Job summary
At the Public Health Microbiology (PHM) - Colindale, laboratory teams undertake services of complex and highly skilled techniques which often require nationally or internationally unique capabilities or facilities. PHM are required to provide authoritative, final, and validated analysis for complex clinical or food microbiological/virological problems and be innovative in driving microbiological/virological methodology developments and standards.
The Respiratory Virus Unit (RVU) sits within the Virus Reference Department (VRD) at UKHSA Public Health Microbiology (PHM) - Colindale, London. RVU is the WHO National Influenza Centre (NIC) for the UK and is the National Reference Laboratory for a range of respiratory virus pathogens. The unit is one of four WHO global respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Reference Laboratories, and as such collaborates with WHO, providing technical support and advice to national laboratories, and a WHO Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV) Reference Laboratory, providing confirmatory and reference services for MERS CoV.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will take delegated responsibility from the scientific leads and unit technical manager, ensuring that the routine sequencing services and research and development (R&D) activities meet the agreed quality standards so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical.
Location
61 Colindale Ave, London, NW9 5EQ
*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
About us
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
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
To take responsibility for the relevant R&D activities and the delivery of molecular surveillance of influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2 and other important respiratory viruses within the molecular/sequencing section of the RVU according to relative priorities set by the unit technical manager and scientific leads.
- To ensure the provision of an efficient, effective, and timely routine respiratory virus sequencing service
- To appraise and develop the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective, and economical and follows best practice
- To be responsible for introducing and maintaining methodologies in accordance with UKHSA policy
- Play a leading role in the assessment of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and ensure that the high scientific standards are followed
- Maintain awareness of relevant IVD standards (e.g. standard operating procedures, UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations)
- To ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation standards
- To adhere to laboratory SOPs and the laboratory policies and procedures and to work autonomously within the guidelines provided. Also, to assist the Technical Manager and other senior staff in the preparation and ongoing reviews of SOPs
- To communicate effectively with all members of the RVU, the virology department and other healthcare professionals
- Participation in phylogenetic analysis of derived sequences and sequence database management, in conjunction with relevant staff
- Technical validation of clinical reports on MOLIS and responsible for LIMS housekeeping activities to ensure all tests are completed within turnaround times
- To be responsible for the acquisition, management and utilization of the sections stock and consumables
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
To take responsibility for the relevant R&D activities and the delivery of molecular surveillance of influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2 and other important respiratory viruses within the molecular/sequencing section of the RVU according to relative priorities set by the unit technical manager and scientific leads.
- To ensure the provision of an efficient, effective, and timely routine respiratory virus sequencing service
- To appraise and develop the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective, and economical and follows best practice
- To be responsible for introducing and maintaining methodologies in accordance with UKHSA policy
- Play a leading role in the assessment of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and ensure that the high scientific standards are followed
- Maintain awareness of relevant IVD standards (e.g. standard operating procedures, UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations)
- To ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation standards
- To adhere to laboratory SOPs and the laboratory policies and procedures and to work autonomously within the guidelines provided. Also, to assist the Technical Manager and other senior staff in the preparation and ongoing reviews of SOPs
- To communicate effectively with all members of the RVU, the virology department and other healthcare professionals
- Participation in phylogenetic analysis of derived sequences and sequence database management, in conjunction with relevant staff
- Technical validation of clinical reports on MOLIS and responsible for LIMS housekeeping activities to ensure all tests are completed within turnaround times
- To be responsible for the acquisition, management and utilization of the sections stock and consumables
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.
Person Specification
Essential Desirable Criteria
Essential
- University degree in Virology / Microbiology / Biomedical Science
- Qualifications in a biological science with evidence of maintaining professional competence in biomedical sciences
- Respiratory Virus Research and Service Development experience (with 5+ years' experience of working in a laboratory)
- Understanding of lab safety requirements and procedures.
- Evidence of technical expertise in the assessment new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice.
- Experience and understanding of assay development and implementation in compliance with national and international guidelines / regulations
- Experience working with internal and external agencies in the development and approval of new laboratory assays to comply with regulatory and MHRA guidelines.
- Understanding the role of IT in the laboratory and experience of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to intermediate level
- Able to plan and use own time economically and effectively and able to work as part of a team
- Experience using WGS software analysis and visualization tools
- 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
Desirable
- State registration (HCPC or equivalent) or an intent in obtaining qualification
- Previous experience in a virology laboratory
Person Specification
Essential Desirable Criteria
Essential
- University degree in Virology / Microbiology / Biomedical Science
- Qualifications in a biological science with evidence of maintaining professional competence in biomedical sciences
- Respiratory Virus Research and Service Development experience (with 5+ years' experience of working in a laboratory)
- Understanding of lab safety requirements and procedures.
- Evidence of technical expertise in the assessment new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice.
- Experience and understanding of assay development and implementation in compliance with national and international guidelines / regulations
- Experience working with internal and external agencies in the development and approval of new laboratory assays to comply with regulatory and MHRA guidelines.
- Understanding the role of IT in the laboratory and experience of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to intermediate level
- Able to plan and use own time economically and effectively and able to work as part of a team
- Experience using WGS software analysis and visualization tools
- 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
Desirable
- State registration (HCPC or equivalent) or an intent in obtaining qualification
- Previous experience in a virology laboratory
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).
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).
