Diagnostic Research Scientist

Job summary

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.

The Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation department is based at Porton and performs a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving pathogen characterisation; virology and pathogenesis; diagnostics, innovation and evaluation, and biosafety and environmental microbiology. We are part of the UKHSA’s ambition to be world-leading in capabilities and contribution to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics.

The Diagnostic Accelerator requires staffing, expertise, and capabilities to deliver diagnostics for pandemic preparedness. The work will focus on the rapid development of diagnostics, in response to and to be better prepared for, outbreaks of new and emerging pathogens. The accelerator will collaborate with external commercial and /or academic partners, as well as with other teams in the division, across Science Group within UKHSA. Externally the function will work with academia, commercial diagnostic firms, HMG, FIND, CEPI, WHO, BMGF, USG and other bodies to support the development, regulatory approval and deployment of diagnostics. The function will also work closely with Standards, Regulatory and Quality Assurance directorate to ensure compliance with all appropriate national and international regulations.

Job description

To work as a Diagnostic Research Scientist in the Diagnostic Accelerator team providing serological/molecular/antigenic expertise to deliver scientific and technical projects. To evaluate commercial assays and ensure delivery of new/improved/refined diagnostic assays for pandemic preparedness / outbreak response for use in UKHSA, NHS or other diagnostic labs. The post holder will also be expected to participate in training to support in the provision of surge capacity in the event of an outbreak. Working under the direction of the senior scientists and senior project team leads, you will work concurrently on projects to ensure the scientific objectives of the department and team are met. The post holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project, have excellent communication skills and use technical knowledge and experience to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and comply with quality, regulatory and health and safety standards.

• Develop/Evaluate/Implement and utilise a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
• Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Undertake training to enable adequate supervision of CL2 laboratories and oversee the completion of housekeeping duties in line with site specific procedures.
• Independent working under the direction of the Project Team Leader to identify, evaluate and adapt new commercial diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Participate in the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
• Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To maintain health and safety competence.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience of working with several relevant analytical techniques in a suitable laboratory with personal responsibility for the quality of results produced.
• Knowledge and prior experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses such as Real-time PCR, ELISA, LFD.
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens using techniques including nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR and antigen preparation.
• Experience of working with clinical samples and commercial diagnostic tests.
• Experience of working within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO 9001; ISO15189, GLP, UKAS).
• Experience of working as part of a successful team with respect to project delivery and liaising with staff of all levels.
• Able to evidence personal contribution to successful projects.
• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
• Experience of problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden and unexpected demands.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in working at ACDP CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation.
• Experience with molecular automation including point of care devices, extraction and real-time PCR platforms.
• Experience in laboratory risk and COSHH assessment and audit.
• Experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 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/Strengths/Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1000 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 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

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

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Knowledge and prior experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses such as Real-time PCR, ELISA, LFD.

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 & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at UKHSA Porton, Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours/Strengths/Experience will be tested at interview through questioning.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Delivering at pace (Lead behaviour)
• Working together
• Communication and Influencing
• Making Effective decisions

Interviews dates are 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.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton (Salisbury). Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

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

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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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.

Qualifications and Registrations

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.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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 UKHSA Hub , Civil Service 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 : Timor Miakhel
• Email : timor.miakhel@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 the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: 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 for further information: Home - Civil Service Commission

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/8043834