Research Scientist - Immunology

Job summary

The Advanced Cellular Immunology (AIG) Group use pre-clinical non-human primate (NHP) models to assess the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a range of novel vaccines and therapeutics to protect against and treat a range of respiratory diseases, including Tuberculosis a disease that was responsible for 1.2 million deaths in 2024.

Working as a scientist within ACI team, you will be involved in the analysis of blood, mucosal and tissue samples to measure the mycobacteria-specific cellular immune response at ACDP Containment Levels 2 & 3 using a range of advanced immunoassays. These will include: ELISPOT assays, multiplex bead arraybased technologies and flow cytometry assays for the interrogation of immunological memory and functional markers in innate and adaptive immune cells such as Conventional T-cell and Donor Unrestricted T-cell (DURTs) populations.

You will also be involved in the optimisation and establishment of new methods and technologies for interrogation of vaccine and infection induced immune responses using bio-archive and pre-clinical trial samples. This role will provide the opportunity to supervise ACDP2 and/or ACDP3 laboratories, maintaining a safe working environment, assessing risks, and organising the provision of consumables and reagents. There will also be some supervision of junior members of staff.

Please note that this is a research scientist post and is not a suitable position for those wishing to complete their BMS portfolio and HCPC registration.

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

• Implement and utilise a range of methods, assays, and techniques at ACDP containment levels 2 & 3 in support of all activities associated with the TB evaluation group’s projects and to ensure project targets are met.
• Develop, optimise, and apply multiparameter cellular immunology assays for the investigation of mycobacteria-specific T-cell function and phenotype, such as polyfunctional T-cell analysis, T-cell activation, memory, and homing phenotypes.
• Apply multiplex bead array technology for the investigation of immune biomarkers as potential correlates of protection.
• Laboratory supervision including responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area.
• Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications.
• 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 comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Education to BSc level (or equivalent) in an appropriate biological science
• Competency in relevant immunology techniques and methods acquired through previous employment or postgraduate study.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and applying multiparameter flow cytometric assays for the investigation of the cellular immune response and phenotype
• Competency working at ACDP containment level 3.
• Experience of working with in vivo models of M. tuberculosis, and a detailed knowledge of M.tb infection, immunology, vaccines and therapeutics.
• Experience of complex data analysis, presentations, reports & publication.
• Good communication skills. Able to work flexibly to meet deadlines. Ability to work in teams and independently. Self-motivating, organised, and meticulous. Willing to undertake further training.
• Experience in scientific writing e.g creating reports, and publications. Experience of creating and giving presentations.
• Experience of ACDP2 / ACDP3 laboratory management and/or supervision.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

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 and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (10) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 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.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the following will proceed to shortlisting:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

• Education to BSc level (or equivalent) in an appropriate biological science.
• Competency in relevant immunology techniques and methods acquired through previous employment or postgraduate study
• Experience of working with in vivo models of M. tuberculosis, and a detailed knowledge of M.tb infection, immunology, vaccines and therapeutics.

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.

Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace - Lead behaviour

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 office/lab based at our site in Porton.

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. 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.

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.

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: 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

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 : Gurkamal Bhambra
• Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ulkhsa.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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk