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Job summary

The Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCCE) at the UK Health Security Agency provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. The Toxicology Department provides Public Health advice to other parts of RCCE, the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments and agencies, Local Authorities and other stakeholders including members of the public on the risks to health from environmental hazards (chemicals, particles and bioaerosols). The Toxicology Department undertakes research that underpins chemical regulation and policy development. All of the research underpins the UKHSA role in public health protection from environmental hazards.

The International Regulation Group within the Toxicology Department undertakes translational research activities using in silico, in vitro and in vivo models for chemical hazard assessment, and works to harmonise these tools in collaboration with international partners, particularly the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Test Guideline Programme and related bodies. The OECD Environment Health and Safety programme covers the safe use of chemicals, nanomaterials, pesticides, biocides, and products of modern biotechnology. It aims to protect health and the environment, while avoiding duplication of effort, ensuring that efficiencies are made and barriers to trade avoided.

Job description

• The post is a predominantly desk based scientific research role. You may manage junior toxicologists.
• The post holder will provide and contribute to the toxicology and public health input to international chemical regulation programmes specifically, but not exclusively the OECD Test Guidelines programme and related OECD work.
• This will involve collaborating and coordinating with leading senior scientists in UKHSA and across UK government and associated agencies and to ensure the standard of oversight and UK contributions to the Test Guideline and other regulatory programmes is maintained and developed. This will require the ability critically review complex data sets and carry out critical reviews of evidence. Experience in computational tool development and modelling of data, or laboratory skills, is highly desirable. The post holder will support the UK Human Health National Coordinator for the OECD Test Guideline programme, and the Working Party on Hazard Assessment as required and will publish research findings in leading journals in both a lead and senior author capacity and make presentations at learned societies and the OECD. They will be expected to apply for external funding to support translational research activities.
• The postholder will also be expected to input into a programme of laboratory development and validation of New Approach Methodologies, including in silico tools, in the chemicals regulatory space addressing Refinement and Replacement.
• Contribute to and take responsibility for specific aspects of the design, development and completion of in vivo and in vitro data analysis tasks.
• Develop expert scientific and regulatory relevant advice on the hazard assessment of chemicals.
• Design, execute and undertake studies to support the development and validation of appropriate methods for chemical testing to support regulatory objectives for chemical safety.
• Contribute to the management of regulatory /translational research projects including: planning, experimental design, procedures and data analysis.
• Be the support lead for UKHSA, collaborating with senior government officials and officials in national and international bodies in particular the OECD, in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area and in the provision of advice.
• Collaborate with internal and external scientists in the development of proposals for funding and the development of programmes for experimental work.
• Produce sound scientific papers for external peer reviewed publication and give presentations at levels including international conferences.
• Assist in the supervision of junior staff, internal and from collaborating organisations (eg MSc, PhD students).
• Undertake specific development tasks for the Group Leader (eg Health and Safety responsibilities).

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• PhD qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or experience of working at a similar level in a relevant area of regulatory toxicology
• Experience of assessing health risks from chemicals
• Awareness of broad public health and environmental issues
• Ability to critically assess relevant data and information to assess the toxicity of chemicals journals
• Experience in vitro cell culture and /or in silico tool development
• Good scientific writing skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, and plan work over short-, medium- and long-term timeframes
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable criteria:

• Inclusion in UK Register of Toxicologists
• Experience in test method (pre)validation
• Experience in public health
• Regulatory experience
• Experience in industry
• Experience of teaching or training

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,789 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's 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.

• 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 9 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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500.

Longlisting:

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(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

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

• PhD qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or experience of working at a similar level in a relevant area of regulatory toxicology
• Experience in vitro cell culture and /or in silico tool development
• Good scientific writing skills

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 face to face interview at our Scientific Campus in Chilton

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview in the form of questions.

There will be a Presentation.

The subject of this will be - How your work experience can contribute to the needs of the role. This should last no longer than 10 minutes, with 5 minutes of questions afterwards.

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.

Please Note - For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our campus.

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

When based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of 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.

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. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : John Inglis
• Email : john.inglis@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk