UK Health Security Agency

Clinical Fellow, Rare & Imported Pathogens

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The job is based at the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), UKHSA Porton Down, and is an opportunity to learn about the recognition, diagnosis and management of a wide range of imported and zoonotic diseases. The job is suitable for a trainee ideally towards the end of their training programme, but as a minimum at ST3 or above in microbiology, virology, infectious diseases in single or combined specialty training. Candidates will be expected to have a basic knowledge of laboratory practice in microbiology and virology, and a good understanding of the pathological basis of disease and case management. Under the supervision of the RIPL consultants, the post-holder will form an active member of the clinical team.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities will include:

  • Input into the design and delivery of a national clinical metagenomic next generation sequencing service for imported infection
  • Provision of specialist clinical services and advice within the scope of RIPL's activities relating to the care and treatment of patients, infection control and environmental sampling, acting as a primary point of contact for clinicians.
  • Interpretation and reporting of laboratory results.
  • Taking an active part in the scientific research activities supporting the work of RIPL and the evidence base for the test strategies we employ.
  • Participation in the quality and governance programmes of RIPL to develop an understanding of laboratory management

The primary role will be to develop the national metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) service for imported infection at RIPL. This will include having input into the design and delivery of an end to end service: from the requesting and advising on sample collection from the patient end, the receipt and handling of specimens at RIPL, the wet lab processes and the interpretation and communication of results. Evaluation of this new service as it is starts will be key and regular reporting will be required. Whilst desirable, prior experience of any aspect mNGS is not necessary, but the candidate can anticipate a steep learning curve in a supportive and nurturing environment.

About us

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.

Details

Date posted

16 October 2023

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Specialty registrar

Salary

£43,923 to £63,152 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-KP-50002672-EXT

Job locations

Porton Down UKHSA

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

The candidate will contribute to the development of surveillance mechanisms for mNGS data generated by NHS and non-NHS clinical services through the UKHSA mSCAPE project.

Clinical Services

  • Offer advice to clinicians on testing, result interpretation and patient management.
  • Support the introduction of new diagnostic methodologies
  • Contribute to incident or outbreak investigations.

Research and Development

  • Participate in research at RIPL, particularly developing an mNGS service for imported infection

Quality

  • Support and enhance compliance with ISO15189 and other accreditation/standards.
  • Comply with audit programmes and corrective actions.
  • Appraise and develop the laboratory service.

Information Technology

  • Interpret and report laboratory results using LIMS with a particular focus on mNGS results
  • Contribute to analytical tool development and national epidemiological database analysis/reporting through mSCAPE

Strategy, Policy and Service Development

  • Support the development of a national mNGS service for imported infection including for the detection, genotyping and reporting of novel pathogens.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the person specification.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a detailed personal statement / statement of suitability (max 1000 words) based on the essential criteria advertised. This should outline how you consider your skills, knowledge and experience meet the selection requirements. It should provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the person specification criteria outlined.

Applicants are strongly advised to use the person specification section as sub-headings in the application to make it clear how you meet each of the selection criteria.

Longlisting will be done on the following essential criteria:

  • Registered for a UK or equivalent international medical specialist trainee programme in microbiology, virology, infectious diseases or a relevant combined programme
  • GMC registration or eligibility for registration

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a single video interview and assessment

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will progress to a single video interview and will be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.

A 5 min presentation will form part of this assessment. Title to be confirmed prior to interview.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS.

Option 3 External

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

Unfortunately, late applications can not be accepted.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The candidate will contribute to the development of surveillance mechanisms for mNGS data generated by NHS and non-NHS clinical services through the UKHSA mSCAPE project.

Clinical Services

  • Offer advice to clinicians on testing, result interpretation and patient management.
  • Support the introduction of new diagnostic methodologies
  • Contribute to incident or outbreak investigations.

Research and Development

  • Participate in research at RIPL, particularly developing an mNGS service for imported infection

Quality

  • Support and enhance compliance with ISO15189 and other accreditation/standards.
  • Comply with audit programmes and corrective actions.
  • Appraise and develop the laboratory service.

Information Technology

  • Interpret and report laboratory results using LIMS with a particular focus on mNGS results
  • Contribute to analytical tool development and national epidemiological database analysis/reporting through mSCAPE

Strategy, Policy and Service Development

  • Support the development of a national mNGS service for imported infection including for the detection, genotyping and reporting of novel pathogens.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the person specification.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a detailed personal statement / statement of suitability (max 1000 words) based on the essential criteria advertised. This should outline how you consider your skills, knowledge and experience meet the selection requirements. It should provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the person specification criteria outlined.

Applicants are strongly advised to use the person specification section as sub-headings in the application to make it clear how you meet each of the selection criteria.

Longlisting will be done on the following essential criteria:

  • Registered for a UK or equivalent international medical specialist trainee programme in microbiology, virology, infectious diseases or a relevant combined programme
  • GMC registration or eligibility for registration

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a single video interview and assessment

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will progress to a single video interview and will be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.

A 5 min presentation will form part of this assessment. Title to be confirmed prior to interview.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS.

Option 3 External

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

Unfortunately, late applications can not be accepted.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised medical degree meeting UK requirements for registration (Certificate)
  • Registered for a UK or equivalent international medical specialist trainee programme in microbiology, virology, infectious diseases or a relevant combined programme (Certificate)
  • GMC registration or eligibility for registration (Certificate)

Desirable

  • Higher qualification in infectious diseases, microbiology, virology or relevant medical specialty e.g. MRCP, FRCPath, MSc, PhD (Certificate)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Specialist training/experience in specific methods required for the post
  • Experience in clinical interpretation of complex laboratory tests for infectious diseases, including molecular & serological methods.
  • Experience in the clinical presentation and management of infectious conditions
  • Bacteriology experience
  • Virology experience

Desirable

  • Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Skills and capabilities

Essential

  • Good communicator and team worker
  • Familiarity with Excel and PowerPoint
  • Ability to assimilate varied information and solve complex problems
  • Highly motivated and able to self-determine
  • Decisive, with excellent analytical skills
  • Able to work to tight deadlines
  • Reliable and conscientious
  • Good organiser
  • Able to organise self
  • Attention to detail
  • Ambitious
  • Able to set priorities and manage time effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure from other staff and customers

Desirable

  • Confident in presentation of ideas and information
  • Experience of presentation of data at professional meetings
  • Leadership skills

Equality and Diversity

Essential

  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised medical degree meeting UK requirements for registration (Certificate)
  • Registered for a UK or equivalent international medical specialist trainee programme in microbiology, virology, infectious diseases or a relevant combined programme (Certificate)
  • GMC registration or eligibility for registration (Certificate)

Desirable

  • Higher qualification in infectious diseases, microbiology, virology or relevant medical specialty e.g. MRCP, FRCPath, MSc, PhD (Certificate)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Specialist training/experience in specific methods required for the post
  • Experience in clinical interpretation of complex laboratory tests for infectious diseases, including molecular & serological methods.
  • Experience in the clinical presentation and management of infectious conditions
  • Bacteriology experience
  • Virology experience

Desirable

  • Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Skills and capabilities

Essential

  • Good communicator and team worker
  • Familiarity with Excel and PowerPoint
  • Ability to assimilate varied information and solve complex problems
  • Highly motivated and able to self-determine
  • Decisive, with excellent analytical skills
  • Able to work to tight deadlines
  • Reliable and conscientious
  • Good organiser
  • Able to organise self
  • Attention to detail
  • Ambitious
  • Able to set priorities and manage time effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure from other staff and customers

Desirable

  • Confident in presentation of ideas and information
  • Experience of presentation of data at professional meetings
  • Leadership skills

Equality and Diversity

Essential

  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

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).

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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton Down UKHSA

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 UKHSA

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:

Resourcing Support

Karl Pillage

SCS.MDrecruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

16 October 2023

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Specialty registrar

Salary

£43,923 to £63,152 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-KP-50002672-EXT

Job locations

Porton Down UKHSA

Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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