Job responsibilities
Main Duties of the Job
- To provide scientific support to the NVAP technical lead in the day-to-day operational management of laboratory-based genomic programmes of work
- Provision of expert technical advice to NVAP collaborating laboratories performing pathogen genomics
- Lead on multiple laboratory-based genomic projects to establish sequencing approaches for specific pathogens and sample types in the context of surveillance in public health laboratory settings
- Support/lead (as appropriate) on training of international partners either abroad or in the UK on conventional next generation sequencing genomic technologies
- Develop genomics (laboratory) work plans to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost, and quality constraints including tracking and reporting against delivery milestones.
- Responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the agreed project work packages and deliverables
- Provide technical input across wider activities of the NVAP team e.g. procurement and other complimentary programmes of work
- Manage, and maintain stakeholder relationships and know when to seek senior UKHSA level support. Manage internal and external relationships as appropriate.
- Identify and monitor project risks and issues. Develop mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate. Identify and work in related projects to manage interdependencies.
- Support effective governance and decision making. Provide reporting and engage in processes that hold you, as Senior Scientist, to account for delivery of assigned work packages
- Participate in the training, mentoring and supervision of junior staff within NVAP
- Support collaborator requirements e.g. scientific manuscript development and reporting of results
- Identify funding opportunities and draft scientific proposals
- To be responsible for all aspects of health, safety and welfare of self, staff, and visitors as per the UKHSA Health & Safety requirement and ensuring attendance of self and staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
Communication and Key working relationships
The postholder will develop effective working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals internal and external to the NVAP team, including UKHSA staff, clinical, and non-clinical staff, scientists, academics, corporate staff e.g. HR and Payroll, managers, and Directors.
Personal and Professional Development
Undergo a programme of ongoing development and education, including and appraisal process, to build on existing knowledge and develop skills to meet the behaviours and competencies required to undertake the role.
Essential skills:
- Masters in pathogen genomics or a related discipline
- Expertise in pathogen genomics with a minimum of 5 years of practical laboratory experience in genomic sequencing
- Understanding of working in laboratories in low resource settings and understanding of global health issues and the international health architecture
- Significant experience of working with clinical samples for viral or bacterial pathogens
- An analytical and investigative mind with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to use your initiative
- Capacity to work well under pressure and a flexible approach to work with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances
- Confidence operating in a complex and challenging environment with changing priorities
- Strong understanding of health care systems with emphasis on public health laboratory functions
- Excellent oral and written ability in English including drafting, editing, and proof-reading correspondence and ability to translate technical concepts and information into plain English accessible to non-commercial staff
- Ability to manage a complex and dynamic stakeholder network
- Excellent time management/ organisation skills
- Ability to self-motivate and proactively seek information that may need to be communicated
- Excellent presentation skills and communicating complex scientific concepts to a wider audience
- Experience hosting/managing meetings with large numbers of attendees
- Computer skills with proficiency with Microsoft Office suite particularly Word and PowerPoint
Desirable Skills:
- PhD in pathogen genomics or related discipline.
- Experience and understanding of work within a regulated environment (i.e., ISO 9001; GLP, CPA, UKAS).
- Track record of publications and submitting proposals to promote and develop research areas.
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
Stage 1: Application & SiftAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 500 words providing 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 AND a 5 minute presentation, the topic of which will be given to you prior the interview
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the bigger picture
- Managing a quality Service
- Working Together
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.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. 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.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
