Cell Culture Scientist

Job summary

This post is positioned within the Culture Collections Unit on the Porton Down site. Culture Collections provides authenticated biological resources (bacteria, viruses,fungi and cell cultures) and associated services to the biomedical research and diagnostic communities. It is essential that incoming cultures (new accessions) and the data associated with all the Culture Collections biological resources are relevant for emerging diseases and technologies.

The post forms part of the wider European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC), Human Genetic Services (HGS) and Quality Control (QC) teams which focuses on procuring new human and animal cell lines and includes the maintenance and supply of these for public health research and diagnostic testing.

The HGS operation provides a range of products and services to life science researchers. These include the extraction of DNA from cell lines and blood, preparation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from blood and generation of new cell lines by Epstein Barr virus transformation. The QC team performs product testing prior to release including molecular and microbiological method.

Please note that we are currently recruiting for two positions - one permanent and one 18-month fixed term contract.

Working for your organisation

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 under represented 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

Job description

The main responsibilities will include:

• To play a main role in the cell culture team offering an efficient service for both internal and external customers.
• Maintain the stocks of all the cell lines deposited within Culture Collections. Support efficient working in the ECACC laboratories, adhering to safe working practices at all times.
• Supporting the existing quality control (QC), authentication and characterization processes for cell cultures. This may involve the development of new assays to improve authentication and characterization of cell lines within the collection.
• Processing of human whole blood to isolate PBLs, serum and DNA for customer orders and projects
• Generation of DNA for catalogue DNA orders and bespoke customer orders
• Work with the HGS supervisor to ensure all HGS samples are receipted, processed, stored, dispatched and disposed of in accordance with the regulations of the Human Tissue Act
• Perform cell culture and analysis of cell lines and derived products using a range of methods/assays/techniques in accordance with set protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area
• Maintain databases and the accurate recording of results
• Liaise professionally with internal and external customers to manage the supply of cells
• Act as laboratory supervisor for specific ECACC labs
• Work within the ECACC QC and/or HGS operations
• Liaise with the wider ECACC team to participate in the continuous improvement of cell line characterisation and cell line function
• Liaise with the wider ECACC team to participate in the continuous improvement of quality operations within the department
• Instigate failure investigations identified within the ECACC operation, recommending and carrying out appropriate corrective actions as required
• Work within ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 (where required) Quality Systems and have continuous interaction with the QA team to matters related to this
• Able to work safely in a laboratory environment
• Achieve and maintain Health and Safety competency as a laboratory supervisor, in line with UKHSA policies and guidance
• Work within UKHSA and laboratory policies, codes of practice and guidelines
• Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures and maintain up to date training records
• Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’
• Perform any other duties required by the line manager in line with the grade
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

• Educated to degree level in a relevant life science subject; or equivalent qualification; or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area
• Knowledge and practical experience of working in a cell culture or microbiology laboratory showing confidence in working using aseptic techniques
• Good understanding and experience of safe laboratory working practices
• Cell culture experience with demonstrable examples of work (including stem cells)
• Good communication skills
• Self-motivating, organized, meticulous
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently
• Willing to undertake further training and able to train other staff
• Basic Microbiology techniques
• Ability to work on own initiative and organize own workload without supervision, working to deadlines
• Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of services
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Please note that for roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,091, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,979 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 500 word supporting statement.

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.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 500 words. We will not consider any words over 500 words.

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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

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

• Knowledge and practical experience of working in a cell culture or microbiology laboratory showing confidence in working using aseptic techniques
• Good understanding and experience of safe laboratory working practices
• Educated to degree level in a relevant life science subject; or equivalent qualification; or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

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

Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Delivering at Pace (Lead interview)
• Working Together
• Communication and Influencing

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

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 role is lab based at UKHSA Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

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

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

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 to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary information

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.

For Fixed term posts

For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

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

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jon Payne
• Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk