Senior Clinical Fellow in Metagenomics

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated registrar in Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology, Virology, public health or paediatrics (including paediatric infectious diseases) who also has a skillset in pathogen genomics and/or clinical epidemiology to join UKHSA as a senior metagenomics clinical fellow.

UKHSA is delivering a 5-year pathogen genomics strategy. We are looking for a clinical fellow to work on clinical aspects of pathogen genomics transformation, within the Chief Medical Advisor Group on a workstream focussing on clinical oversight of metagenomics and governance. The individual will work across the breadth of the programme, but with a particular focus on metagenomics and clinical services development.

This fellowship is an outstanding opportunity for the individual to gain experience and expertise at a national level in areas including pathogen genomics, clinical study leadership and governance, biosecurity and bio surveillance, investigation and management of major incidents and outbreaks; infectious disease surveillance; guidance and policy development and implementation; research; service development and improvement including close collaborative work across regional reference laboratories, directorate and divisions.

An individual plan will be agreed with the Fellow depending on prior experience and interests, setting out their duties and objectives. This role is being recruited to until March 2029, which will take into account the needs of the Division, the pathogen genomics strategy and the individual.

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

During the placement the Specialty Registrar (StR)will be expected to:

Gain understanding and experience of:

• The delivery of the national role of UKHSA.
• The delivery of the metagenomics programme, including clinical oversight and governance.
• Stakeholder management and oversight of strategic partnerships.
• The commissioning and financing of different aspects of the delivery of the programme and their impact on programme performance.
• The role of the various agencies in delivering, managing and monitoring programme.
• Guidance and policy development (national infection guidance and policy).
• Service and quality improvement in relation to infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control.
• Providing public health input into commissioning and financing decisions with regards to the delivery of the programme.

Develop skills in:

• Liaising with other stakeholders to optimise the delivery of public health programme.
• Cross divisional working within UKHSA.
• Providing clinical input into delivery of genomics programme and integration into other national surveillance programmes.
• Policy development and implementation.
• Clinical governance and study protocol leadership.
• Decision making and time management.
• Working on ad hoc analyses of each area of responsibility as directed by consultants and scientists.
• Identifying, investigating and responding to cases, clusters and outbreaks of communicable disease.

Objectives Delivery:

The StR will be expected to agree a plan with their project and educational supervisors. The plan will be tailored to meet the individual StR's needs and the needs of the division and will include the objectives for the placement and the output and timescales expected for any projects.

The StR is expected to:

• Take responsibility for arranging 1:1 sessions with their supervisor(s).
• Inform their educational supervisor of any special requirements, ideally at the pre-placement meeting.
• Inform their education supervisor promptly of any difficulties, including concerns about lack of opportunities to gain experience.
• Attend the workplace as required and on time.
• Share their diaries with UKHSA staff.
• Notify their educational supervisor (or unit/department administrator if unavailable) when unwell.
• To deliver the objectives set out in the plan the StR will be expected to work closely with members of the individual teams.
• Short induction including familiarisation with base, the team, wider colleagues within UKHSA, and organisational arrangements.
• Dealing with enquiries from the public and health professionals as required.
• Issuing advice to clinicians on individual cases.
• Participating in investigation of clusters/ outbreaks.
• Participate in pathogen genomics and metagenomics meetings.
• Chair and support clinical mSCAPE meetings and participating in the duty roster.
• Develop and lead on study/surveillance protocols ensuring adherence to ethical and regulatory requirements.
• Liaising with other Divisions/Directorates where positive results are identified
• Attendance at (and presentation where appropriate) key meetings relevant to the division.
• Attendance at UKHSA cross organisation meetings related to training and/or project work.
• Support projects that advance strategic priorities within the division and across other divisions, tailored to the individual StR’s competencies and development goals.
• To meet regularly with their project and educational supervisors.
• To complete an evaluation of the placement.
• The StR should pursue a programme of continuing professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

The StR is encouraged to attend:

• Unit/departmental education meetings
• Educational meetings with partner agencies
• Other local/national training as appropriate

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Medical degree MBBS or equivalent experience
• Specialist trainee in infectious diseases, microbiology, virology, public health or paediatrics (undertaking a specialty training programme with national training)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Specialist knowledge in pathogen genomics including experience or further qualification
• Understanding of the UK research and NHS system
• Experience in preparation of written reports and published work
• Experience in setting up clinical epidemiology or research studies
• Experience in research and clinical governance

Desirable criteria

• Experience of collaborating within other agencies (e.g. NHS England)
• Experience of presenting complex ideas to stakeholders
• Experience in interpreting bioinformatics knowledge for a variety of stakeholders

Skills and Capabilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner
• Working in a multidisciplinary team
• Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

Desirable criteria

• Ability to develop and manage results from metagenomic pipelines

Equality and Diversity

Essential criteria

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions:

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.
• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

BENEFITS

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.

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.

For Fixed Term Posts (Only include for FTAs) If you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term Appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant based outside of UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan, which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per UKHSA’s pay policy

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

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the Job Description & Person Specification attached to this vacancy advert.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 750 word Statement of Suitability

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your statement of suitability must be no more than 750 words.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

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)

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

Only those who meet ALL essential criteria will be taken through to the next stage

If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead criteria below will be conducted.

• Specialist knowledge in pathogen genomics including experience or further qualification
• Specialist trainee in infectious diseases, microbiology, virology, public health or paediatrics (undertaking a specialty training programme with national training)

We will only take through applications that meet all essential criteria.

Desirable criteria may be used if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a virtual interview over teams

Interviews will be held week commencing 01 June, please note these dates are subject to change.

This vacancy is being assessed using competencies. During the interview we will assess against the below:

Knowledge
Experience
Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to give 5-minute presentation at the start of your interview on the following: What is the role of metagenomics in informing public health action?

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Security Clearance

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

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.

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

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

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.

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 : Anna Aryee
• Email : mscape@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : scs.mdrecruitment@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