About the job

Job summary

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.  

We are looking for a Laboratory Assistant to join our Clinical Evaluation Team and contribute delivery of projects related to GxP testing of vaccine candidates in our Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre. The VDEC is a world-class facility that conducts laboratory research to support all stages of vaccine and therapeutic development, from discovery to licensure on a range of emerging health security threats. The Clinical Evaluation team in VDEC played a critical role in the COVID-19 response and is now expanding its scope and impact to other priority pathogens. As a member of our team, you will help and shape the UK’s vaccine strategy and contribute to the health and economic prosperity of the nation. 

The successful candidate will be educated to GCSE level Grade 4/C or NVQ Level 2 in Maths and English with a keen interest in science. It would be beneficial if the candidate had experience working in a laboratory environment on regulated studies/projects (GCP / ISO9001:2015). The role will require an understanding of safe working practices; with experience of working in a health care environment. We have two positions available, a permanent and fixed term contract until 31st of March 2025.

Job description

Your main duties include:

• This job will include routine laboratory assistant activities such as reagent preparation, laboratory equipment management, laboratory housekeeping and maintenance, waste management and when required, supporting clinical sample receipt, retrieval and processing. The post holder will be expected to and ensure the work is carried out to high scientific, safety and quality standard.
• The postholder will have good attention to detail, be proactive and be able to work in a precise manner. The post holder will need good communication skills and ability to work in a team.
• The post holder will provide laboratory assistant experience to support the delivery of the testing activities that support vaccine licensure within the Clinical Evaluation Team. The post would suit a candidate with some lab-based support/technician experience, especially in a regulated (i.e., GxP) environment but full training can be given.

Please read all the information on this page carefully - The main duties and responsibilities for the role are displayed below

Main duties and responsibilities include:

Perform a range of tasks as directed by line manager/supervisor:

• Ensure laboratory equipment and instruments are suitably checked, maintained, and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date.
• Operate, maintain, clean and disinfect laboratory equipment safely and comply with waste disposal protocols.
• Maintain clean safe and tidy working environment and follow appropriate risk assessments.
• Monitor laboratory stocks and supplies and support ordering and inventory management.
• Provide support for sample reception, storage and retrieval.
• Receive, process and support testing on a range of clinical samples.
• Operate a range of laboratory equipment and instruments, e.g., centrifuges, analyzers, microbiology safety cabinets. 
• Work to Good Clinical Practice- follow standard operating procedures and record information accurately.
• Undergo any training requirements as required for the post.
• Assist in the training of new staff.
• To comply with UKHSA policy and procedures.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade

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 UKHSA.
• 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 authorized purposes. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

• 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.

Person specification

Essential criteria

You will be assessed on the below 8 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description 

• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
• Ability to communicate information clearly and developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well within teams maintain effective working relationships with team members.
• Ability to work methodically and record data accurately.
• Computer literate and confident in the use MS Office
• Willing to undertake security clearance and/or vaccinations as required
• An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

 

Desirable criteria

• GCSE in maths and English at Grade C or above or Educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
• NVQ level 3 / A-Levels in a relevant subject or equivalent vocational qualification or equivalent or higher level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
• Experience of working in a laboratory or healthcare environment acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course.
• Experience of handling and testing clinical samples in a high throughput environment.
• Experience and/or understanding of working to Quality Standards (e.g., ISO9001, GxP)
• Practical experience with specialist techniques for project i.e., sample management, working in a containment level 2 laboratory, reagent preparation, equipment and waste management.
• Good time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise according to conflicting demands. 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £22,370, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,039 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience, Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift  

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed (7) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of   

• a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• a  word Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words.  

 This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.  

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist. 

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on Technical Knowledge.

Please do not exceed 750 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

 Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. Since face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be   

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. 

Location information   

This is a Lab-based role working at Porton Down,Wiltshire.

Eligibility Criteria 

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

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.

Disability Confident scheme  

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.    

Reserve List clause  

 Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.   

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.   

Starting salary  

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.    

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.    

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.   

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

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.