About the job

Job summary

Overview:

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.

Summary:

We are currently recruiting for a Commercial Biosafety Scientist to work within the Commercial Biosafety Team based in the Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation division at Porton Down.

The Biosafety department at Porton Down are worldwide leaders in Aerobiology and Biocontainment. Our expertise is in air, surface and water microbiology is applied to healthcare, pharmaceutical and containment settings.

A unique and exciting opportunity has opened in the Commercial testing arm of Biosafety; providing independent tests to prove medical or lab equipment is safe for the end user, utilising aerosolised microorganisms. We work with customers around the world, from global giants to small businesses to improve lab safety and efficacy of equipment in the built environment. The successful candidate will be involved in seeing product development, issuing project reports and certificates of testing, and understanding product compliance.

Full training on advanced aerobiological and biocontainment techniques will be provided by subject matter experts, however basic microbiological knowledge regarding aseptic technique and enumeration of bacteria is expected. The ideal candidate for this role enjoys practical lab work, problem solving, working with their hands, and learning new skills. Good literacy and numeracy combined with excellent customer service are essential to this role.

The postholder will have relevant degree and/or work experience in a microbiology laboratory and proven abilities to undertake a broad range of standard bacteriological and bacteria phage techniques. A high degree of flexibility is expected, as the project is closely linked to other programmes of work within Biosafety.

Location:

This role will be based at Porton Down, SP4 0JG

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

Job description

The Commercial Biosafety scientist will carry out laboratory testing for external commercial customers to defined protocols determining the efficacy of equipment such as:

• filters
• air disinfection units,
• the performance of microbiological safety cabinets,
• sealed centrifuges, (buckets and rotors)
• air samplers
• the effectiveness of liquid and gaseous disinfectants within laboratory and healthcare facilities.
• Any other items of equipment suitable for testing

The successful applicant will also be expected to:

• Write draft reports for the work. Results of which will be disseminated to external commercial stakeholders through discussion and written reports.
• Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met on time and within budget.
• Take responsibility for the control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project.
• Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and report new procedures where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific level.
• Supply data to agreed timescales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations, and publications.
• To develop skills and understanding in the fields of microbiology, aerobiology, and biocontainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met on time and within budget.
• Take responsibility for the control and stocks of reagents for their own area of the project.
• Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and report new procedures where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific level.
• Supply data to agreed timescales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations, and publications.
• To develop skills and understanding in the fields of microbiology, aerobiology, and biocontainment.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures, other good practice and guidance.

Person specification

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

**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**

Essential Criteria:

• Degree or relevant experience in a microbiology topic/environment or related field
• Knowledge and experience in relevant methods (bacteriology, air sampling, containment equipment) acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course relevant for project
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices in microbiology.
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
• Good communication skills
• Self-motivating, organized & meticulous
• Able to work flexibly to meet varying needs
• Willing to undertake further training
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge and experience in relevant methods (bacteriology, air sampling, containment equipment) acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course relevant for project
• Experience of working in a quality environment and implementing quality systems
• Good knowledge of report writing and delivering results to customers

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 a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 500 words. You can also choose 250 words per behaviours

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. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview via In-person.

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.

Alongside essential and desirable criteria outlined in the person specification, the Success Profiles framework will be considered at to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. 

The following behaviours will be used at the interview: 

• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Expected Timeline: 

Advert close: 23:55hrs 07/01/2024 – 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: TBC

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&Cs 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.