UK Health Security Agency
Head of Virus Reference Department
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Head of Virus Reference Department
Clinical Lead, Virus Reference Department (VRD)
Location: Colindale, London (with UK-wide responsibilities)
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Up to 10 Programmed Activities (5 days per week)
Flexible working, part-time and job-share applications welcomed
Salary
- AfC Band 9 (UKPHR): £112,782 - £129,783 per annum, plus High Cost Area Supplement (up to £6,137)
- Consultant (GMC Registered): £109,725 - £145,478 per annum, plus £2,162 London Weighting
Lead a National Centre of Excellence in Virology
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is seeking an outstanding clinical or scientific leader to become Head of the Virus Reference Department (VRD).
This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the UK's foremost virology reference services, delivering national impact across infectious disease surveillance, specialist diagnostics, outbreak response, and public health protection.
As Clinical Lead, you will provide strategic, clinical, and scientific leadership for a nationally recognized department at the forefront of responding to existing and emerging viral threats. Working with senior colleagues across government, the NHS, academia, and public health, you will help shape the future of virology services and strengthen the UK's health security.
About the Virus Reference Department
VRD is part of UKHSA's Public Health Microbiology Directorate and provides specialist laboratory services, expert clinical advice, and scientific leadership to organizations across the UK and internationally.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Its work includes:
- Specialist molecular and serological diagnostics
- Complex reference testing
- Virus culture and characterisation
- Antiviral susceptibility testing
- Development and validation of new diagnostic methods
- National surveillance and outbreak investigations
- Scientific support during public health incidents and emergencies
The department comprises eight specialist units and is fully accredited to ISO 15189 standards by UKAS.
The Role
As Head of VRD, you will lead a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, innovative, and nationally important virology services.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing clinical and scientific leadership across the department.
- Driving the strategic development of national virology reference services.
- Leading clinical governance, quality assurance, and risk management.
- Providing expert virology advice to clinicians, laboratories, and public health partners.
- Supporting national outbreak investigations and incident responses.
- Contributing to research, innovation, and the introduction of new technologies.
- Developing and supporting the next generation of scientific and clinical leaders.
You will also contribute to UKHSA's national clinical advisory services, including the Rabies and Immunoglobulin Advisory Service and the out-of-hours on-call rota.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
About You
We are looking for a respected clinical or scientific leader with:
- Extensive expertise in diagnostic and public health virology.
- A proven track record of leadership in a complex health, scientific, or public health environment.
- Experience of clinical governance, quality management, and service development.
- Expertise in outbreak response, surveillance, and incident management.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A commitment to innovation, research, education, and continuous improvement.
You will have the professional registration and qualifications appropriate to your discipline, including GMC Specialist Registration (medical applicants) or HCPC registration and relevant specialist qualifications (clinical scientist applicants).
Why Join UKHSA?
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in protecting public health, influencing national policy, and leading one of the UK's most influential virology services.
If you are an exceptional leader with the vision and expertise to shape the future of virology and health protection, we would welcome your application.
For full details, including essential criteria and interview information, please click Apply to view the complete advert on HealthJobsUK.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location