About the job

Job summary

Research Scientist – Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation

HEO National - £30,473 - £37,215

Based at Porton Down – site-based

Permanent Contract

The Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation department at UKHSA Porton Down is looking for four Research Scientists to join the Diagnostic, Evaluation, and Innovation (DEI) Team. The DEI team works with various partners to design, test, and deploy diagnostic assays for UKHSA/NHS and the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL).

The role of the Research Scientists is to provide scientific and technical expertise in serology, molecular biology, and antigenicity to support the delivery of projects within the budget, timeline, and quality standards. The Research Scientists will also assess the performance of commercial assays and develop new or improved diagnostic assays for UKHSA or NHS diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, they will provide training and surge capacity in case of an outbreak. The ideal candidates will be adaptable to the project needs, have strong communication skills and use their technical knowledge to ensure the effective execution of projects.

Location

Based at UKHSA Porton Down – due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to be based on-site

*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, Flexible Working

Job description

Responsibilities section:

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

1. Develop/Evaluate/Implement and utilise a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
2. Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
3. Independent working under the direction of the Project Team Leader to identify, evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
4. Participate in the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
5. Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
6. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
7. 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.
8. To maintain health and safety competence.
9. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
10. 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.

Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

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 essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• Degree in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
• Substantive experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Experience of working with clinical samples and diagnostic testing
• Substantive experience in training junior staff and working within and across teams
• Demonstrates experience of having work experience within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; GLP, UKAS).

Desirable

• HCPC registration
• Relevant higher degree i.e., Msc/PhD in Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 and CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
• Track record of publications and submitting proposals to promote and develop research areas and experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,473, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,227 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

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 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. 

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 and technical skills will be used at the interview:

1. Changing and Improving
2. Communicating and influencing
3. Working together

Technical Skills will also be assessed on:

1. Knowledge of microbiology diagnostic tests
2. Experience of working with clinical samples
3. Knowledge of safe working practices

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 4th 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: 8th March 2024

Interviews: w/c 18th 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

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.