Salisbury
Job Summary
The Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group carries out applied research with a focus on the indoor built environment – investigating how it contributes to the spread of infection and how it can be designed and operated to reduce this risk. The group employs a range of techniques to study microorganisms on surfaces, in water and in the air with studies being carried out in the laboratory, the field and within a purpose-built facility that simulates a full-scale hospital ward.
We are seeking a proactive and motivated scientist to support and lead research projects aimed at preventing and controlling opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens, with a particular emphasis on non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The role will involve investigating factors that influence the survival, persistence and dispersal of NTM and developing and validating methodologies suitable for both laboratory and field settings.
The post holder will also contribute to incident and outbreak response activities, conducting targeted investigations as appropriate. Findings will be used to inform inform evidence-based recommendations and guidance to improve patient safety.
This role offers the opportunity to join a dynamic, ‘can-do’ team committed to delivering impactful microbiology research that supports infection prevention in healthcare and other built environments.
Working for your organisation
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
As part of the main duties, you will be expected to:
- Lead a programme of work focused on water and water systems, conducting both laboratory and field-based studies to investigate the survival, persistence and dispersal of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) using a range of microbiological and aerobiological methods.
- Identify, evaluate and report on new technologies and procedures where appropriate, ensuring the project maintains high scientific standards.
- Contribute to project reporting through data input, analysis and interpretation using relevant software and databases and disseminate findings through presentations and peer-reviewed publication.
- Engage with external stakeholders, including NHS Trusts, to support collaborative research and knowledge exchange.
- Manage the provision of reagents and consumables for the project area, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget
- Carry out all assigned work in accordance with UKHSA's Risk Management Systems, policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and applicable Quality Systems
- Uphold UKHSA’s values and behaviours in all aspects of work.
- Perform any other duties as required by the line manager, commensurate with grade.
- Carry out research to improve our understanding of infection transmission within indoor environments
- Apply a range of microbiological, molecular and aerobiology methods to investigate the survival, persistence and dispersal of waterborne microorganisms, with a particular focus on non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM).
- Assess the effectiveness of infection prevention strategies, including innovative chemical and engineering interventions.
- Analyse data using appropriate software and databases to meet project objectives and produce high-quality reports.
- Communicate research findings through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
- Identify, evaluate and implement new procedures to ensure scientific rigour and continuous improvement.
- Manage the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area.
This is not an exhaustive list.
As part of the main duties, you will be expected to:
- Lead a programme of work focused on water and water systems, conducting both laboratory and field-based studies to investigate the survival, persistence and dispersal of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) using a range of microbiological and aerobiological methods.
- Identify, evaluate and report on new technologies and procedures where appropriate, ensuring the project maintains high scientific standards.
- Contribute to project reporting through data input, analysis and interpretation using relevant software and databases and disseminate findings through presentations and peer-reviewed publication.
- Engage with external stakeholders, including NHS Trusts, to support collaborative research and knowledge exchange.
- Manage the provision of reagents and consumables for the project area, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget
- Carry out all assigned work in accordance with UKHSA's Risk Management Systems, policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and applicable Quality Systems
- Uphold UKHSA’s values and behaviours in all aspects of work.
- Perform any other duties as required by the line manager, commensurate with grade.
- Carry out research to improve our understanding of infection transmission within indoor environments
- Apply a range of microbiological, molecular and aerobiology methods to investigate the survival, persistence and dispersal of waterborne microorganisms, with a particular focus on non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM).
- Assess the effectiveness of infection prevention strategies, including innovative chemical and engineering interventions.
- Analyse data using appropriate software and databases to meet project objectives and produce high-quality reports.
- Communicate research findings through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
- Identify, evaluate and implement new procedures to ensure scientific rigour and continuous improvement.
- Manage the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Person specification
Essential Role Criteria
- Relevant academic background and experience: An undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree in microbiology or related discipline and demonstrable experience in laboratory and/or field-based microbiology research
- Technical expertise: Practical knowledge and hands-on experience in core microbiological techniques, including bacterial culture, environmental sampling, molecular methods, and safe use of containment equipment
- Professional skills and behaviours: Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a commitment to safe working practices and continual professional development
Desirable role criteria
- Relevant post-graduate qualification (MSc; PhD)
- Demonstrable experience in the isolation, culture, and identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria
- Practical knowledge of aerobiology and aerobiology techniques
Alongside your salary of £28,547, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,270 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Required
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 750 word supporting statement
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Technical expertise: Practical knowledge and hands-on experience in core microbiological techniques, including bacterial culture, environmental sampling, molecular methods, and safe use of containment equipment
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 750 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. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, strengths and experience will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Interviews will be held week commencing 19th January 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is based onsite in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.
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 Counter Terrorism Check clearance. Failure to maintain the required level of clearance throughout the duration of your employment with UKHSA may result in the termination of employment.
For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check clearance.
UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.
The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Link Below
Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name : Jon Payne
- Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
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: Complaints@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
