About the job

Job summary

The Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (RCE) division of UKHSA provides advice, research and services to protect the public from hazards resulting from exposure to chemicals and metals, radiation (both ionising and non-ionising) and other environmental toxicants including bioaerosols and particulates. The Centre also leads on the public health effects of climate change and extreme environmental events such as flooding. The headquarters for the Centre is based at the Harwell Campus, Chilton, Oxfordshire.

The Toxicology Department undertakes research in chemicals, metals, bioaerosols, particulates and nanomaterials that underpins advice and policy development. Research in environmental hazards includes: methods to analyse, model and calculate exposure assessment; mechanisms of action of environmental hazards on health (adverse health effects); and the role of susceptibility factors in conferring differential risk from environmental hazards. All research underpins a Public Health advice role on the risks to health from environmental hazards. Research is undertaken in collaboration with several UK universities and other UK and international research organisations.

The Analytical Toxicology programme undertakes research activities using mass spectrometry techniques to identify and quantify exposures to chemicals and other environmental pollutants (e.g. nanoparticles,  particulates, bioaerosols, microplastics, toxic elements). The programme also undertakes untargeted studies including metabolomic studies to support investigations of detrimental effects on human health and has a responsibility for analytical and bioinformatics support for chemical incidents and emergencies.

The post is a scientific research role. As the Senior Analytical Toxicologist, you will take a key role in developing and supporting the research undertaken in the group including bioinformatics and/or reverse dosimetry/PBPK modelling. You will be expected to work closely together with peers within the Department and external academic and other collaborators.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

Working Pattern – Full Time, Flexible Working

Job description

As the Senior Analytical Toxicologist, your main responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to and taking responsibility for design, development and delivery of data analyses including bioinformatics to support the wider toxicology department.
• Designing, and undertaking bioinformatics relevant to chemical toxicants and other biological/environmental hazards for example to support programmes in human biomonitoring and bioaerosol analyses.
• Designing, executing and undertaking bioinformatics analyses to support UKHSA response to chemical incidents.
• Contributing to the management of research projects/programmes including: planning, experimental design, procedures and data analysis
• Contributing to the long-term planning and development of the Analytical Toxicology research programme.
• Contributing to the training and support of staff undertaking their own bioinformatic analyses.
• Collaborating with internal and external scientists in the development of proposals for funding and the development of programmes for experimental work.
• Producing sound scientific papers for external peer reviewed publication and give presentations at levels including international conferences.
• Assisting in the supervision of individuals from collaborating organisations (eg., M.Sc, Ph.D students).
• Undertaking specific development tasks for the Programme Leader (eg., relevant Health and Safety responsibilities, writing standard operating 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 refer to the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.

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

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate science subject (e.g. Bioinformatics)
• Relevant practical M.Sc., in an appropriate science subject (e.g. Toxicology, Pharmacology, Forensics) or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a relevant area.
• Practical experience of bioinformatics analysis including some coding
• Experience of statistical analyses and use of related software such as R and Python.
• General research skills and experimental design skills (e.g. capable of working accurately and independently.
• Ability to (a) assess complex data by applying fundamental scientific principles, and (b) gather, interpret, and critically assess complex information/data relevant to assessing the effects of chemicals and other environmental contaminants.
• Presenting information effectively (communicating) at all levels, formally and informally, and orally and in writing.

 Desirable

• Relevant PhD or equivalent experience
• Experience of writing scientific papers for peer reviewed journals
• Experience of presenting research findings at national/international conferences
• Experience of reverse dosimetry or PBPK modelling.
• Experience or aptitude with the analysis of molecular data from mass spectrometry, next generation sequencing or other omics methods.
  
  

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

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%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and submit a statement of suitability of up to 1250 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

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.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This recruitment will involve a face-to-face interview at our Chilton facility.

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. Please note that as part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a short presentation.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 10th July 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.

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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.