About the job

Job summary

The Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology group is an applied research group with a particular focus on the study of microorganisms in the environment and control measures to mitigate the impact of human pathogens. A key aim of the group is to provide evidence-based recommendations to prevent the spread of infections both proactively and to assist public health responses. Within the Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology group, the Environmental Virology Team (EVT) develops methods for the environmental detection of pathogenic viruses such as mpox virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Lassa virus to inform public health measures when cases are identified.

The post holder will advance our abilities to detect and characterise pathogenic human viruses in the environment including assessment of virus survival, aerobiology, and remediation. The successful applicant will be required to use, validate, and develop a range of microbiology techniques and will carry out their work in the laboratory including Containment Level (CL) 3 facilities.

The successful applicant will join a team committed to carrying out applied microbiology research to inform infection prevention and control measures for human pathogens, in particular those that pose a significant risk to healthcare workers and the wider community when cases occur.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based in Porton Down, Salisbury, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

About Us

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

Working within the Environmental Virology Team, you will assist with the validation of techniques to accurately detect viral contamination within environmental settings in preparation for future response activities including the detection of imported clinical cases of high consequence infectious disease. With the support of your line manager and other team members, you will advance our capabilities for detecting these high consequence viruses in environmental settings. The post holder will be expected to generate and analyse primary research data, and disseminate research findings through completion of reports, presentations, and publications. This role will rely heavily on mammalian tissue culture, CL2 virology, CL3 virology, and molecular biology (especially qPCR). It is also possible that this role will require assistance with urgent public health responses to collect environmental samples should an incident occur.

This role offers the opportunity to utilise core virology techniques to advance our response capabilities for epidemic/pandemic preparedness and offers the opportunity for the post holder to advance their knowledge in key research areas.

As such, our ideal candidate thrives in a challenging environment, and is comfortable under (occasional) pressure. The role requires a dedicated scientist with good attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and good organisational skills.

The postholder will carry out research to better understand the survival and transmission risk of viruses in the environment (e.g., domestic, healthcare and workplace locations). There will be particular focus on the recovery of viruses from surfaces and in the air using virological techniques to enumerate viable virus present.

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Carry out microbiology and molecular assays to advance our knowledge of virus survival, aerobiology, and remediation of pathogenic viruses.
• Assist the project team to identify, evaluate, and report new technologies and procedures.
• Utilise specialist sampling equipment to provide primary data.
• Work in CL2 and CL3 laboratories as required (specialist training will be provided).
• Assist with urgent public health responses where possible (specialist training will be provided).

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.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential criteria

• Degree and relevant experience in virology or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area.
• Good knowledge and familiarity with general virological/microbiological techniques.
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
• Good communication skills.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet varying needs.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable criteria

• Practical experience with specialist techniques e.g., cell culture, virus culture, qPCR, plaque assays, aerobiology, or CL3 work.
• Experience in the development and evaluation of technologies and techniques.
• Ability to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload.
• Experience of working with external partners or key stakeholders.
• Experience of environmental sampling for microbiological field work.

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form (this is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history).

In addition, you are also required to submit a 750-word ‘Statement of Suitability’ which should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge translate to this role. Please provide evidence of your suitability for the role, especially with reference to the essential and desirable criteria.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview which will further assess knowledge, behaviours, technical experience, abilities, and strengths.

Interviews will be held approximately 3 weeks after the closing date. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 24/06/2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: w/c 08/07/2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.  People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

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: Complaints1@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. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.