specialist area.
- To produce peer-reviewed publications on the results of research activities. To develop, review and edit manuscripts, documents, protocols, procedures, guidelines, and other measurable outputs.
About us
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Within defined specialist areas, support Unit Head by undertaking the following functions as required:
- To participate in FW&Es Senior Management Team meetings and, as required, in higher level meetings.
- To develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required
- To support career and professional development of staff within the team.
- To manage staff, conduct staff appraisals of direct reports and manage performance issues as required.
- To ensure the provision of a safe working environment for all staff and visitors.
- To contribute to maintaining a high profile for the specialisms amongst key stakeholders in the UK and abroad.
- To help to maintain laboratory accreditation with UKAS and other agreed national and international standards.
- To act as an advisor and a source of expert and specialist information for the Unit and UKHSA and deputise for Unit Head as required.
Clinical/Professional
- To ensure robust arrangements for Research Governance for activities relating to the specialist areas.
- To ensure the probity and integrity of research undertaken.
- To provide cover for the York FW&E Unit Head by validating reports on the FW&E LIMS.
This vacancy is usingSuccess Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours/Strengths/Ability
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability (in no more than 1250 words)
At sift stage you will be assessed on essential criteria and this will be in the form of a CV/ Application form and 1250 word Statement of Suitability
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history (thiswill be used in sifting process and will be scored)
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress tointerview
STAGE 2 INTERVIEWAll candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake an interview.
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on a blended interview against a mixture of Behaviours and Strength elements of Success Profiles.
- External recruitment; Fair & Open Competition (FOC). (including by definition internal applicants)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Within defined specialist areas, support Unit Head by undertaking the following functions as required:
- To participate in FW&Es Senior Management Team meetings and, as required, in higher level meetings.
- To develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required
- To support career and professional development of staff within the team.
- To manage staff, conduct staff appraisals of direct reports and manage performance issues as required.
- To ensure the provision of a safe working environment for all staff and visitors.
- To contribute to maintaining a high profile for the specialisms amongst key stakeholders in the UK and abroad.
- To help to maintain laboratory accreditation with UKAS and other agreed national and international standards.
- To act as an advisor and a source of expert and specialist information for the Unit and UKHSA and deputise for Unit Head as required.
Clinical/Professional
- To ensure robust arrangements for Research Governance for activities relating to the specialist areas.
- To ensure the probity and integrity of research undertaken.
- To provide cover for the York FW&E Unit Head by validating reports on the FW&E LIMS.
This vacancy is usingSuccess Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours/Strengths/Ability
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability (in no more than 1250 words)
At sift stage you will be assessed on essential criteria and this will be in the form of a CV/ Application form and 1250 word Statement of Suitability
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history (thiswill be used in sifting process and will be scored)
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress tointerview
STAGE 2 INTERVIEWAll candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake an interview.
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on a blended interview against a mixture of Behaviours and Strength elements of Success Profiles.
- External recruitment; Fair & Open Competition (FOC). (including by definition internal applicants)
Person Specification
Statement of Suitability
Essential
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant professional qualification: either full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist, or an ACS Certificate of Attainment, or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 12 months
- Eligibility to be a food examiner
- PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant subject, i.e., microbiology or biological science
- Educated to degree level in relevant subject, i.e, microbiology, or biological science
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive (post-doctoral) expertise in food, water and environmentally transmitted infections
- Knowledge of food, water and environmental surveillance, public health surveillance, WGS and downstream data analysis.
- Substantive (postdoctoral) experience in Public Health microbiology in reference and/or diagnostic settings
- Demonstrable experience of leading complex projects and project management skills
- Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Skills
Essential
- Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/others
- Able to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
- Ability to take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
- Experience of molecular microbiological techniques and their application
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
- Able to prioritize own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
Desirable
- Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools
Behaviours
Essential
- changing and improving
- working together
- Developing self and others
Person Specification
Statement of Suitability
Essential
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant professional qualification: either full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist, or an ACS Certificate of Attainment, or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 12 months
- Eligibility to be a food examiner
- PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant subject, i.e., microbiology or biological science
- Educated to degree level in relevant subject, i.e, microbiology, or biological science
Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive (post-doctoral) expertise in food, water and environmentally transmitted infections
- Knowledge of food, water and environmental surveillance, public health surveillance, WGS and downstream data analysis.
- Substantive (postdoctoral) experience in Public Health microbiology in reference and/or diagnostic settings
- Demonstrable experience of leading complex projects and project management skills
- Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Skills
Essential
- Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/others
- Able to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
- Ability to take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
- Experience of molecular microbiological techniques and their application
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
- Able to prioritize own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
Desirable
- Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools
Behaviours
Essential
- changing and improving
- working together
- Developing self and others
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
