Porton
Job Summary
The successful candidate will work as part of the Porton Pathogen Genomics next generation sequencing team to ensure a clinical service is provided efficiently and to the highest standard.
This job will include routine laboratory work, laboratory housekeeping and maintenance, recording and reporting of results and ensuring the work is carried out to high scientific, safety and quality standards. The post holder will perform a range of scientific techniques primarily focused on high throughput next generation sequencing.
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.
Job Description
Main duties of the job & Detailed Job description and main responsibilities
- Undertake a range of sequencing and diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting the needs of UKHSA Pathogen Genomics service provision
- Perform targeted NGS methods such as the ARTIC protocol
- Support current testing strategies and the development of new assays
- Assist in the identification, evaluation, and adaptation of new technologies to enhance the laboratory’s capabilities and to ensure the laboratory works to a high scientific standard
- Conform to the working standards outlined by UKAS ISO 15189:2022 and ISO 9001:2015
- Operate a range of equipment, e.g., centrifuges, analysers, safety cabinets, fridges and freezers
- Act as a laboratory supervisor ensuring equipment is suitably maintained and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date
- Comply with waste disposal protocols
- Operate, maintain, clean, and disinfect laboratory equipment safely
- Monitor laboratory stocks and supplies daily to help optimise use of consumables and to reduce wastage
- Play a leading role in the training of junior and new staff
- Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with UKHSA’s safety policies
- Work within the laboratory’s Quality Management System
- Maintain a clean, safe, and tidy working environment
- Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Head
- Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
- Report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy
- Support UKHSA administrative staff
- Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
- Identify any potential conflicts of interest which may impinge on your ability to perform duties effectively as defined by UKHSA Conflict of Interest Policy
- Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade
Other
- 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 the directorate.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation. 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.
Professional development
You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
As part of a member of staff’s duty they are required to participate in a joint quarterly review of their work.
- Identify, discuss, and action your own professional performance and training needs with your line manager through quarterly performance reviews and individual training plans
- Attend internal and external training events
- Complete all mandatory training as required
- Undergo any training requirements as required for the post
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
- Head of Operations
- Laboratory Head
- UKHSA Porton colleagues
- Scientists
External
- Suppliers
- Sample collection staff
- Referring laboratory staff
- Stores Team
Main duties of the job & Detailed Job description and main responsibilities
- Undertake a range of sequencing and diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting the needs of UKHSA Pathogen Genomics service provision
- Perform targeted NGS methods such as the ARTIC protocol
- Support current testing strategies and the development of new assays
- Assist in the identification, evaluation, and adaptation of new technologies to enhance the laboratory’s capabilities and to ensure the laboratory works to a high scientific standard
- Conform to the working standards outlined by UKAS ISO 15189:2022 and ISO 9001:2015
- Operate a range of equipment, e.g., centrifuges, analysers, safety cabinets, fridges and freezers
- Act as a laboratory supervisor ensuring equipment is suitably maintained and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date
- Comply with waste disposal protocols
- Operate, maintain, clean, and disinfect laboratory equipment safely
- Monitor laboratory stocks and supplies daily to help optimise use of consumables and to reduce wastage
- Play a leading role in the training of junior and new staff
- Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with UKHSA’s safety policies
- Work within the laboratory’s Quality Management System
- Maintain a clean, safe, and tidy working environment
- Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Head
- Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
- Report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy
- Support UKHSA administrative staff
- Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
- Identify any potential conflicts of interest which may impinge on your ability to perform duties effectively as defined by UKHSA Conflict of Interest Policy
- Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade
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
- Head of Operations
- Laboratory Head
- UKHSA Porton colleagues
- Scientists
External
- Suppliers
- Sample collection staff
- Referring laboratory staff
- Stores Team
Person specification
Role Criteria And Other Requirements
Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):
- Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant microbiology/ biological science discipline.
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
- Skills in communication of complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
- Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable Role Criteria:
- Experience in molecular biology.
- Knowledge of automated liquid handling
- Basic knowledge of project principles
- Previous experience as a Healthcare Scientist or equivalent experience in Molecular/ Microbiology.
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, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.
You Will Be Required To Complete An:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- Up to 750 number of words Supporting Statement
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more 750 words.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
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.
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
The following will be taken through the next stage: Meets all essential criteria
Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Degree in a relevant biological science
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
The Following Desirable Criteria May Also Be Used:
- Experience in molecular biology.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. 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 (success profiles)
You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.
Behaviours Tested:
- Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour)
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Working at Pace
Technical Skills Tested:
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
Eligibility Criteria - External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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 (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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.
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
- Counter-terrorist Check
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).
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in 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 : Rai Broadway
- Email : recruitment@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
http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7632933
