About the job

Job summary

Diagnostic Research Scientist

HEO National - £30,473 to £37,215

Location: Porton Down, On site

FTC Contract until 31 March 2025

The Diagnostic Accelerator function supports the Diagnostic Strategy by developing diagnostics quickly in response to new and emerging pathogens, in collaboration with commercial and/or academic partners. The function also works with other teams within the division, the Science Group, and the UKHSA, as well as external organisations such as academia, commercial Diagnostic firms, HMG, FIND, CEPI, WHO, BMGF, USG, and others. The function ensures compliance with all relevant national and international regulations, in close coordination with the Standards, Regulatory and Quality Assurance directorate.

The Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation department is located at Porton and has about 130 staff. The department conducts various research activities on pathogen characterisation; virology and pathogenesis; diagnostics, innovation and evaluation; and biosafety and environmental microbiology.

The department contributes to the UKHSA’s vision of being a global leader in vaccines/therapeutics and diagnostics.

Porton Down, Salisbury

Working Pattern – Full Time, on site, 37.5 hours per week.

Job description

Responsibilities section:

To work as a Diagnostic Research Scientist in the Diagnostic Accelerator team providing serological/molecular/antigenic expertise to deliver scientific and technical projects.  To evaluate commercial assays and ensure delivery of new/improved/refined diagnostic assays for use in UKHSA or NHS diagnostic labs as well as training and surge capacity in the event of an outbreak.

Key Responsibilities

1. Develop/Evaluate/Implement and utilise a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
2. Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
3. Independent working under the direction of the Project Team Leader to identify, evaluate and adapt new commercial diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
4. Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
5. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
6. To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
7. To maintain health and safety competence.
8. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
9. 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 the directorate.

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 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

 

Essential Criteria:

Essential

• Degree in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology
• Experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses such as Real-time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Demonstrates experience of having work experience within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO 9001;GLP, UKAS).

Desirable

• Experience in working at ACDP CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests
• Relevant higher degree i.e., MSc/PhD in Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology
• Relevant HCPC Registration e.g., Clinical Scientist/Biomedical Scientist

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,473, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,227 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. 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 a face-to-face interview. 

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.  

Expected Timeline:

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

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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/

Complaint process:

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.