Healthcare Scientist

UK Health Security Agency

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Respiratory Virus Unit (RVU) sits within the Virus Reference Department (VRD) at UKHSA Reference Services 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.

The post holder will take delegated responsibility from the Unit Head / Scientific Leads and Technical Manager for:

  • providing laboratory support for the delivery of molecular reference services for the range of respiratory virus pathogens including avian and swine flu, SARS, RSV. This will include the development and use of virus neutralisation, viral protein expression systems and quantitative PCR for influenza and RSV, as appropriate.

Main duties of the job

Main duties include:

  • To take delegated responsibility from the Unit Head and Technical Manager through the unit scientific lead in accordance with UKHSA and RSDC policies for the following: Technical/ Scientific/ Reference services/ Research and Development
  • Development and application of methods for investigation of molecular detection by RT-PCR for respiratory viruses. This includes validation of these methods to prepare them for wider application in the diagnostic service of the laboratory.
  • Extraction of viral nucleic acid from clinical samples by automated methods.
  • Performance of conventional and real-time RT-PCR for surveillance and diagnosis of RSV, influenza and other respiratory virus pathogens as required.
  • Cloning of PCR products.
  • RT PCR of a variety of genes/strains.
  • Sequence analysis of PCR products, by including interpretation, alignment and phylogenetic analysis.
  • Mammalian cell expression (inducible and non-inducible systems)
  • Adhering to external and internal quality control procedures.
  • Attend meetings, plan and implement project plans.
  • Monitor safety cabinets, freezers and carry out routine quality control procedures in order to maintain set standards.

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.

Date posted

22 July 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£34,463 to £41,478 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-BM-6147725-EXT

Job locations

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria

  • University degree in Virology / Microbiology / Biomedical Science.
  • Qualifications in a biological science with evidence of maintaining professional competence in biomedical sciences.
  • Laboratory experience in biomedical sciences, Molecular Biology, mammalian cell culture and cultivation of viruses.
  • Understanding and application of lab safety requirements and procedures.
  • 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. organized, adaptable and flexible to respond to changing priorities and meet short deadlines.
  • Understands and is supportive of, Research and Development.
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1:Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe above listedessentialcriteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • CV/ Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

  • 1000wordStatement of Suitability.

This should outline howyou consideryour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The CV/Application formand Statement of Suitability will be markedseparately,and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview stage.

Please do not exceed1000 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at UKHSA Colindale, London. Due to the requirements of the role, interviews cannot be conducted remotely.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a practical assessment at interview in the form of a basic lab test.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria

  • University degree in Virology / Microbiology / Biomedical Science.
  • Qualifications in a biological science with evidence of maintaining professional competence in biomedical sciences.
  • Laboratory experience in biomedical sciences, Molecular Biology, mammalian cell culture and cultivation of viruses.
  • Understanding and application of lab safety requirements and procedures.
  • 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. organized, adaptable and flexible to respond to changing priorities and meet short deadlines.
  • Understands and is supportive of, Research and Development.
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1:Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe above listedessentialcriteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • CV/ Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

  • 1000wordStatement of Suitability.

This should outline howyou consideryour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The CV/Application formand Statement of Suitability will be markedseparately,and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview stage.

Please do not exceed1000 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at UKHSA Colindale, London. Due to the requirements of the role, interviews cannot be conducted remotely.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a practical assessment at interview in the form of a basic lab test.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • University degree in Virology / Microbiology / Biomedical Science
  • Qualifications in a biological science with evidence of maintaining professional competence in biomedical sciences

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Laboratory experience in biomedical sciences, Molecular Biology, mammalian cell culture and cultivation of viruses
  • Understanding and application of lab safety requirements and procedures
  • Understanding the role of IT in the laboratory and experience of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to intermediate level

Skills/capabilities/behaviours

Essential

  • Able to plan and use own time economically and effectively and able to work as part of a team. organized, adaptable and flexible to respond to changing priorities and meet short deadlines
  • Understands and is supportive of, Research and Development

Equality and diversity

Essential

  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • University degree in Virology / Microbiology / Biomedical Science
  • Qualifications in a biological science with evidence of maintaining professional competence in biomedical sciences

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Laboratory experience in biomedical sciences, Molecular Biology, mammalian cell culture and cultivation of viruses
  • Understanding and application of lab safety requirements and procedures
  • Understanding the role of IT in the laboratory and experience of Word, Excel and PowerPoint to intermediate level

Skills/capabilities/behaviours

Essential

  • Able to plan and use own time economically and effectively and able to work as part of a team. organized, adaptable and flexible to respond to changing priorities and meet short deadlines
  • Understands and is supportive of, Research and Development

Equality and diversity

Essential

  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


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

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

UKHSA Recruitment

Beth M

recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Date posted

22 July 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£34,463 to £41,478 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-BM-6147725-EXT

Job locations

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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