Healthcare Scientist / Biomedical Scientist

Job summary

The post holder will contribute to ensuring the provision of genomic services to our customers, including:

• Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
• Sanger sequencing
• Fragment analysis using a variety of instruments and technologies.

The Colindale Sequencing Laboratory (CSL) provides a variety of nucleic acid sequencing services using NGS and Sanger technology to sequence genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons, or short DNA fragments, as well as providing DNA-based fragment analysis to size fluorescently labelled PCR products. For Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis, the unit receives nucleic acid, plasmids, and PCR products from UKHSA and external customers. CSL also offers various levels of NGS for genomic DNA (usually bacterial DNA extracts) and PCR amplicons (usually generated from viral samples) to our service users. NGS is currently performed using Illumina or Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing technologies, using the Illumina NextSeq, Miseq or ONT GridION. Sequence and fragment analysis data are checked by CSL staff against internal standards and quality scores before electronically notifying and reporting the results to our customers, who analyse their data.

Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed to a Biomedical Scientist post on NHS AfC T&Cs at Band 6. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed to a Healthcare Scientist post on Civil Service T&Cs at HEO grade.

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 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

Job description

CSL has a strong service delivery focus and commitment to continuously improving methods for rapid and high-throughput genomics to enhance its function.

Communication and Key Working Relationships

Internal

• To liaise with the Unit head, all staff within CSL and with staff from other departments as appropriate.
• To liaise with other staff within the service and to assist and advise other scientists, registered scientists, trainees and visitors working in the group.

External

• To liaise with collaborators and external CSL customers.
• To liaise with staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA.
• Professional contacts.

Quality

In collaboration with the Quality Team & local management, to:

• Maintain a high standard of work and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective and economical and follow best practice.
• Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system.
• Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
• Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.

Information Technology

• To use software packages as appropriate for word processing, as well as specialist packages as required.
• To be competent in the use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and use the LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.

Safety

• To promote a strong safety culture.
• To agree safety objectives and to review performance at appraisal and support the Senior Management Team in carrying out duties with respect to:
  • Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
  • Ensuring relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented.
  • Ensuring implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.

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 your line manager.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Personal 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.
• 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.

Main duties of the job

• Follow protocols/policies in accordance with UKHSA's policies/procedures.
• Perform manual and automated lab techniques following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with expertise in sequence-based methods/techniques.
• Participate/support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of CSL.
• Understand and carry out all aspects of NGS and Sanger sequencing on various commercial platforms using automated liquid handling procedures.
• Follow defined SOPs/protocols and refer non-routine issues to their supervisor.
• Run the service autonomously as required, including development and optimisation of services and organisation of workflows.
• Ensure the smooth flow of samples through the lab, from receipt to testing.
• Carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure samples are being prepared, processed, recorded and archived to a high standard.
• Maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records.
• Facilitate the day-to-day running of the lab by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
• Encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development and rotation.
• Supervise/support junior staff and staff seconded into the unit
• Carry out staff appraisals.
• Review/analyse data to ensure it is suitable for release to customers.
• Assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Post-graduate degree in a medical, microbiology, biological science discipline or equivalent experience working in a laboratory with Next Generation, Sanger sequencing or Oxford Nanopore Technology.
• Experience in running NGS Platforms and sequencing services without supervision.
• Knowledge of automated liquid handling.
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
• Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills.
• Problem-solving skills and ability to respond to sudden, unexpected demands.
• Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable criteria:

• Relevant professional qualification, i.e. registration with the Health and Care professional council (HCPC) as a clinical scientist or Biomedical Scientist.
• Basic knowledge of project principles
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to reprioritise
• Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, networking and persuasive skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,749, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,935 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's 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.

• 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, Experience & Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 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 1000words.

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

If used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

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

• Post-graduate degree in a medical, microbiology, biological science discipline or equivalent experience working in a laboratory with Next Generation, Sanger sequencing or Oxford Nanopore Technology

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

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at the Scientific Campus, Colindale, London. When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience & Technical skills will be tested at interview in the form of questions.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Lead behaviour - Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Developing self and others
• Delivering at pace

Technical Skills will be assessed through technical based questions, these will be based on Next Generation, Sanger Sequencing or Oxford Nanopore Technology.

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.

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.

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.

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 requires Counter 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.

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Link below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

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

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 : John Inglis
• Email : john.inglis@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