About the job

Job summary

UKHSA-Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release and undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases.

The Vaccine Development & Evaluation Centre at Porton has approximately 250 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases e.g., tuberculosis (TB), meningitis, anthrax and SARS-CoV2.

The Advanced Immunology Programme uses the non-human primate (NHP) model to assess the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of a range of novel vaccines and therapeutics to protect against and treat Tuberculosis, a disease which was responsible for ~1.6 million deaths in 2021.

As Project Team Leader you will lead a team of scientists responsible for delivering scientific and technical activities associated with the evaluation of TB vaccines and therapeutics using Non-Human Primate models of TB. You will also provide expertise and leadership in the development and application of immunological techniques and immunoassays, including advanced flow cytometry-based applications at ACDP Containment Levels 2 & 3.

Location:

This role will be based on-site at: UKHSA, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG.

Job description

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

• Implement, utilise and oversee a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Lead the project team or project area to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Establish links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department. This may include travel (UK and/or overseas) to attend meetings with collaborators and funding bodies and research conferences, subject to agreement between the post holder, line management and department management.
• Support members of the project team to meet their PDP objectives and take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
• Manage in vivo studies through good communication with interdisciplinary teams, collaborators and essential department services.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

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 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• BSc in relevant subject area.
• Practical experience of relevant immunology techniques and methods acquired through previous employment or postgraduate study. A track record of developing and applying advanced immunological methods for analysis of the cellular immune response.
• Knowledge and experience of the practices and principles of working at ACDP containment level 3. Management and supervision on ACDP3 laboratories and/or facilities.
• Significant experience in areas relevant to the project e.g., experience of working with in vivo models of M. tuberculosis, and knowledge of M. tb infection, immunology, vaccines, and therapeutics.
• Experience of complex data analysis, presentations, reports & publication.
• Excellent communication skills. Ability to lead and work in teams or independently. Adaptable during busy periods or as required by the dynamics and requirements of the team. Able to work flexibly to meet deadlines. Self-motivating, organised, and meticulous. Willing to undertake further training and able to train junior staff.

 Desirable

• MSc/PhD or significant experience in relevant area
• Evidence of leading projects /project teams and training junior members of staff.
• Project management experience or qualifications.

 Please review the Job Description for the full criteria.

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%

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 advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

Your Statement of Suitability (max 1250 words) 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).

**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.**

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.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This stage will involve an In-person interview.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours/Strengths/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills against the attached job description.

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

Strengths:

• Inclusive
• Improver
• Learner
• Problem Solver
• Relationship Builder
• Resilient
• Team Player.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd April 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.

Sifting: w/c 23rd April 2024.

Interviews: dates to be confirmed

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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.