About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a Scientist to join our Clinical Evaluation Team and contribute delivery of projects related to GxP testing of vaccine candidates in our Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre. The VDEC is a world-class facility that conducts laboratory research to support all stages of vaccine and therapeutic development, from discovery to licensure on a range of emerging health security threats. The Clinical Evaluation team in VDEC played a critical role in the COVID-19 response and is now expanding its scope and impact. As a member of our team, you will help and shape the UK’s vaccine strategy and contribute to the health and economic prosperity of the nation.

The post holder will provide immunoassay and molecular biology laboratory experience within the Clinical Evaluation Team to expand the pseudovirus production and assay capability to enable the testing of clinical samples.

Job description

The post holder will support the project team leader and work closely with other groups to produce a range of pseudovirus particles and develop, qualify and validate Pseudovirus Neutralisation assays (PNA) that will enable clinical testing to support vaccine licensure.

The post would suit a candidate with some knowledge and experience of molecular biology, immunoassay and/or assay development and working in a regulated environment.

The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the project have good written and verbal communication skills and demonstrate a proactive and organised approach and be able to work across teams. Experience of supervising and /or training junior members of staff is desirable.

The post holder will be responsible for: 

• Utilise a range of laboratory methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project 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/or supervision and ensure 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 SOP’s.
• Record and provide data, perform analysis 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 the UKHSA – Porton Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
• To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1)
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Please note for this recruitment we will be assessing the below 4 essential criteria’s. To view all criteria’s please see the attached job description.

•    Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level in a specialist area
•    Demonstrable knowledge and practical experience with techniques for project including standard microbiology, immunology or virology techniques 
•    Experience of delivering duties to meet team objectives within set timelines
•    Experience of lab safety practices and/or supervision and/or risk assessment

Desirable criteria

•    MSc in relevant area
•    Experience and knowledge of specialist technique(s) such as recombinant virology, general molecular biology techniques, neutralization assays, assay development
•    Demonstrable knowledge and experience of having worked in a regulated environment (i.e., GxP, ISO)
•    Experience of working at ACDP Containment Level 3
•    Experience of training others and supervising junior members of staff
•    Some experience in writing documentation (study plan, protocols) as well as data analysis and presentation

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• a  1000 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.  

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Please do not exceed 1000 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview at Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.

Behaviours, experience and skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Interview dates TBC.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location Information

Please note that Hybrid working is not an option at this site. The location is: Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.

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.

Disability Confident scheme

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.

Reserve List

Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.   

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Starting salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.    

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.    

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.   

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

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.