Porton, Salisbury
Job Summary
The Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation (DPC) Division is based at Porton and has approximately 150 staff, focusing on key initial steps in the control of infections, namely pathogen identification, characterisation, and development of diagnostics. The Virology and Pathogenesis and Pathogen Characterisation (VPPC) group sits in the DPC Division within Chief Scientific Officer Group. VPPC’s work focuses on arboviruses, viral haemorrhagic fevers and other emerging zoonotic viruses which cause infections in humans and pose a significant risk to public health. The group’s activity corresponds with the institute’s status as a WHO Collaborating Centre for virus research and reference (special pathogens) and ranges from the development of diagnostics and surveillance through to the assessment of interventions and vaccines. As such multiple international links and networks are part of its remit.
An exciting opportunity is currently available within the Virology and Pathogenesis group where we are seeking to appoint a senior scientist within our Pathogen Inactivation capability. This post will lead the development of our X-ray irradiation inactivation capability, optimising methodologies for inactivation of different high consequence pathogens, as well as contributing to the high containment virology requirements of the group.
Job Description
In this role you will
- lead the X-ray inactivation capability, involving optimising X-ray irradiation methodologies, inactivating pathogens and performing downstream inactivation assurance testing in line with group and organisational needs.
- lead externally funded research projects associated with the X-ray irradiation of high consequence pathogens.
- line manage junior staff members.
- implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area.
- work to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- provide maintenance of thorough laboratory records including X-ray irradiation records and laboratory notebooks.
*Please be aware that this list is not exhaustive*
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 your line manager.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and UKHSA.
It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
In this role you will
- lead the X-ray inactivation capability, involving optimising X-ray irradiation methodologies, inactivating pathogens and performing downstream inactivation assurance testing in line with group and organisational needs.
- lead externally funded research projects associated with the X-ray irradiation of high consequence pathogens.
- line manage junior staff members.
- implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area.
- work to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- provide maintenance of thorough laboratory records including X-ray irradiation records and laboratory notebooks.
*Please be aware that this list is not exhaustive*
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 your line manager.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and UKHSA.
It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Person specification
We are a dynamic team whose work involves both responding to outbreaks threatening public health systems but also innovative research projects, involving utilisation of both X-ray irradiation and virology techniques.
You will
- provide provision of competent data analysis using appropriate software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of reports, presentations, posters and peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication.
- provide laboratory supervision, ensuring appropriate equipment and other resources are made available and maintained, staff are suitably inducted and following safe laboratory practices and legislation related to the work is complied with.
- will perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- undertake work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems.
- maintain health and safety competence.
- fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
- comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
Essential Criteria
- BSc in an appropriate virology/molecular biology sciences field which could include BSc in Virology and Immunology, BSc in Molecular Biology, or broader BSc Biomedical Sciences programs with options to focus on virology, microbiology, or genetics.
- Extensive laboratory experience and knowledge of cell and virus culture techniques, including maintaining and seeding cells for experiment and virus titration assays.
- Laboratory experience and knowledge of performing a variety of techniques such as RNA extractions, qRT-PCR and ELISAs.
- Good record keeping and attention to detail.
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project leadership.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of designing and implementing X-ray irradiation experiments.
- Experience as a radiation protection supervisor.
Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's 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.
- 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
Selection Process
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Success Profiles
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)
- 750 word Statement of Suitability
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your statement of suitability must be no more than 750 words.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)
If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead behaviour will be conducted:
- Extensive laboratory experience and knowledge of cell and virus culture techniques, including maintaining and seeding cells for experiment and virus titration assays.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Only those who meet ALL essential criteria or some essential criteria will be taken forward.
Desirable criteria may be used if we receive a large number of applications.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:
Behaviours
- Delivering at pace
- Leadership
- Communicating and influencing
- Making effective decisions.
You will also be assessed on Previous Skills and Experience:
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
For Fixed term posts
If you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Location:
This role is based at Porton, Salisbury. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Security Clearance Level Requirement
All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:
- Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.
When you are 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.
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 : John Inglis
- Email : john.inglis@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
