Job summary
The Bacteriology Reference Service (BRD) within UKHSA Public Health Microbiology Division assists in pathogen detection, confirmation and epidemiology, defining outbreaks and identifying transmission pathways. We use established and developmental phenotypic and genotypic methods to identify and type isolates and identify virulence markers. We offer molecular detection and confirmation of the genetic determinants of key genetic targets. BRD undertakes surveillance, advises on outbreak investigation and on public health.
Main duties of the job
As an HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist, the post holder will lead the Staphylococcus and Streptococcus Reference Section (SSRS) supporting the Lead Clinical Scientist of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus in i) delivering a national reference service for staphylococcus and Lancefield Streptococcus species; ii) providing scientific and technical leadership on pathogen specialist area, iii) developing, validating, and introducing novel technologies into references services and delivering R&D.
As a senior member of the Bacterial Reference Department (BRD), the post holder will have line-management responsibilities for a range of staff including biomedical scientists and healthcare scientists.
Location
61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT
Hybrid working options available (Flexible).
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern -Full Time, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working.
About us
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit:UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsibilities section:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Provide effective scientific and professional leadership for the delivery of national reference services of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, including provision of advice, expertise, and specialist information.
- To have oversight of the laboratory and bioinformatics results delivery as appropriate and be responsible to the development of information technology systems and databases as required, including appropriate molecular epidemiology typing databases
- Lead and ensure safe and effective development and evaluation of genomics approaches for the detection and characterisation of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
- Maintain and further develop national and international reputation of national microbiology reference functions, and act in response to national and international health alerts.
- Present research findings at local, national & international scientific meetings. Produce peer-reviewed publications on research, surveys, review articles, book chapters & other outputs.
- Undertake high quality validation of clinical reports.
- Actively contribute to the process of critical review of evidence to support and direct the development of national guidelines and policies on reducing Staphylococcal and Streptococcal infectious diseases.
- To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and ensure the execution of safety responsibilities to reduce risks, as well as implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.
- Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes, including ISO15189 and other accreditation and certification standards.
Please see the job description for a full list of responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsibilities section:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Provide effective scientific and professional leadership for the delivery of national reference services of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, including provision of advice, expertise, and specialist information.
- To have oversight of the laboratory and bioinformatics results delivery as appropriate and be responsible to the development of information technology systems and databases as required, including appropriate molecular epidemiology typing databases
- Lead and ensure safe and effective development and evaluation of genomics approaches for the detection and characterisation of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
- Maintain and further develop national and international reputation of national microbiology reference functions, and act in response to national and international health alerts.
- Present research findings at local, national & international scientific meetings. Produce peer-reviewed publications on research, surveys, review articles, book chapters & other outputs.
- Undertake high quality validation of clinical reports.
- Actively contribute to the process of critical review of evidence to support and direct the development of national guidelines and policies on reducing Staphylococcal and Streptococcal infectious diseases.
- To be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and ensure the execution of safety responsibilities to reduce risks, as well as implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.
- Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes, including ISO15189 and other accreditation and certification standards.
Please see the job description for a full list of responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential/Desirable Criteria
Essential
- PhD in microbiological or other relevant subject area.
- Evidence of continuous professional and academic development. Registration with the HCPC as Clinical Scientist
- Demonstrable expertise/national recognition in the specialist subject area of Streptococcus and/or staphylococcus reference microbiology. Training and teaching at postgraduate level. Detailed knowledge of specialist and reference microbiology functions and their contribution to public health.
- Experience of working in multidisciplinary team in outbreak investigations and of providing expert advice to customers, stakeholders and other external agencies.
- Substantial experience at a senior level including team leadership and management.
- Experience of assessing new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change and improvements in microbiology service delivery. Managing collaborative research projects. Substantial record of peer-reviewed publications on the fields streptococcus and/or staphylococcus research and development and involvement in securing research proposal funding.
- Ability to take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Excellent skills in diplomacy, negotiation and influencing e.g. when liaising with managers/senior staff and NHS experts to move projects forward and in pressurised work environments
- Able to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issue, working to tight and often changing timescales. Ability to plan and manage several high profile projects simultaneously and conduct multidisciplinary scientific projects.
- Troubleshooting and problem solving skills and ability to respond to unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and demonstrate good judgment and decision making skills and develop a range of options
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others and an effective facilitator of team working. Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines. Self-motivating and pro-active
- Committed to a high standard of work, organised and persistent to deliver projects in a timely fashion.
- Evidence of clear and concise scientific writing and high level oral presentation skills at national and international level. Able to convey instructions, ideas and opinions clearly and concisely
- Ability to analyse, interpret and summarise complex data and prepare reports. Presenting evaluation information to meetings/groups where highly qualified experts debate the work the post holder has prepared.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable
- Business or management qualification.
- Experience of financial management including managing budgets
- Experience of business planning and risk management.
Person Specification
Essential/Desirable Criteria
Essential
- PhD in microbiological or other relevant subject area.
- Evidence of continuous professional and academic development. Registration with the HCPC as Clinical Scientist
- Demonstrable expertise/national recognition in the specialist subject area of Streptococcus and/or staphylococcus reference microbiology. Training and teaching at postgraduate level. Detailed knowledge of specialist and reference microbiology functions and their contribution to public health.
- Experience of working in multidisciplinary team in outbreak investigations and of providing expert advice to customers, stakeholders and other external agencies.
- Substantial experience at a senior level including team leadership and management.
- Experience of assessing new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change and improvements in microbiology service delivery. Managing collaborative research projects. Substantial record of peer-reviewed publications on the fields streptococcus and/or staphylococcus research and development and involvement in securing research proposal funding.
- Ability to take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action. Excellent skills in diplomacy, negotiation and influencing e.g. when liaising with managers/senior staff and NHS experts to move projects forward and in pressurised work environments
- Able to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issue, working to tight and often changing timescales. Ability to plan and manage several high profile projects simultaneously and conduct multidisciplinary scientific projects.
- Troubleshooting and problem solving skills and ability to respond to unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and demonstrate good judgment and decision making skills and develop a range of options
- Self-motivated and able to motivate others and an effective facilitator of team working. Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines. Self-motivating and pro-active
- Committed to a high standard of work, organised and persistent to deliver projects in a timely fashion.
- Evidence of clear and concise scientific writing and high level oral presentation skills at national and international level. Able to convey instructions, ideas and opinions clearly and concisely
- Ability to analyse, interpret and summarise complex data and prepare reports. Presenting evaluation information to meetings/groups where highly qualified experts debate the work the post holder has prepared.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable
- Business or management qualification.
- Experience of financial management including managing budgets
- Experience of business planning and risk management.
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).
