Healthcare Scientist

Location - lab-based at our scientific facility in Colindale

Contract - Fixed term: 2 years (from start date and with possibility of extension)

Salary - Civil Service SEO Grade - £46,310 - £52,113 per annum, pro-rata

Job overview

• Development and application of methods for culture of respiratory viruses (e.g. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza, seasonal Coronaviruses) in various cell lines - including new culture systems - their optimisation, preservation, quality control and monitoring of viability.
• Development and application of serological techniques for analysis of infection with RSV, influenza and other respiratory viruses. This may include development and application of virus neutralisation techniques.
• Development and application of methods for antigenic typing and detailed phenotypic characterisation of influenza and other respiratory viruses. This may include reverse genetics techniques to determine the function of target genes or sites and, the impact of mutations on viral traits, including viral replication, infectivity, and cell tropism.
• Development and application of molecular methods for the detection and analysis of respiratory virus infections. This may include the development and use of viral protein expression systems.
• The post holder must have a PhD in Virology / Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology (or close to completion of PhD). Successful completion of probation is on condition of the PhD being completed and awarded.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will take delegated responsibility from the Unit Head in accordance with UKHSA and Virus Reference Department (VRD) policies and procedures for the following:

• Technical/Scientific/Reference services/Research and Development
• Quality
• Information Technology
• Support Services and Equipment
• Financial Management
• General Employment Responsibilities
• Communication and key working relationships

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Respiratory Virus Unit (RVU) within the Virus Reference Department (VRD) provides:

• National surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses
• Antigenic and genetic characterisation of circulating influenza strains
• Data to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as evidence from the UK to guide the annual formulation of the influenza vaccine
• Surveillance of antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses derived from community and hospital sources, with monitoring achieved through genotypic and phenotypic analysis

The unit contributes virological data (antigenic and genetic) to assist determination of seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates. Its work also involves the development of diagnostic tests for current and emerging respiratory viruses, and vaccine evaluation studies. The unit is 1 of 4 WHO global RSV Reference Laboratories, and as such collaborates with WHO, providing technical support and advice to national laboratories. The unit is a WHO Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Coronavirus (CoV) Reference Laboratory, providing confirmatory and reference services for MERS CoV, and WHO Reference Laboratory for confirmatory testing for COVID-19.

Technical/Scientific/Reference services/Research and Development

• Development, application and expansion of serological, genotypic and phenotypic analysis in the RVU, with emphasis on the detection, surveillance and characterisation of influenza, RSV and other respiratory virus infections in humans.
• Development of reference laboratory capability for the characterisation of RSV, adenoviruses and rhinoviruses recovered from human infections, including virus culture and microneutralisation, as well as molecular epidemiology and bioinformatics databases.
• Development and application of molecular tests for the detection of avian influenza.
• To be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work.
• To be responsible for introducing and maintaining methodologies in accordance with UKHSA policy.

Quality

In collaboration with the Laboratory Quality Manager and Laboratory Quality Officer:

• Ensure compliance with ISO15189 and other accreditation and certification standards.
• Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.
• Be responsible for maintaining a high standard of work, appraising, and developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice.
• Assist in developing and implementing quality programmes.
• Provide assistance in project management for specific Research and Development (R&D) projects within the laboratory.
• Maintain quality systems and keep abreast of changing UK regulations and directives to meet
• appropriate accreditation, UKHSA safety regulations and guidelines.

Information Technology

• Liaise with the VRD Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) super user on the introduction of new assays to the laboratory.
• Contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required.

Staff Management

• Training of junior staff and visitors in culture, virological, serological and molecular techniques
• Supervision of junior staff on a day-to-day basis to ensure work is carried out proficiently and accurately.
• To develop and maintain a good working relationship with staff.

Support Services and Equipment

• Ensure the laboratory structure and services are maintained to a satisfactory standard.
• With the Unit Technical Manager, ensure the high containment labs are well maintained.

Financial Management

• Act as signatory for general lab consumables and reagents.
• Responsible for negotiating prices with suppliers for reagents, including media, consumables and equipment.
• Evaluate and purchase new equipment required for the reference service.

General Employment Responsibilities

• Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act in collaboration with the designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security Information Officer.
• Represent the UKHSA nationally and internationally as required.
• Actively participate and maintain a continuing professional development programme and be aware of relevant developments in microbiology and other biomedical sciences.
• Develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required.

Essential criteria:

• PhD in Virology / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology (or close to completion of PhD).
• Knowledge and experience in mammalian cell culture and virus culture.
• Previous experience in techniques such as Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and cell-based assays (including neutralisation and agglutination inhibition).
• Previous experience of cloning and site directed mutagenesis.
• Demonstrated interest in serology/virology/vaccine development.
• Experience of laboratory safety requirements and procedures and quality system management.

Desirable criteria:

• Health and Care Professions Council Registration (or on target to be achieved within six months of appointment).
• Experience of mammalian cell or baculovirus expression of proteins, their purification and analysis (e.g Western Blotting etc).
• Experience in molecular techniques, including sequencing.
• Experience of work at BSL3.
• Previous experience in enzymatic methods (i.e. measurement of enzyme activity and kinetics.

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