Research Scientist - Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities section:

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

1. Develop/Evaluate/Implement and utilise a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
2. Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
3. Independent working under the direction of the Project Team Leader to identify, evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
4. Participate in the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
5. Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
6. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
7. To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
8. To maintain health and safety competence.
9. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
10. 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 job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• Degree in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
• Substantive experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Experience of working with clinical samples and diagnostic testing
• Substantive experience in training junior staff and working within and across teams
• Demonstrates experience of having work experience within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; GLP, UKAS).

Desirable

• HCPC registration
• Relevant higher degree i.e., Msc/PhD in Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 and CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Track record of publications and submitting proposals to promote and develop research areas and experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and test

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description 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 in-person 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.

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.

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

1. Changing and Improving
2. Communicating and influencing
3. Working together

Technical Skills will also be assessed on:

1. Knowledge of microbiology diagnostic tests
2. Experience of working with clinical samples
3. Knowledge of safe working practices

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 4th March 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: 8th March 2024

Interviews: w/c 18th March 2024

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.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

• Degree in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
• Substantive experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Experience of working with clinical samples and diagnostic testing
• Substantive experience in training junior staff and working within and across teams
• Demonstrates experience of having work experience within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; GLP, UKAS).

Desirable

• HCPC registration
• Relevant higher degree i.e., Msc/PhD in Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 and CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Track record of publications and submitting proposals to promote and develop research areas and experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests

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, Salisbury

SP4 0JG

Employer's website

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