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Biomedical Scientist and MSc Trainee

UK Health Security Agency

The closing date is 04 May 2025

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Job summary

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA's remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation's expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

  • Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation's readiness, defences and health security
  • Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
  • Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
  • Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
  • Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Main duties of the job

The Public Health Microbiology Directorate, Reference Microbiology laboratories in UKHSA Colindale, Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD) and the Virus Reference Department (VRD) are national and international reference centres for a wide range of bacterial and viral infections. We receive clinical samples and/or bacterial/viral isolates from public health departments, National Health Service and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, characterisation and susceptibility testing. During 2012/13 more than 500,000 reference and surveillance specimens were investigated in BRD and VRD which reflects the value of BRD and VRD services to clinicians, microbiologists, virologists, consultants in communicable disease control, and UKHSA Surveillance colleagues.

The positions are training posts in the Bacteriology Reference Department and the Virus Reference Departments for a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist who undertook their IBMS Competence Portfolio/undergraduate training in UKHSA Colindale. The role will involve three-month rotations in a selection of units within BRD or VRD and one three-month project within BRD or VRD. The training will also include attendance and completion of a MSc in Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) at Queen Mary's, University of London (QMUL).

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

17 April 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,224 to £36,176 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

23 months

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-LT-301320-EXT

Job locations

Colindale (London) Scientific Campus

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • To perform laboratory tests and procedures applicable to the training position HCPC registered biomedical scientist.
  • To attend the MSc course and complete studies
  • To maintain equipment, including calibration and safety checks.
  • To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stocks and reagents
  • To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
  • Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.

Other

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 the directorate.The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Professional development

You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

Essential role criteria:

  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist before or on commencement of employment.
  • IBMS Certificate of Competence completion at UKHSA Colindale
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
  • Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

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

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 500 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.

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

Pile 'meets all essential criteria' will be taken through to shortlisting,

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

  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist before or on commencement of employment.
  • IBMS Certificate of Competence completion at UKHSA Colindale

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description).

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

Please do not exceed 500 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 single remote interview.

Behaviours, technical skills and ability will be tested at interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 16th June. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Selection Process

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.

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 Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • To perform laboratory tests and procedures applicable to the training position HCPC registered biomedical scientist.
  • To attend the MSc course and complete studies
  • To maintain equipment, including calibration and safety checks.
  • To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stocks and reagents
  • To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
  • Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.

Other

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 the directorate.The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Professional development

You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

Essential role criteria:

  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist before or on commencement of employment.
  • IBMS Certificate of Competence completion at UKHSA Colindale
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
  • Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

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

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 500 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.

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

Pile 'meets all essential criteria' will be taken through to shortlisting,

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

  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science or equivalent
  • HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist before or on commencement of employment.
  • IBMS Certificate of Competence completion at UKHSA Colindale

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description).

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

Please do not exceed 500 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 single remote interview.

Behaviours, technical skills and ability will be tested at interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 16th June. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Selection Process

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.

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 Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. 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.

Person Specification

Application form and statement of suitability

Essential

  • Application form and statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • Delivering at pace
Person Specification

Application form and statement of suitability

Essential

  • Application form and statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Seeing the big picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • 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

Colindale (London) Scientific Campus

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) Scientific Campus

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:

Resourcing Support Officer

Lisa Tweedie

Lisa.Tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk

Date posted

17 April 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,224 to £36,176 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

23 months

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-LT-301320-EXT

Job locations

Colindale (London) Scientific Campus

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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