About the job

Job summary

Senior Scientist - Recombinant Virologist

Grade SEO National - £38,724 to £44,393

UKHSA Porton Down

Permanent Contract

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join the Virology and Pathogenesis group, which is part of the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate. Our research focuses on arboviruses, viral haemorrhagic fevers, and other emerging zoonotic viruses that pose a significant risk to public health. Our group corresponds with the institute’s status as a WHO Collaborating Centre for virus research and reference (special pathogens). Our work ranges from developing diagnostics and surveillance to assessing interventions and vaccines. As a result, you will have great exposure to multiple international links and networks.

Join our dynamic team of scientists dedicated to improving public health through the development of innovative virology programmes as a Senior Scientist, specialising in Recombinant Virology. You will have a strong background and extensive experience in virology, molecular biology, cell culture, plasmid DNA transfection, viral vector construction, and reverse genetics. Your focus will be on developing molecular clones of RNA viruses such as those in the families Bunyaviridae, Togaviridae, Flaviviridae, and potentially others. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of experts and contribute to the development of cutting-edge virology programmes.

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, 37.5 Hours per Week

Job description

Responsibilities section:

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

• Work collaboratively with a team of scientists to develop and optimize molecular cloning strategies on RNA viruses connected with our applied research programmes in public health 
• Design and execute experiments to construct and characterize full-length infectious clones of RNA viruses
• Perform genetic manipulation of RNA viruses, including site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant virus generation
• Design and develop viral vectors for a range of applications
• 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 provision of reagents and consumables required for project area
• Lead the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies and scientific techniques where appropriate and ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard
• Develop assays to evaluate the replication, pathogenesis, and immune responses induced by viruses
• Provide line and project management as required and indicated by SPTL, Head of VPPC & SL
• Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required

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 full duties and responsibilities attached

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

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 essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• PhD and relevant postdoctoral experience in molecular virology or related field
• Extensive experience in molecular cloning of RNA viruses
• Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of UKAS or ISO quality standards
• Strong skills in genetic manipulation of RNA viruses, including site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant virus generation
• Demonstrated expertise in virological assays, including plaque assays, viral replication assays, and immune assays
• Record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals

Desirable

• Trained and experienced at working in CL-3
• Previous experience in similar role in public sector

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,724, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,455 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
• Leadership
• 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 4th February 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: 16th February 2024

Interviews: w/c 26th February 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. 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.