About the job

Job summary

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Short Summary

The Pre-clinical Evaluation Team is a translational research group within the wider Vaccine Evaluation, Development and Preparedness division at UKHSA Porton Down, investigating high consequence human pathogens.

Research undertaken includes the pre-clinical evaluation of countermeasures and in vivo model development to support this work, development of assays to advance the testing of vaccines, and investigation of organ-on-chip technology as an adjunct to our existing capabilities.

Job description

To provide virology and/or immunology expertise in a team responsible for the development of in vivo models for SARS-CoV, MERS and other pre-emergent coronaviruses. This post would suit a candidate with experience in the relevant laboratory techniques, and a proven capability in critical thinking, problem solving and trouble shooting. The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the project, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to collaborate with lab users from other teams.

The postholder will have relevant degree (or equivalent and/or experience) in a biological science, immunology and/or virology in the laboratory environment with the ability to undertake a broad range of standard laboratory techniques and tasks. The post holder will have good communication skills, good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills.

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.*

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Utilize and contribute to the development of a range of laboratory methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met.
• Take responsibility for the provision of laboratory reagents and consumables required for the project and document storage of materials.
• Take responsibility laboratory housekeeping and supervision of laboratory maintenance.
• Ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Ensure accurate documentation and tracking of samples and data and laboratory records and correctly follow protocols.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications
• Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required
• Performing any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• Ensuring that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and working within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• Maintaining health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1).
• Fulfilling the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
• Complying with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
• Participating in all mandatory training as required e.g., fire safety, information governance etc
• Identifying, discussing, and actioning own professional performance and training / development needs with line manager
• Undertaking risk assessor role, with associated training and ongoing competency.

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 division and UKHSA.

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

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

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level in a specialist area.
• Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for Project including standard microbiology, molecular biology and/or virology techniques, immunoassays, cell-based assays, cell culture and working at containment level 2/containment level 3.
• Practical experience of developing analytical methods such as cell-based bioassays or immunological methods
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
• Specialist training/experience in some of specific methods required for the post and their applications e.g., neutralization assays, ELISA, immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, ELISpot, RT-qPCR, primary ex vivo and differentiated cell culture systems.
• Clear communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
• Skills for communication on complex matters: negotiating with others and a respectful approach to differences in opinion.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and react dynamically to unanticipated or unplanned events.
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent team working skills with the ability uunderstand the importance of team work to achieve overall team goals.
• Ability to work using own initiative and organise own workload without supervision, working to tight and often changing deadlines.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g., GCP, ISO9001) and undergoing audits.
• Experience of lab supervision and/or risk assessment.

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

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 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. 

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
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 25th of January 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.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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.