Senior Scientist – Bacteriophage Therapy

Job description

Job responsibilities

The recent Parliamentary Inquiry on the suitability of phage as antimicrobials made a series of recommendations which are supported by UKHSA. Within that overall remit, the current post aims to support clinicians being able to access phage for use on a compassionate basis.

The post holder will act as an interface between clinicians requesting phage to treat their patient and one of a number of bodies which can supply phage suitable for this clinical use, with an emphasis on chronic respiratory infections in the first instance.

The initial phase of the work relates to a specific project, led by the University of Liverpool. The post-holder will expand the service, working with others at UKHSA to help facilitate compassionate use access to phage for other infections and to lay the foundation for expanded use of phage in future studies.

Essential criteria

You will be assessed on the below 4 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description:

• Practical experience in supporting clinicians being able to access and use phage for treatment of patients on a compassionate use basis.
• Significant experience in the evaluation of phage susceptibility in clinical isolates
• Experience of external collaboration with clinicians, phage manufacturers and NHS Pharmacy services
• Excellent communication skills

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed four essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• an Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1,000 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

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

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (Success Profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working together

The advert will close at 23:55hrs on 25th November 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.

Location

This is a lab-based role located at Porton Down, SP4 0JG. Please note Hybrid is not an option for this post.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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 / Counter-terrorist Check.

You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires CTC clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application Form & Statement of Suitability

Essential

• Application Form & Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

Essential

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working together

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

Porton

Beck Farm

Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire

SP4 0JG

Employer's website

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