Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To be responsible for day-to-day culture, titration and authentication of Hazard Group 2 and 3 viruses in NCPV
- Plan, implement and utilise a range of methods in support of activities associated with the operation of NCPV to ensure virus banking and quality control targets are met
- Provide reports through the interpretation and analysis of data, using software and databases as necessary, to accession NCPV viruses and for presentations and publication
- To ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site (ISO 9001, ISO 17025)
- Assist the NCPV team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that all activities operate to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the NCPV project area
- Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the NCPV as required
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
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 job description attached for the full list of duties and responsibilities.
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential Criteria:
Essential
- Postgraduate degree in relevant area or equivalent level of experience
- Experience of working with HG2 viruses in a specialist area
- Good knowledge and practical familiarity with virological techniques AND Specialist training/experience in molecular techniques, cell culture and cell based viral assays.
- Experience of data generation, analysis and reporting
Desirable
- Experience of having worked within a regulated environment. (e.g. ISO9001)#
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Experience of working in a CL3 laboratory
- Experience of lab supervision
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. 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 a face-to-face interview.
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.
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. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation to the panel on the value of the national collection of pathogenic viruses in culture collections, Followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidates experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 5th October 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.
Shortlist: 10th October 2023
Interviews: w/c 17th October 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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.
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.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
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.
