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 and Pathogen Characterisation (DPC) Division is based at Porton and has approximately 150 staff, focusing on key initial steps in the control of infections, namely pathogen identification, characterisation, and development of diagnostics. The Virology and Pathogenesis and Pathogen Characterisation (VPPC) group sits in the DPC Division within Science Group. VPPC’s work focuses on arboviruses, viral haemorrhagic fevers and other emerging zoonotic viruses which cause infections in humans and pose a significant risk to public health. The group’s activity corresponds with the institute’s status as a WHO Collaborating Centre for virus research and reference (special pathogens) and ranges from the development of diagnostics and surveillance through to the assessment of interventions and vaccines. As such multiple international links and networks are part of its remit.

We currently have an exciting opportunity within the Virology and Pathogenesis Group where we are seeking to appoint a scientist with previous virology and immunology experience. The successful candidates would be joining a dynamic team of scientists dedicated to improving public health through the development of innovative virology programmes. The roles will be based in a team specialising in the development of in vivo models of viral disease and immunology.

Job description

• Develop, implement and utilise a range of virology and immunology techniques in support of project activities.
• Keep accurate records of clinical outputs generated from in vivo studies and process samples resulting from these studies (e.g sera separation and isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells).
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project area.
• Produce data for review by Senior Scientists for input into reports.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, for preparation of presentations and publications.
• Present data at internal group meetings and national/international conferences.
• Lead in laboratory supervision, ensuring appropriate equipment is available and calibrated.
• Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• Undertake work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems.
• Maintain health and safety competence.
• Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
• 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.

An opportunity has arisen to appoint a scientist with experience in virology and immunology to join a dynamic and highly skilled team. The successful candidate will contribute to innovative virology programmes that support UKHSA’s public health mission. The role will sit within a team specialising in the development and application of in vivo models of viral disease and immunology.

The post holder will develop, implement and utilise a range of virology and immunology techniques in support of project activities. This will include contributing to in vivo studies of viral infection and immune responses, processing and handling in vivo samples generated from these studies (for example sera separation and isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells), and ensuring that all work is conducted to a high standard of scientific rigour.

The role requires the maintenance of accurate, complete and auditable records of experimental work and clinical outputs, in line with UKHSA quality and governance requirements. The post holder will be responsible for the provision, management and appropriate use of reagents and consumables required for the project area, ensuring continuity of laboratory activity and efficient use of resources.

The post holder will generate high‑quality data for review by senior scientists and contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations and publications through appropriate analysis of data using relevant software tools and databases. They will be expected to present data clearly and confidently at internal group meetings and, where appropriate, at national and international scientific conferences.

In addition, the post holder will take a lead role in aspects of laboratory supervision, ensuring that appropriate equipment is available, maintained and calibrated in accordance with relevant procedures. They will work in compliance with all applicable UKHSA safety and quality systems and maintain their own health and safety competence, contributing to a strong safety culture within the laboratory environment.

The post holder will fulfil the requirements of UKHSA values and the Civil Service Code, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, collaboration and accountability in all aspects of their work. They will comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures and undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as required by the line manager.

This job description outlines the main responsibilities and outcomes required of the role but is not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to undertake additional duties as may reasonably be required to meet the changing needs of the department and UKHSA. The job description and person specification may be reviewed periodically to reflect evolving organisational priorities.

It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature. Information relating to this work must not be disclosed to unauthorised persons and may only be communicated where required for authorised purposes and in line with UKHSA policies.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and UKHSA.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Degree (or equivalent level qualification) in an appropriate discipline such as virology, immunology or molecular biology
• Experience of using a variety of virology methods (e.g. cultivation, quantification, characterisation)
• Knowledge of immunological assays
• Knowledge of animal models of disease
• Good record keeping, attention to detail
• Experience of working in a regulated environment and knowledge of UKAS and/or ISO quality standards
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Desirable criteria

• Experience of developing immunological assays
• Experience of animal models of disease
• Experience of collaboration across other work groups
• Knowledge and experience of working in containment level 3
• Knowledge and experience of cell culture

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/Experience/Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 750 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 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 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:

• Degree (or equivalent level qualification) in an appropriate discipline such as virology, immunology or molecular biology
• Experience of using a variety of virology methods (e.g. cultivation, quantification, characterisation)
• Knowledge of immunological assays

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 Porton (Salisbury), SP4 0JG.

If 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 via questioning.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working Together (Lead Behaviour)
• Making effective decisions
• Communicating and influencing
• Delivering at pace

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 Scientific Campus in Porton (Salisbury). 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.

Based at our scientific campus, 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.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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 : 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/7998128