About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a Senior 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 (VDEC). 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. 

This post will provide molecular and recombinant virology expertise to the group, as directed by the senior project team leader. In particular, the post holder will develop Pseudovirus neutralization capability for priority pathogens.

Job description

This post is required is to strengthen the molecular virology expertise within the Clinical Evaluation Team, expanding the pseudovirus production and assay capability to enable the testing of clinical samples.

The post holder will supervise a small team who will work closely with the Virology & Pathogenesis and High Containment Microbiology groups to produce a range of pseudovirus particles and develop, qualify and validate Pseudovirus Neutralisation assays (PNA) to enable clinical testing to support vaccine licensure. 

This post would suit a candidate with experience in the relevant laboratory techniques and a proven capability in problem solving, data analysis, report writing and project delivery. Experience developing assays clinical assays and/or working in a regulated environment would be highly desirable,
The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the project, have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to collaborate effectively with scientists and laboratory users’ other teams.

Person specification

The post holder will support the senior project team leader to lead a small project team responsible for the delivery of scientific and technical pseudovirus assay activities within the Clinical Evaluation Team. 

-    Collaborate with the Virus & Pathogenesis and High Containment Microbiology groups and external partners to establish pseudovirus production for high consequence pathogens (i.e., Lassa, Ebola) for use in PNA assays within CET

-    Expand the production and testing of the SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses to ensure a rapid response to new variants and ensure pseudovirus production and assay performance meets quality requirements for clinical testing

-    Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met

-    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 supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required.

-    Identify and implement any new technologies that will improve performance and capability for pseudovirus production and assay delivery

-    Contribute to the development and implementation of related neutralisation assays into the clinical testing facility where required

-    Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with all UKHSA health and safety policies and procedures

-    Ensure that the project team works within Good Clinical Practice guidelines and any other Quality Systems required

-    Complete all mandatory training as required e.g., equality and diversity, information governance etc.

-    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 fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade

-    To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

-    Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade

Key Working Relationships 

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal
Scientists/Project staff, Test Facility Management, Quality and Safety staff

External
Scientists, Collaborators and suppliers

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours/ Experience/Technical skills.

Essential Criteria

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

•    PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years’ relevant experience
•    Experience of recombinant virology techniques, including virus like particle and/or pseudovirus systems
•    Significant knowledge and practical and experience of other specialist areas that are relevant to the project (i.e., Knowledge and experience of general molecular biology techniques including RT-PCR, cloning and site-directed mutagenesis, neutralization assays)
•    Recent experience in compiling scientific data, publishing results and reports 
•    Experience in evaluating, implementing and/or developing new technologies, methods or assays
•    Evidence of leading projects/project teams and/or line management to meet project/service objectives and delivering work within set timelines
•    Previous experience in training project staff and identifying own and direct reports training needs

Desirable Criteria

•    Good understanding of safe laboratory working practices and use of risk assessments and experience of implementing and monitoring these in a laboratory supervision/management role
•   Experience of having worked within a GxP regulated environment (i.e., GxP)
•    Experience of working at ACDP Containment Level 3

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours /  Experience and Technical skills.

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  1250 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 1250 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:

• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• 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.