Cryostore Supervisor

UK Health Security Agency

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The primary responsibility of the post holder is to assist with the maintenance and movement of the Culture Collections temperature-controlled stock and the upkeep of accurate inventory records. In addition, the post holder picks and packs the Culture Collections products and is therefore the last link in the chain before the product is dispatched to the customer.

Main duties of the job

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Monitor and maintain the liquid nitrogen volume in Culture Collections cryo-tanks and pressure vessels as outlined by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and risk assessments
  • Undertake the daily receipt, pick and dispatch of goods, including products: in liquid nitrogen; at temperatures ranging between -80 C and ambient (Lenticule Discs, DNA, media, NCTC and NCPV); up to Containment Level 3; SAPO and Schedule 5 agents
  • Ensure the on-time delivery of such 'picked' stock to the designated intermediate storage locations in a manner that preserves product integrity
  • Keep stock control systems up to date and make sure inventories are accurate
  • Assist with the detailed recording and monitoring of the cryo-tank data and electronic monitoring systems such as Eurotherm chart recorders
  • Act as banksman for liquid nitrogen deliveries and ensure safety procedures are adhered to
  • Providing out of hours' support when required in an on-call rota
  • Maintaining standards of health and safety, hygiene and security in the Cryostore environment; including adhering to regulations for working with cryogens, biologicals, dangerous goods and pressure systems
  • Ensure all packages comply with UK and International Shipping Regulations (e.g. UN3373 Category B, UN1845, UN2814) before collection by the assigned couriers
  • Ensure the correct packaging, labelling and documentation are used for each product and destination.

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Date posted

06 March 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£27,275 to £31,778 a year (plus MPS 10% of salary until 1.6.2027) per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-LT-302203-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Porton

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Reporting to the Cryostore Manager, you will be responsible for day-to-day supervision of the Cryostore. You will provide support for the storage, handling and global distribution of biological materials to facilitate biomedical research. The role of Cryostore Supervisor is safety critical and therefore adherence to strict safety procedures and risk assessments is paramount. You will be responsible for your own health and safety as well as that of others on site. An eye for detail is fundamental to the role; you will be responsible for carrying out routine safety checks within the facility. Additional training will be provided to ensure the post holder is compliant with current UK legislation. You will also be responsible for maintaining stocks of consumables, ensuring no stock outs and therefore business continuity.

This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties.

Please be aware that we will assess on the 6 essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document.

Essential Criteria

  • GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics
  • 2 A-levels or equivalent (preferred in Mathematics and English) or equivalent relevant working experience.
  • Warehouse, shipping or inventory control experience
  • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
  • This is a moderately physical role with the requirement for manual handling and to work in awkward positions(e.g. climbing up small ladders, bending over storage tanks, lifting dewars).
  • Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 6 listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 750 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how 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.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Piles 'meets all essential criteria' and 'meets some essential criteria' will be moved through to shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:

  • Warehouse, shipping or inventory control experience

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

Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, experience and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

  • Working together (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivering at pace

Interview dates to be confirmed.

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

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

Location

This role is based at our scientific campus at Porton Down . Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check 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 Counter Terrorism Check (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.Face to Face interviews

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Reporting to the Cryostore Manager, you will be responsible for day-to-day supervision of the Cryostore. You will provide support for the storage, handling and global distribution of biological materials to facilitate biomedical research. The role of Cryostore Supervisor is safety critical and therefore adherence to strict safety procedures and risk assessments is paramount. You will be responsible for your own health and safety as well as that of others on site. An eye for detail is fundamental to the role; you will be responsible for carrying out routine safety checks within the facility. Additional training will be provided to ensure the post holder is compliant with current UK legislation. You will also be responsible for maintaining stocks of consumables, ensuring no stock outs and therefore business continuity.

This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties.

Please be aware that we will assess on the 6 essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document.

Essential Criteria

  • GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics
  • 2 A-levels or equivalent (preferred in Mathematics and English) or equivalent relevant working experience.
  • Warehouse, shipping or inventory control experience
  • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
  • This is a moderately physical role with the requirement for manual handling and to work in awkward positions(e.g. climbing up small ladders, bending over storage tanks, lifting dewars).
  • Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 6 listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 750 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how 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.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Piles 'meets all essential criteria' and 'meets some essential criteria' will be moved through to shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:

  • Warehouse, shipping or inventory control experience

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

Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, experience and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

  • Working together (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivering at pace

Interview dates to be confirmed.

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

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

Location

This role is based at our scientific campus at Porton Down . Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check 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 Counter Terrorism Check (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.Face to Face interviews

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Person Specification

Application form and statement of suitability

Essential

  • Application form and statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Working together (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivering at pace
Person Specification

Application form and statement of suitability

Essential

  • Application form and statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Working together (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivering at pace

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

UKHSA Porton

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


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

UKHSA Porton

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Support Officer

Lisa Tweedie

Lisa.Tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk

Date posted

06 March 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£27,275 to £31,778 a year (plus MPS 10% of salary until 1.6.2027) per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-LT-302203-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Porton

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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