Job responsibilities
The Respiratory Virus Unit (RVU) within the Virus Reference Department (VRD) provides:
- National surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses
- Antigenic and genetic characterisation of circulating influenza strains
- Data to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as evidence from the UK to guide the annual formulation of the influenza vaccine
- Surveillance of antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses derived from community and hospital sources, with monitoring achieved through genotypic and phenotypic analysis
The unit contributes virological data (antigenic and genetic) to assist determination of seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates. Its work also involves the development of diagnostic tests for current and emerging respiratory viruses, and vaccine evaluation studies. The unit is 1 of 4 WHO global RSV Reference Laboratories, and as such collaborates with WHO, providing technical support and advice to national laboratories. The unit is a WHO Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Coronavirus (CoV) Reference Laboratory, providing confirmatory and reference services for MERS CoV, and WHO Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing for COVID-19.
Technical/Scientific/Reference services/Research and Development
- Development, application and expansion of serological, genotypic and phenotypic analysis in the RVU, with emphasis on the detection, surveillance and characterisation of influenza, RSV and other respiratory virus infections in humans.
- Development of reference laboratory capability for the characterisation of RSV, adenoviruses and rhinoviruses recovered from human infections, including virus culture and microneutralisation, as well as molecular epidemiology and bioinformatics databases.
- Development and application of molecular tests for the detection of avian influenza.
- To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work.
- To be responsible for introducing and maintaining methodologies in accordance with UKHSA policy.
QualityIn collaboration with the Laboratory Quality Manager and Laboratory Quality Officer:
- Ensure compliance with ISO15189 and other accreditation and certification standards.
- Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
- Be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work, appraising, and developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice.
- Assist in developing and implementing quality programmes.
- Provide assistance in project management for specific Research and Development (R&D) projects within the laboratory.
- Maintain quality systems and keep abreast of changing UK regulations and directives to meetappropriate accreditation, UKHSA safety regulations and guidelines.
Information Technology
- Liaise with the VRD Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) super user on the introduction of new assays to the laboratory.
- Contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required.
Staff Management
- Training of junior staff and visitors in culture, virological, serological and molecular techniques
- Supervision of junior staff on a day-to-day basis to ensure work is carried out proficiently and accurately.
- To develop and maintain a good working relationship with staff.
Support Services and Equipment
- Ensure the laboratory structure and services are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
- With the Unit Technical Manager, ensure the high containment labs are well maintained.
Financial Management
- Act as signatory for general lab consumables and reagents.
- Responsible for negotiating prices with suppliers for reagents, including media, consumables and equipment.
- Evaluate and purchase new equipment required for the reference service.
General Employment Responsibilities
- Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act in collaboration with the designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security Information Officer.
- Represent the UKHSA nationally and internationally as required.
- Actively participate and maintain a continuing professional development programme and be aware of relevant developments in microbiology and other biomedical sciences.
- Develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required.
Communication and key working relationshipsInternal
- Staff within UKHSA Public Health Microbiology
External
- External bodies including NHS staff and other national and international users, academia, commercial companies and professional groups, as required.
Professional developmentYou should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
Essential criteria:
- PhD in Virology / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology (or close to completion of PhD).
- Knowledge and experience in mammalian cell culture and virus culture.
- Previous experience in techniques such as Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and cell-based assays (including neutralisation and agglutination inhibition).
- Previous experience of cloning and site directed mutagenesis.
- Demonstrated interest in serology/virology/vaccine development.
- Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures and quality system management.
Desirable criteria:
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration (or on target to be achieved within six months of appointment).
- Experience of mammalian cell or baculovirus expression of proteins, their purification and analysis (e.g Western Blotting etc).
- Experience in molecular techniques, including sequencing.
- Experience of work at BSL3.
- Previous experience in enzymatic methods (i.e. measurement of enzyme activity and kinetics.
Selection Process Detail
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based assessmentsYou willbe 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)
- 1500 word supporting statement.
TheApplication form and supporting statement will be marked together.
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. 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
Those falling into the 'Meets all essential criteria' pile will progress to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:
- PhD in Virology / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology (or close to completion of PhD).
- Knowledge and experience in mammalian cell culture and virus culture.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Competency based
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
You will be asked to prepare and present a 5 to 10 minute presentation during the interview. This will be based on:
- My virology laboratory research project
Interviews dates are yet 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
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.
Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Salary
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
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 Counter-terrorist Check.
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 requiresCounter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.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.
