UK Health Security Agency
Healthcare Scientist
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Lab-Based Role at Scientific Campus in Porton
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. (No hybrid working is available for this role).
Based at our scientific campus, 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.
Job Summary
UKHSA Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release. The site is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and a number of laboratories are accredited to UKAS ISO 15189:2022.
In addition, the centre undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufactures a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics.
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
- 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.
- Facilitate current testing strategies and the development of new assays.
- Coordinate 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.
- Deputise as appropriate for senior staff.
- Write and maintain laboratory documentation such as SOPs and risk assessments.
- 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 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.
- 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.
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Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Degree in a relevant biological science.
- Experience in NGS platforms.
- 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 criteria
- Knowledge of automated liquid handling.
- Basic knowledge of project principles.
- Previously worked in a similar position within the public sector.
- Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, networking and persuasive skills.
Salary Information
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%
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (9) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 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.
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). Please do not email us your CV.
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Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.
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’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
- Degree in a relevant biological science.
- Experience in NGS platforms.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications /large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be
- Communication and Influencing
- Working Together - Lead behaviour
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
Interviews dates are to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. (No hybrid working is available for this role).
Based at our scientific campus, 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.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.
Eligibility Criteria – External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
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)
- 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
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