UK Health Security Agency
Diagnostics Scientist (Quality and Incident Investigation)
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Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street)
Leeds (Quarry House)
Liverpool (Cunard Building)
London (Canary Wharf)
Job Summary
The successful applicants will join as a Scientist in the Pathogen Diagnostic Assurance Group (PDAG) providing serological/molecular/antigenic expertise to deliver scientific and technical projects.
The post holder, being a key member of the PDAG, will evaluate in-house and commercial assays and ensure assurance of diagnostic assays for use in UKHSA, Devolved Administrations or NHS diagnostic labs. They will work concurrently on projects to ensure the scientific strategy of the department, and group are met, incorporating with their Line Manager of the constraints of time, cost, and quality.
The post holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience to ensure the project(s) worked on are done so effectively.
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
- Support and maintain PDAG’s Quality Management System
- Support the evaluation of a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic assays across pathogens from the UKHSA’s priority pathogen list and for pandemic preparedness, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
- Independent working under the direction of the Line Manager to identify, and evaluate diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Participate in the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
- Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
- To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
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.
Person specification
Essential role criteria
- Substantive experience of using and maintaining Quality Management Systems
- Degree in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience
- Substantive experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, or validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
- Experience of working with clinical samples and diagnostic testing
- Substantive experience in training junior staff and working within and across teams
- Demonstrates experience of having work experience within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; GLP, UKAS).
- 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
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Desirable Role Criteria
- Experience or understanding of working at ACDP CL2 and/or CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation
- Track record of publications and submitting proposals to promote and develop research areas
- Experience or understanding of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests
Salary and benefits
Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- 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%
Artificial intelligence
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.
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 a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1,000 word Supporting Statement
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.
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 CV. Please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please 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
If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and will proceed to shortlisting.
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Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
- Substantive experience of using and maintaining Quality Management Systems
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.
Behaviours, Ability and Experience will be tested.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Managing a Quality Service (Lead)
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Eligibility Criteria - External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Location - Any Core HQ
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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.
Internal Fraud check
If successful
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