About the job

Job summary

The outbreak response laboratory scientist plays a vital role in supporting various aspects of laboratory work aimed at combating infectious disease outbreaks in ODA-eligible countries. They will actively participate in the development, validation, and optimisation of assays crucial for the accurate and timely detection of infectious agents from patient specimens. The outbreak response laboratory scientist is also responsible for conducting routine maintenance tasks and implementing quality control measures to ensure that the RRML remains fully functional and ready for deployment. They will provide support and expertise to microbiology-focused UK-PHRST research projects and capacity strengthening activities. Collaborating with partners in ODA-eligible countries, they will contribute to building local capacity in microbiological techniques and outbreak response strategies in order to foster sustainable improvements in global public health.

The outbreak response laboratory scientist will be expected to deploy as part of the response function of the UK-PHRST. They will be part of a wider team on deployment and may be asked to act as team leader if needed.

Job description

• To support the microbiology team with the verification and optimisation of molecular assays required to maintain outbreak response capability of the UK-PHRST Rapid Response Mobile Laboratory.
• Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities both during peace time and when deployed to respond to outbreaks
• To take a leading role in quality, health and safety and training within the laboratory including the writing and review of documentation to ensure the rapid response mobile laboratory meets WHO standards for RRMLs.
• Undertake general laboratory duties including waste handling, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Prioritise, co-ordinate and organise own workload in line with the priorities of the UK-PHRST Microbiology Team.
• Engage with and support UK-PHRST Microbiology research and capacity-building initiatives during deployment.
• To ensure commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, colleagues, and visitors and to always comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies.
• To always work to the highest scientific standards.
• Undergo any training requirements as required for the post.
• To comply with all other UKHSA policies and procedures

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological/biological science or equivalent level of experience at working at a similar level
• Experience of molecular microbiology, (including real time PCR) and serology (including ELISA and IFA)
• Experience in validation and verification of molecular assays for a diagnostic laboratory
• Experience of working in a regulated environment including the use and adherence to quality management systems (e.g. ISO 15189)
• Clear communicator with excellent report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
• The ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Independent thinker with demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Skilled at working independently and efficiently managing tasks, even when facing tight or changing deadlines
• An effective team player able to liaise with and adapt to working with colleagues at all levels and is adaptable, flexible and can cope with uncertainty and change
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, but also in relation to management systems and working with multi-ethnic and multi-cultural teams.

 Desirable criteria

• HCPC registration
• Trained and experienced at working in ACDP Containment Level 3
• Experience of working in low and middle income countries or prior experience of working on previous incident responses
• Ability to communicate at a working level in other languages such as French, Portuguese, or Arabic

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,724, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,455 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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.  

Stage 1: Application & Sift

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

• a CV 
• a 1500 word Statement of Suitability

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

The CV and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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

 In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist based on experience with molecular microbiology and validation/verification of assays.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment

Please do not exceed 1500 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based) 

You will be invited to a remote interview. 

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. 

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th August 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

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 role will be based at Porton Down Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG office – Including travel to other UKHSA sites. Post will involve overseas travel as required by the UK-PHRST.

Eligibility Criteria 

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement   

 Successful candidates for this role must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.   

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance.

 For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security check.   UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.  

Reasonable Adjustments 

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. 

To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you. 

An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.  

This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.  

If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:  

Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.  

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

I understand my application may be rejected or I may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.