About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a Quality Control Lead Scientist to join our European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) team. ECACC is part of the Culture Collections Department, which operates a Biological Resource Centre that procures, maintains, and supplies cultured human and animal cells and microorganisms for public health research and diagnostic testing.

As the Quality Control Lead Scientist, you will:

• Provide scientific and managerial leadership for the ECACC Quality Control Team.
• Manage and develop quality control testing activities for over 2000 ECACC cell line products and for external customers, ensuring testing and reporting conforms to ISO17025.
• Work with a diverse and experienced team of 80 staff within the UKHSA Culture Collections.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A PhD, MSc, equivalent qualification, or several years’ postgraduate experience in a relevant scientific field
• Experience in cell culture and quality control techniques
• To demonstrate evidence of leading projects and project teams. Good communication and teamwork skills

Location

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

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

Job description

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

1. Plan, implement and utilise a range of methods and techniques in support of all activities associated with the operation of ECACC QC to ensure production and quality control targets are met.
2. Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the team and documented storage of materials generated.
3. Lead the QC team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to high scientific and quality standards (e.g. ISO17025) using current methods.
4. Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or the ECACC department.
5. Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the QC operation.
6. Provide reports and certificates of analysis through the interpretation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
7. Assist in the organisation and participate in external training course provided by Culture Collections.
8. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
9. To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site (e.g. ISO 9001 and ISO 17025).
10. To maintain health and safety competence as a laboratory supervisor in line with UKHSA policies and guidance.

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.

Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1200 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

• PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years’ postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.
• Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for cell culture quality control
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
• Evidence of leading projects/project teams
• Previous experience in training project staff
• Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders

Desirable

• Several years’ experience in area relevant to the project e.g. Cell Culture
• Specialist training/experience in specific methods required for the post
• Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001 or ISO17025)
• Experience of managing a team without direct line management

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 competition will involve a face-to-face 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. 

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.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Your Statement of Suitability 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).

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

• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions
• Leading and communicating
• Achieving commercial outcomes
• Managing a quality service

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 4th February 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: 9th February 2024

Interviews: w/c 19th February 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)

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

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.