Laboratory Services Supervisor

Job summary

Are you an experienced laboratory professional with a passion for quality in radioanalytical sciences? Do you have the skills and knowledge to lead a team of technicians in a fast-paced and dynamic environment? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for the laboratory services supervisor position in the Operational Services Department at the UK Health Security Agency.
UKHSA is an industry leader in radiation protection providing a national emergency response capability and servicing a wide range of commercial clients. We are looking for a laboratory services supervisor to oversee the daily operations of our operational services laboratory facilities in Leeds and Chilton (Oxfordshire) and ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance.

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.

Job description

The provision of highly specialised scientific services within the department’s laboratory services group.

These duties will predominantly include:

• Supervision of the department’s radiometric laboratories and personal dosimetry service at the Leeds and Chilton locations.
• The latter to include joint responsibility for the acquisition and maintenance of the ISO 17025 standard.
• Acting as the quality manager for the department’s RPA-body management arrangements.

They may also occasionally include:

• The commercial services of the department: primarily undertaking radiation survey and other work in support of radiation protection adviser and non-ionising radiation protection adviser services.
• Technical, computing and scientific work underpinning the assessment of radiation exposures and development of advice to clients.
• Specialised scientific projects. These require a wide range of skills depending on the nature and area of work, and may involve scientific measurements, laboratory work and mathematical modelling.

Training and supervision of more junior staff.

Line management of junior laboratory staff.

Providing emergency response support in accordance with the RCCE radiation emergency plan.

This position will be based at the RCCE Leeds site.

SCIENTIFIC DUTIES

• The postholder will plan and carry out a range of scientific duties, including:
• The scientific analysis of gamma spectrometry measurements, and the output of other specialised radiometric counting equipment. The reporting of results, either to other OSD staff or to external clients.
• The processing and reading of neutron and radon (personal) dosemeters in accordance with the requirements of the department’s HSE Approved Dosimetry Service
• Routine calibrations of radiometric counting equipment
• Routine maintenance checks on specialised laboratory facilities, and confirmation of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems.
• General laboratory work and scientific functions.
• Providing assistance with the assessment of radiation facilities on the premises of clients, and the writing of technical reports incorporating the results of any measurements, recommendations for safe working etc.

Many of these duties will entail working alone and unsupervised. The postholder will be expected to carry out accurate scientific work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and comment on and develop new standing operating procedures where appropriate. This will require a good level of knowledge and technical skill.

The postholder will be responsible for the use and maintenance of complex scientific equipment and will use a range of IT software including databases and software developed in house. These may be used for record keeping and the calculation of scientific information.

TRAINING

The training, supervision and line management of more junior laboratory staff.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Participation in the UKHSA response to radiological emergencies, in accordance with the roles described in the RCCE radiation emergency plan. These roles will include carrying out people monitoring, environmental sampling and measurements as part of an emergency monitoring team, and laboratory analysis of samples.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• 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.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA

Person specification

Essential role criteria

• Science degree or a degree in a relevant science discipline (e.g. Radiation, Maths, Engineering), or relevant experience in the scientific support of radiation protection services or projects
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft office packages, especially Work, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams
• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Capable or working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements
• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines and to prioritise the workload
• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations
• Technical competence in taking measurements coupled with good numerate ability
• Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues.
• Excellent organisational skills
• High degree of self-motivation
• Good time management and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Ability to remain focused on a task and concentrate on the matter in hand
• Approachable and open with a high level of integrity and honesty
• Willingness to travel within UK and full clean UK driving license
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable role criteria:

• Radiometrics laboratory experience
• Demonstrable experience of supervising staff in a laboratory environment
• Good knowledge of radiation protection and radiometric principles

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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

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

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,000 word supporting statement.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.

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 CV –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.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may 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.

Shortlisting

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

• Science degree or a degree in a relevant science discipline (e.g. Radiation, Maths, Engineering), or relevant experience in the scientific support of radiation protection services or projects
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment
• Technical competence in taking measurements coupled with good numerate ability

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

Knowledge, Experience, Skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a short laboratory based test post interview to assess your technical competence in taking measurements and numerate ability.

Interviews dates 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: External

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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental Hazards (RCCE) site in Leeds.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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.

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 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:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard
• Counter-terrorist Check

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : David Wilson
• Email : recruitment@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 here.

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7853312