About the job

Job summary

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is offering an exciting 12-month placement opportunity for a student. As a Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientist, you will play a crucial role in providing scientific services to patients and clients. Your responsibilities will include evaluating immunological responses to vaccines and microbiological diseases. Accuracy and meticulous attention to detail are essential qualities for this role.

This opportunity is exclusively available to candidates who are currently enrolled in a relevant degree program and seeking a sandwich placement year. The successful candidate will be expected to start on the 1st of September 2024.

Location

The role will be based at our UKHSA Manchester site (Vaccine Evaluation Unit, 2nd Floor, Clinical Sciences Building II, Manchester Royal Infirmary, M13 9WL)

*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, Flexible Working

Job description

• To provide a specialist diagnostic service for measuring the immune response to disease or vaccination.
• To use specialist immunoassays for the analysis of biological samples to quantify different antibody isotypes and/or avidity to various microbial antigens.
• To work in the containment level 2 laboratories according to local code of practice.
• To use advanced specialist computer software for the capture and processing of laboratory data.
• To carry out research in vaccines against different pathogens.
• To exercise judgement and interpretation to validate results and generate laboratory reports in accordance with unit policies and procedures. The validation process includes analytical and scientific validity.
• To prepare reagents for use in specialist in-house immunoassays.
• To assist with, and where appropriate be responsible for, the development of new methods and implementation of new technology.
• To monitor and maintain appropriate stock levels and facilitate deliveries.
• To identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities and assist the department in maintaining CPA (Clinical Pathology Accreditation), UKAS ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Medicines for Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
• To attend regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the unit.
• To ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of laboratory consumables.
• To prepare samples and process bodily fluids and materials, including high-risk specimens and reagent preparation following protocols.
• To analyse biological samples including more complex/ specialist investigations requiring a high level of skill.
• To process clinical trial samples received according to unit 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.

Person specification

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

• Currenlty studying a relevant degree
• Appropriate qualifications for University entry
• Basic scientific mathematics
• Keyboard skills
• Good communication skills
• Evidence of working effectively as part of a team
• Good hand to eye co-ordination
• Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust
• Good time keeping
• Flexible approach to work
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relati

Desirable

• Knowledge of immunoassays
• Experience with Microsoft Office

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £22,370, UK Health Security Agency contributes £6,039 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 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 be sent an online test to complete.

If you meet the required benchmark for the test you will be invited to interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview held at our UKHSA Manchester site (M13 9WL).

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.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on the 28th of April 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: From the 29th of April 2024

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.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.