About the job

Job summary

Applications are invited from HCPC registered Clinical Scientists or Biomedical Scientists for the above post, which is based in the Microbiology Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. The Clinical Scientist post will involve working in Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular Virology, Molecular Bacteriology and Mycobacteriology helping to develop and maintain diagnostic assays.

Location

This is a Lab based role, located at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS.

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

Working Pattern – Full Time

Job description

Main Responsibilities:

• Responsible for developing high quality and cost-effective clinical and public health microbiology assays, to carry out full assay validation/verification to the point of routine services.
• To exploit new technologies, such as laboratories full automation systems and NGS.
• To carry out a regular (annual) prospective review on the existing assays, to stay up to date with scientific developments and ensure the service assays are fit for purpose.
• To provide support and make sure service delivery is accurate and timely.
• Work closely with laboratory mangers, scientists, clinicians and all other member of staff to ensure the laboratory UKAS accreditation is maintained.
• To participate in audits and the quality management system.
• Provision of teaching and training.
• To carry out research including obtaining external funding and contribute to writing scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and project reports to funding bodies. To present scientific findings at local, national and international meetings/conferences.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Registered with the HCPC as a Clinical Scientist or Biomedical Scientist.
• A PhD (or a degree and relevant experience) in Microbiology or Biological Science or related subject.
• Has a knowledge and experience of molecular biology techniques, interpreting and evaluating clinical and experimental data, writing scientific papers and/or project reports and presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management, techniques and tools, such as Excel and Access Ability.
• Experience of drafting briefing papers or internal reports.
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making, capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly, as well as demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable

• Experience in outbreak investigation.
• Thorough understanding of recent advances in the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
• Understanding of the microbiology of communicable diseases of public health interest and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.
• Demonstrated experience of coordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.
• Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.

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 and statement of suitability. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview either face to face or via video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at interview.

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Please note, as part of the selection process, you may be asked to take a test or deliver a presentation.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours and strengths will be used at the interview:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Adaptable
• Analytical
• Challenger
• Decisive
• Efficient
• Precise
• Problem solver
• Strategic
• Team player

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 1st January 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.

Shortlist: TBC

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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.