Team Leader

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.

Based between UKHSA Porton and Colindale (London) sites, the High Containment Microbiology (HCM) department undertakes work on the highest categorisation of human and animal pathogens, those at ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) and SAPO (Specified Animal Pathogens Order) Hazard Group 4, to support UK and international clinical and research needs.

The main roles of the department are to:

• Deliver efficient effective co-ordination of response to disease outbreaks by high consequence pathogens
• To ensure the provision of trained and competent staff to work at high containment for the UK clinical and public health need
• To develop and implement a scientific strategy to keep the area at the cutting edge of scientific and technological advances for working with high consequence pathogens
• To conduct research and development activities for ACDP4 and SAPO4 pathogens.

Job description

The Team Leader will lead and manage project teams, working closely with other team leaders in the department to ensure the successful delivery of clinical and research projects on Hazard Group 4 viruses. They will lead the development and optimisation of a range of virology and immunological assays for these viruses, identifying and implementing new techniques and technology to enhance the department’s capability for virus detection.

The Team Leader will be encouraged to develop their own areas of interest and expertise within the department, to actively seek out project opportunities and to secure external funding. The role will require working at Containment Level 4 and the post-holder will be required to fulfil all appropriate training and security clearance requirements.

• Use scientific knowledge and expertise to develop and co-ordinate diagnostic support and research programmes for ACDP Hazard Group 3 and 4 pathogens, in conjunction with other HCM Project Team Leaders and department senior management
• To be an active worker in CL3 and CL4 laboratories and participate in projects developing and implementing assays for emerging highly pathogenic viruses, to support the HCM research and clinical strategy
• To work across sites (Colindale and Porton) and across multidisciplinary teams, both within UKHSA and with those of other national and international institutes
• To identify and implement new techniques and technologies that will support and enhance HCM capability and delivery of clinical and research projects
• To develop and nurture links with external organisations (e.g. in academia and industry)
• To seek out and secure external funding opportunities, where appropriate
• To take an active role in preparation of reports and manuscripts for publication, and in presenting results internally and externally
• To obtain and maintain competence in Containment Level 3 and 4 laboratories and comply with all training and competency requirements of the area.
• To obtain and maintain security vetting at SC level
• To support the group manager and project team in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
• To support the maintenance of health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1)
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
• 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 division and UKHSA.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology/immunology/microbiology.
• Extensive post-doctoral experience in virology and/or high containment microbiology. Practical knowledge of a wide range of molecular virology methods
• Knowledge and skills compatible with working in a high containment environment
• Demonstrable expertise in setting up and successfully leading scientific projects, meeting targets and complying with safety, security, quality and financial systems
• Demonstrable experience training, managing and leading project teams
• Considerable expertise communicating scientific work effectively, e.g. through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of working in clinical laboratories

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,494, UK Health Security Agency contributes £17,525 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

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

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)
• 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 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:

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology/immunology/microbiology
• Extensive post-doctoral experience in virology and/or high containment microbiology. Practical knowledge of a wide range of molecular virology methods
• Demonstrable expertise in setting up and successfully leading scientific projects, meeting targets and complying with safety, security, quality and financial systems

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

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Colindale.

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 through a presentation and questioning.

You will be required to conduct a 10 minute Presentation during the interview, on a virology research question that genuinely interests you. Explain how you would pursue it in a high‑containment laboratory.

More information about the presentation will be sent to candidates invited to interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Leadership (Lead)
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

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.

Location

This role is based at Colindale, London. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass standard 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 Security Clearance.

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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) 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

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 : Grade 7 £60,494 - £70,566

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 security 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