About the job

Job summary

Scientist

Grade HEO (National) - £30,473 to £37,215

UKHSA Porton Down

2 Year FTC Contract

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Antimicrobial Discovery, Development and Diagnostics (AD3)Team! Their mission is to create novel interventions to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). The team employs a diverse range of approaches, collaborating across disciplines in life sciences, chemistry, physical sciences and engineering. Their active research areas are: Development and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Agents, Biofilm Impact Study, Rapid Detection and Diagnostics.

As a Scientist, you will be leading the microbiology laboratory work associated with this project. The project builds upon previous research (DOI:
.. This will involve generating and characterizing a resistome strain collection against select antibiotics in a Gram-negative pathogen. You will have experience in working safely with ACDP2 pathogens, performing standard microbiological assays such as MICs and whole genome sequencing. Your expertise will contribute significantly to advancing our understanding of antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections

UKHSA Porton Down – 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

Job description

Responsibilities section:

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

• Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met. Methods include aseptic handling of ACDP2 level pathogens, MICs, time-kills, mechanism of action studies, whole genome sequencing, in vitro and ex vivo biofilm models, high throughput screening using robotics, troubleshooting and design of assays.
• Support the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area
• Ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods
• Take responsibility for the training of visiting students allocated to the project as required
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for 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 applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems
• To maintain health and safety competence
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
• 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 1000 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

• Relevant degree in a biological science or equivalent qualification and experience in a microbiology laboratory
• PhD in relevant area; either awarded or in process of submission
• Experience of working in a ACDP containment level 2 laboratory environment, including working with WHO pathogens
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
• Experience in antimicrobial evaluation, including high throughput techniques

Desirable

• Experience or understanding of working within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO9001, GCP)
• Demonstrable experience covering all aspects of post requirements
• Experience of developing new technologies
• Experience in the use of programming languages such as R

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 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:

• Making Effective decisions
• Managing a quality service
• Delivery at pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 24th 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: 27th March 2024

Interviews: w/c 8th April 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.

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/

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.