About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting role within the Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE) in UKHSA.   As Junior Biodosimetrist you will provide support to Senior Scientists whilst developing their own skills and experience to become an independent scientist.

The postholder will also support and contribute towards existing and future research projects across a number of topics related to biological dosimetry, as well as supporting routine operations in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Location:  

This role will be based on site at: RCE Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RQ.

*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, Part Time, Job Share and Flexible Working.

Job description

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:

• Laboratory work and scientific functions. These will involve biological laboratory work and compilation of data for analysis. The main methods used in the job will be blood cell culture, chromosome analysis, cellular assays of DNA damage.
• The use of various fluorescent and light microscopes during analysis.
• Preparation of datasets from experimental studies and suspected radiation exposure cases that will be incorporated into peer reviewed scientific publications or individual exposure assessment reports.
• Support of the chromosomal dosimetry service as and when cases arrive.
• Support and contribute to the wider research interests of the group, including currently radiation-induced cataract, clinical patient radiosensitivity and Lynch Syndrome.
• Use of specialised laboratory equipment including sophisticated automated and fluorescent microscopes that require computational skills, manual dexterity and general laboratory skills.
• Routine stock checks and maintenance checks on specialised laboratory facilities and confirmation of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems.
• Ordering of laboratory supplies using MaPS online ordering.
• Training in and contribution to radiation and wider emergency response, according to the needs of the organisation.

Please review the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities.

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 500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• A minimum of 2 A levels, one of which must be in a science subject (or equivalent experience)
• Basic IT skills or qualifications
• Excellent communication skills, including writing of reports; making scientific and more public-facing presentations, and an ability to form and maintain productive and working relationships:
• Excellent management and planning skills, including good time management and ability to prioritise, work under pressure and work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to meet deadlines and strong problem solving and analytic skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively both autonomously and within a team.

Desirable

• Some experience in biological laboratory or experimental work
• Awareness of radiobiology and radiation protection
• Awareness of UKHSA and its goals as an organisation
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends.

Please review the Job Description for a full list of the criteria.

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. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – 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 stage will involve an in-person 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. 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 18th March 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: w/c 19th March 2024.

Interviews: 27th March 2024

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.