UK Health Security Agency

Team Leader

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Job title - Team Leader

Profession- Virologist

Directorate - Specialist Microbiology & Laboratories

Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours

No of Roles - 1

Contract Type - Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

Location - Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG

Working Pattern

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C's are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.

Closing Date - 28/05/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

Interview Date - W/C 12/06/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Main duties of the job

  • Use scientific knowledge and expertise to lead, develop and co-ordinate diagnostic support and research programmes for ACDP Hazard Group 3 and 4 pathogens, in conjunction with other HCM Project Team Leaders and department senior management
  • To be an active worker in CL3 and CL4 laboratories and participate in projects developing and implementing assays for emerging highly pathogenic viruses, to support the HCM research and clinical strategy
  • To work across sites (Colindale and Porton) and across multidisciplinary teams, both within UKHSA and with those of other national and international institutes
  • To identify and implement new techniques and technologies that will support and enhance HCM capability and delivery of clinical and research projects
  • To develop and nurture links with external organisations (e.g. in academia and industry)
  • To seek out and secure external funding opportunities, where appropriate
  • To take a lead role in the preparation of reports, manuscripts for publication, and in presenting results internally and externally
  • To support the group manager and project team in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
  • To support the maintenance of health and safety competence to the national occupational standard 'Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety' (NOS HSS1)

About us

Based between UKHSA Porton and Colindale (London) sites, the High Containment Microbiology (HCM) department undertakes work on the highest categorisation of human and animal pathogens, those at ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) and SAPO (Specified Animal Pathogens Order) Hazard Group 4, to support UK and international clinical and research needs. The main roles of the department are to:

  • deliver efficient effective co-ordination of response to disease outbreaks by high consequence pathogens
  • to ensure the provision of trained and competent staff to work at high containment for the UK clinical and public health need
  • to develop and implement a scientific strategy to keep the area at the cutting edge of scientific and technological advances for working with high consequence pathogens
  • to conduct research and development activities for ACDP4 and SAPO4 pathogens.

The High Containment Microbiology Team Leader will based at UKHSA Porton, lead and manage project teams, working closely with other team leaders in the department to ensure the successful delivery of clinical and research projects on Hazard Group 4 viruses. They will lead the development and optimisation of a range of virology and immunological assays for these viruses, identifying and implementing new techniques and technology to enhance the department's capability for virus detection.

Details

Date posted

16 May 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£49,592 to £58,769 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

RPO002832

Job locations

Porton Down

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
  • To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal

High Containment Microbiology Senior Management, Project Team Leaders, General Project Managers, General Project Managers, Project Team Leaders, Scientists, Corporate Safety Team, Quality Assurance

External

Customers, Scientists, Regulatory Bodies.

Essential Criteria:

  • PhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology, immunology, microbiology
  • Extensive post-doctoral experience in virology and/or high containment microbiology. Practical knowledge of a wide range of molecular virology methods.
  • Demonstrated experience working in primary containment (e.g. Class III MSCs and flexible film isolators), at ACDP Containment Levels 3 and 4
  • Demonstrable expertise in setting up and successfully leading scientific projects, meeting targets and complying with safety, quality and financial systems
  • Demonstrated experience training, managing and leading project teams
  • Demonstrated considerable expertise communicating scientific work effectively, e.g. through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
  • Experience of working in clinical laboratories, and of compliance with different regulatory frameworks

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.

Selection Process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1000 words

This part of the selection process should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, and 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. This will be used in sifting process and will be scored.

You should provide examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role. We suggest using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to demonstrate real-life examples for the specified essential criteria. Please note, only information provided within the stated word count will be considered.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview

Stage 2: Panel Interview

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview. You will be asked to do a 10 minute presentation on a topic given to you prior to the interview

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together
  • Leadership
  • Delivering at Pace

Reserve List:

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Benefits

  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks. The successful candidate maybe asked to obtain SC level clearance.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
  • To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal

High Containment Microbiology Senior Management, Project Team Leaders, General Project Managers, General Project Managers, Project Team Leaders, Scientists, Corporate Safety Team, Quality Assurance

External

Customers, Scientists, Regulatory Bodies.

Essential Criteria:

  • PhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology, immunology, microbiology
  • Extensive post-doctoral experience in virology and/or high containment microbiology. Practical knowledge of a wide range of molecular virology methods.
  • Demonstrated experience working in primary containment (e.g. Class III MSCs and flexible film isolators), at ACDP Containment Levels 3 and 4
  • Demonstrable expertise in setting up and successfully leading scientific projects, meeting targets and complying with safety, quality and financial systems
  • Demonstrated experience training, managing and leading project teams
  • Demonstrated considerable expertise communicating scientific work effectively, e.g. through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.
  • Experience of working in clinical laboratories, and of compliance with different regulatory frameworks

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.

Selection Process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1000 words

This part of the selection process should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, and 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. This will be used in sifting process and will be scored.

You should provide examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role. We suggest using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to demonstrate real-life examples for the specified essential criteria. Please note, only information provided within the stated word count will be considered.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview

Stage 2: Panel Interview

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview. You will be asked to do a 10 minute presentation on a topic given to you prior to the interview

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together
  • Leadership
  • Delivering at Pace

Reserve List:

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Benefits

  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks. The successful candidate maybe asked to obtain SC level clearance.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Person Specification

Education & Qaulifications

Essential

  • oPhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology, immunology, microbiology
Person Specification

Education & Qaulifications

Essential

  • oPhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology, immunology, microbiology

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.

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

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.

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

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton Down

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton Down

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

lead recruiter

sophie rigney

sophie.rigney@reed.com

Details

Date posted

16 May 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£49,592 to £58,769 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

RPO002832

Job locations

Porton Down

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)