About the job

Job summary

The postholder will work in the Central Sequencing Laboratory as part of a team to perform a range of tasks to undertake the execution of the DNA sequencing (NGS and Sanger) and Fragment Analysis Services in the UK Health Security Agency. Flexible working is required for this role. The post holder will be expected to maintain at all times the required high standards and quality to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of genomic sequencing technologies and current working practices within the unit. 

Location

This role is based at Colindale, NW9 5EQ, United.

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

Job description

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To follow agreed protocols and policies in accordance with the UKHSA policies and procedures.
• Perform manual and automated laboratory techniques following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with expertise in sequence-based methods and techniques.
• To participate and support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of CSL.
• To understand and carry out all aspects of NGS and Sanger sequencing on Illumina and Applied Biosystems platforms using automated liquid handling procedures
• To run the service autonomously when required, including development and optimisation of services and organisation of workflows
• To ensure the smooth flow of samples through the laboratory, from receipt to testing.
• To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that samples are being prepared, processed, recorded and archived to a high standard.
• To maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records of these.
• To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
• To encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development and rotation
• To supervise and support EO and AO grade staff in the unit.
• To review and analyse data to ensure it is suitable for release to customers.
• To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
• To participate in formal staff appraisal
• To provide supervision for the work of staff or persons seconded to the unit
• Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.

Quality

In collaboration with the Quality Team & local management, to:

• Maintain a high standard of work, and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective and economical and follow best practice
• Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system
• Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes
• Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards
• Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.

Information Technology

• To use software packages as appropriate for word processing, as well as specialist packages as required.
• To be competent in the use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) and use the LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure

Safety

• To promote a strong safety culture
• To agree safety objectives and to review performance at appraisal and support Senior Management Team in carrying out duties with respect to
• Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
• Ensuring relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented.
• Ensuing implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.

Other

• 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 UK HSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Personal development

• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
• Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e., fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training
• Undertake specialist training in WGS and molecular techniques.

Communication and key working relationships

Internal

• To liaise with section head, all staff within CSL and with staff from other departments as appropriate.
• To liaise with other staff within Specialist Microbiology & Laboratories and to assist and advise other scientists, registered scientists, trainees and visitors working in the group.
• Line management of EO and AO Grade staff.

External

• To liaise with collaborators and external CSL customers
• To liaise with staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA
• Professional contacts.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1200 words (max) 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 in a relevant biological science
• Experience in running NGS Platforms and Applied Biosystems sequencing services without supervision
• Knowledge of automated liquid handling
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
• Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
• 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:

• Relevant professional qualification i.e., registration with the health and care professional council (HCPC) as clinical scientist or Biomedical Scientist
• Basic knowledge of project principles
• Previously worked in a similar position within the public sector
• Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, networking and persuasive skills
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise

Benefits

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 1200 words.

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 Teams.

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.

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

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

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs 04/02/2024 – 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.