About the job

Job summary

Research Scientist

£30,473 - £37,215, HEO (national)

Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG

Permanent

 

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation Division! The Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation (DPC) Division focuses on key initial steps in the control of infections, namely pathogen identification, characterisation, and development of diagnostics. This post is in the Virology and Pathogenesis research group and is actively involved with working with emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens that continue to pose a threat to the UK and International public health.

The Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation department is based at Porton and has approximately 130 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving pathogen characterisation; virology and pathogenesis; diagnostics, innovation and evaluation, and biosafety and environmental microbiology.

The department is part of the UKHSA ambition to be world-leading in capabilities and contribution to vaccines/therapeutics and diagnostics.

Short Summary

We currently have an exciting opportunity within the Virology and Pathogenesis Group where we are seeking to appoint a scientist with previous molecular/virology experience. The successful candidates be joining a dynamic team of scientists dedicated to improving public health through the development of innovative virology programmes.

Location

This is a Lab based role at our Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG lab.

*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

Key Responsibilities:

• Form part of project team to deliver on core Grant-in-Aid objectives.
• Perform duties required by line management commensurate with grade.
• Develop, implement, and utilise a range of molecular techniques in support of pathogen detection and characterisation activities, to ensure that project targets are met.
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project area.
• Produce data for review by Senior Scientists for input into reports.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, for preparation of presentations and publications.
• Present data at internal group meetings and national/international conferences.
• Lead in laboratory supervision, ensuring appropriate equipment is available and calibrated.
• Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• Undertake work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems.
• Maintain health and safety competence.
• Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
• Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

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 department and UKHSA.

It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Please see full duties and responsibilities

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Degree in an appropriate discipline e.g., virology / molecular biology.
• Experience of utilising a variety of molecular methods (e.g., RT-qPCR, LAMP, and high-throughput sequencing).
• Good record keeping, attention to detail.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment and knowledge of UKAS and/or ISO quality standards.
• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project participation.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Able to work as part of team and liaise with all levels of staff.
• Effective organiser.
• Demonstrate a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable

• MSc or equivalent level of experience in an appropriate virology / molecular biology field.
• Knowledge and/or experience of developing and validating molecular assays.
• Previous experience in similar role in public sector.

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

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. 

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.

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 13th 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: TBC

Interviews: TBC

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.

Check just a basic check is required

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.