Food Water and Environmental Research Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Implement and utilise a range of methods/ assays/ techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and document storage of materials generated.
• Lead selected project areas to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Establish links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
• Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSAs Laboratory Code of Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To maintain health and safety competence to UKHSA standards.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values commensurate with grade.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview either face to face or via video.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

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.

Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 27th September 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Complaint process

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years' postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.

Experience

Essential

• Good knowledge and practical familiarity with virology techniques
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
• Evidence of leading projects/project teams
• At least one years' experience in area relevant to the project (e.g. food/water microbiology / virology)
• Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
• Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly

Desirable

• Specialist training/experience in specific methods required for the post
• Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. UKAS accreditation to ISO 17025)

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

UKHSA Porton Down

Porton Down

SP4 0JG

Employer's website

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