About the job

Job summary

Are you interested in genomics and infectious diseases? Consider applying for a Senior Research Scientist position based at UKHSA, Porton Down, where you will focus on characterising rare and emerging human pathogens.

In the Pathogen Characterisation group, you'll develop and apply molecular techniques to study the genomes of pathogens. You'll work with advanced sequencing technologies, including Illumina and Nanopore, to produce high-quality genomic data. You will collaborate with clinical and research colleagues to enhance diagnostics, surveillance, and outbreak response efforts.

Candidates should have a background in molecular biology, with experience in viral or bacterial genomics. We are looking for flexible, communicative individuals who are adept at delivering scientific results.
If you're seeking a challenging and fulfilling role in pathogen genomics, we encourage you to apply and join this exciting group.

Job description

Research & Evaluation department, based at UKHSA Porton, is the UK’s largest capability for the handling of dangerous human pathogens and animal modelling of infectious diseases. The capability is used to understand pathogenesis and undertake pre-clinical development and assessment of new vaccines and therapeutics.

The capability is also used to undertake studies in microbiological aerobiology, decontamination, and detection, and to develop diagnostic assays for clinical use. Studies are focussed on high priority activities including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Q Fever, Anthrax, Melioidosis, Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease, Tuberculosis, Monkeypox, Influenza, Pertussis, Meningococcal disease, Group B Streptococcal disease, Legionnaires Disease, Healthcare Acquired Infections, Anti-Microbial Resistance, etc. This post is in Pathogen.

We currently have an exciting, fixed term opportunity within the Pathogen Characterisation group where we are seeking to appoint a Senior Research Scientist to support our programmes in the Genomics of Rare and Emerging Human Pathogens at Porton Down. The post will work alongside clinical and research colleagues to develop molecular methods and establish further capability to characterise pathogens of interest. Experience of molecular biological methods is essential, previous experience in viral/bacterial NGS using Illumina and Nanopore technology is desirable.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA. It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

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

•    Implement and utilise a range of NGS sample processing 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 provision of reagents and consumables required for project area
•    Provide line management to junior scientists
•    To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
•    To ensure all work is in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems
•    To maintain health and safety competence 
•    To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
•    To comply with all UKHSA policies and 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 see job description attached for full list of duties and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential criteria

•    Experience of two or more of the following:
-    Molecular biology 
-    Virology
-    Bacteriology
-    Genomics
-    Sequencing 
•    BSc/MSc in appropriate discipline
•    Evidence of leading projects / teams
•    Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium, and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
•    Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
•    Able to work as part of team and liaise with all levels of staff

Desirable criteria

•    PhD in an appropriate discipline or equivalent years’ experience
•    Experience of working at containment level 3
•    Experience of preparing research manuscripts for publication
•    Knowledge or experience relating to vectors and vector-borne disease

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  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
• Communicating and Influencing
• 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.