Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Form part of project team to deliver on core Grant-in-Aid objectives.
- Perform duties required by line management commensurate with grade.
- Develop, implement, and utilise a range of molecular techniques in support of pathogen detection and characterisation activities, to ensure that project targets are met.
- Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project area.
- Produce data for review by Senior Scientists for input into reports.
- Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, for preparation of presentations and publications.
- Present data at internal group meetings and national/international conferences.
- Lead in laboratory supervision, ensuring appropriate equipment is available and calibrated.
- Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- Undertake work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems.
- Maintain health and safety competence.
- Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
- Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and UKHSA.
It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Degree in an appropriate discipline e.g., virology / molecular biology.
- Experience of utilising a variety of molecular methods (e.g., RT-qPCR, LAMP, and high-throughput sequencing).
- Good record keeping, attention to detail.
- Experience of working in a regulated environment and knowledge of UKAS and/or ISO quality standards.
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project participation.
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Able to work as part of team and liaise with all levels of staff.
- Effective organiser.
- Demonstrate a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable
- MSc or equivalent level of experience in an appropriate virology / molecular biology field.
- Knowledge and/or experience of developing and validating molecular assays.
- Previous experience in similar role in public sector.
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 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be 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.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pac
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 13th February 2024 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: TBC
Interviews: TBC
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.
Check just a basic check is required
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.
