Project Team Leader Phage

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 Countermeasures Development and Evaluation Centre is based at Porton and has approximately 250 staff, performing a range of research activities,including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving vaccine and therapeutic, discovery, evaluation, development, and research.

The Antimicrobial Development, Discovery and Diagnostics (AD3) team sits in the Countermeasures Development, Evaluation and Preparedness Division in the Public Health Microbiology Directorate within the Chief Scientific Officer Group. Its work focuses on the discovery, development and evaluation of antimicrobial therapies directed at UKHSA priority pathogens, with a particular focus on AMR/emerging pathogens.

The post holder will provide specialist laboratory skills in support of the bacteriophage ‘integrated pathway’ programme, which is developing a phage service to support clinical use of phage in the UK (including an in-house phage library). The post holder will also contribute towards developing novel phage susceptibility testing methods and supporting UK-based phage manufacture.

Job description

• Provide Project Management support to the Phage programme.
• Evaluate the susceptibility of clinical isolates to phage preparations proposed for use in therapy.
• Develop, maintain and manage the AD3 Team bacteriophage collection
• Develop and validate novel phage susceptibility testing methods
• Supervise and mentor junior staff members, including line management.
• Analyse data and provide written and verbal reports to internal and external stakeholders, including clinicians.
• Comply with all applicable Quality and Safety standards.

Experience of working with ACDP2 pathogens and performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing is essential, with experience working with bacteriophage and/or working in a clinical laboratory desirable. A degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Biomedical Science, Microbiology, Biology) is essential, while an IBMS accredited degree, is highly desirable. Demonstrable interest in the discovery or development of novel antimicrobial therapies is essential, either through project wet-lab work, modules taken in a degree, or knowledge gained through research in the area. Experience of supervising junior staff is essential and it is expected that the post holder will contribute to developing the scientific direction of the work.

Experience of grant writing and a proven ability to write publications are essential. Although not essential the post would suit a Clinical Scientist with recent registration or a Biomedical Scientist with a significant portfolio of relevant experience. Good organisational and communication skills are essential, as the post holder will be working as part of a dynamic team, with a range of academic and industrial partners. Appropriate further training and personal professional development will be positively encouraged.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the project team or project area to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Lead the team in developing and validating novel phage susceptibility methods.
• Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
• Responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
• Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project, including line management of junior staff.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager and the Head of CDEP, commensurate with grade.
• Undertake all assigned work in accordance with the UKHSA’s Risk Management Systems, policies, and procedures.
• To undertake work in accordance with UKHSA’s Health and Safety policies and procedures and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Behaviours
• Ensure lab supervisors within team achieve and maintain health and safety competence as lab supervisors in line with UKHSA policy and guidance.
• To achieve and maintain own and team’s health and safety competence set out in UKHSA Policies.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
• 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 department and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria :

• Biomedical or Biological Science BSc and Relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a microbiological research setting
• Practical experience in the evaluation of antimicrobial therapies, including phage
• Experience of working in a ACDP containment level 2 laboratory environment
• Experience of grant writing
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience of working flexibly and independently within a team

Desirable criteria:

• Registration (or working towards registration) as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist
• Molecular microbiology skills
• Experience of working with bacteriophage
• Bioinformatics skills
• Experience engaging with external stakeholders
• Publication record
• Experience or understanding of working within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO9001, GCP)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,938, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,149 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

Competency Based

You will be 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)
• 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.

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 :

• Biomedical or Biological Science BSC and Relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a microbiological research setting
• Practical experience in the evaluation of antimicrobial therapies, including phage

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

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

You will be required to do 10 minute presentation on a research project you have led. Please note, further information about the presentation will be shared with candidates successful at getting to interview stage.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton. 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.

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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. 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).

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

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.

Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

• £41983 - £48128 per annum, pro rata

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 : Nigel Poole
• Email : Nigel.Poole@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