About the job

Job summary

The Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) are looking for a Unit Head/Lead Scientist to join the team.

You will be responsible for scientific leadership and having comprehensive oversight and responsibility of all  scientific and managerial matters across a designated Unit in UKHSA’s public health microbiology laboratories within its Clinical & Public Health Group, with close links to the Specialised Microbiology & Laboratories Directorate. This role will focus on ensuring that there is good governance generally overall and specifically in respect of Health & Safety, Quality Standards, Regulatory Compliance, HR Management and Risk Management within the Specialised Microbiology & Laboratories lead component of the role and on ensuring Clinical Governance; Information Governance and Quality Standards in the Clinical & Public Health Group lead component of the role.

The post holder may work with colleagues who are based across the country at different sites and/or who work remotely.

Location

This role is based in the UKHSA Colindale office, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ

*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, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working.

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As the Unit Head/Lead Scientist your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage the scientific and operational  service  delivery  for  the  designated  Unit  to  ensure seamless working between teams and corporate business functions.
• Be responsible for shaping a culture of change and innovation and promoting a positive change culture across UKHSA’s public health microbiology laboratories.
• Deliver the budgeting, resourcing, planning and business management, working with Heads of Laboratory Business Operations, Heads  of  Technical  Services,  Specialised Microbiology and Laboratory divisions  and  corporate  leads  in  UKHSA  to ensure the division meets its corporate requirements and liaises effectively with others.
• Day to day scientific and managerial leadership for all staff assigned to the designated Unit
• Provide expert scientific leadership and be responsible for strategic development and operational service delivery in the designated laboratory Unit.
• To set scientific strategy and direction for the designated Unit, working with the Deputy Directors, to ensure that the laboratory delivers and develops services and provides expert advice for wider public health delivery, and also provides national and international specialist services and advice to internal and external customers.
• To manage the provision of an efficient, effective and timely service, ensuring maximum productivity within allocated resources and budgets and within agreed performance standards.
• To ensure that services are delivered under a Quality Management System in accordance with UKHSA policies, and the Quality standards set by relevant external accreditation bodies (e.g. UKAS)
• Lead income generation planning and identify funding opportunities and lead and support income activity across the business in partnership with business development and other corporate teams as appropriate.
• The post holder will develop effective working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This may include: UKHSA Directorates and other teams, ministers, suppliers, Cabinet Office, Dept. of Health and Social Care officials, NHS England, NHS Improvement, NHS Digital, local authorities, voluntary bodies, stakeholders and members of the public.  Communication will be face to face, including delivering presentations and facilitating workshops, by virtual means, phone, email, correspondence or via reports and briefings

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 review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 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, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):

Essential

• PhD in a biological science & HCPC Registration or registration to be obtained with 18 months of taking up the role
• National/International recognition for organism specific or subject matter expertise
• Expertise in the specialist area covered by the post
• Experience in laboratory technology; broad experience of culture, resistance monitoring, molecular and serological assays, and test evaluations as appropriate
• Experience of working within a quality system
• Understanding and experience of laboratory safety regulations and procedures
• Detailed knowledge of specialist and reference microbiology functions and their contribution to public health
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to convey instructions, ideas and opinions clearly and concisely.
• Manage many high profile projects simultaneously
• Presenting to a national and international audience

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. 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 post will involve an interview by video. 

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.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5/10-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 22nd January 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: w/c 22nd January 2024

Interviews: TBC

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.