UK Health Security Agency
Operational Lead ECACC
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Porton Down, Salisbury
Job Summary
UKHSA’s Culture Collections is a Biological Resource Centre that provides a service maintaining and supplying strains of cultured cells and microorganisms for public health research. It is structured as a fully integrated service, underpinning science with significant scientific, manufacturing and business activities and operates from laboratories across UKHSA and from a specialist cryo-storage facility on the Porton site.
The European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC) and Human Genetic Services focuses on procuring new human and animal cell lines and includes the maintenance and supply of these for public health research and diagnostic testing.
The ECACC Operational Lead will oversee technical and laboratory operations for the manufacture, quality control, and maintenance of ECACC collection and associated services.
This role ensures service delivery meets agreed quality standards, is safe, effective, and economical. The post holder will manage staffing, training, and business operations within the laboratory, and provide professional leadership to operational staff.
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
Reporting to the Head of Culture Collections, the Operational Lead will:
- Plan, organise, and supervise ECACC manufacturing and quality control processes and human genetic services
- Maintain compliance with UKHSA policies, regulatory standards, and quality systems
- Manage operational staff, training programmes, and performance reviews
- Contribute to service improvement, business planning, and income generation
- Act as Laboratory Safety Officer and ensure health and safety compliance
- Communicate technical cell culture matters internally and externally
- Deliver a service that meets the agreed quality standards so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical
- With Quality Assurance Manager, ensure compliance with QMS, regulatory requirements, ISO 9001/17025, audits, corrective actions, documentation and continual improvement.
- For ECACC purposes, deputise for the Quality Assurance Manager
- To provide professional leadership for members of staff for whom s/he is accountable, leading staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member
This role requires the ability to respond quickly to onsite emergencies across multiple labs across the Porton Down site, and perform related duties in a safe and effective manner.
The Main Duties Will Include:
Production / Quality Control
- Maintain separation between production and quality control functions.
- Manage manufacturing schedules, stock levels and banking operations in line with policies and cost-effective practices.
- Oversee batch records, evaluation of results and quality testing for internal and external parties.
- Implement production planning and banking strategies to maintain inventory continuity.
- Manage raw material stocks in line with throughput requirements.
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.
Communication
- Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders on technical aspects of cell culture.
- Direct staff on procedures and policies.
People Management and Training
- Manage, supervise and train ECACC operational staff, ensuring their safety and welfare.
- Develop and deliver training programmes, ensuring staff are competent to perform procedures.
- Conduct appraisals, performance reviews and personal development plans.
- Oversee staff deployment, supervision, availability and wellbeing.
- Contribute to recruitment, induction, development and HR processes.
- Maintain personal CPD and supervisory skills.
Health, Safety & Security
- Participate in safety rotas where required.
- Take responsibility for health, safety and welfare in line with UKHSA policies.
- Implement safe systems of work, conduct risk assessments and ensure COSHH compliance.
- Report and respond to incidents and ensure corrective actions are taken.
- Prioritise health and safety at all times and comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with ISO standards, the Human Tissue Act and associated procedures.
- Maintain manufacturing documentation systems.
- Support quality improvement initiatives and audits.
- Report adverse incidents appropriately.
Equality & Diversity
- Act in accordance with relevant legislation and promote inclusive behaviours.
Technical / Scientific Duties
- Manage preparation of cell cultures and apply expertise to quality control and stability testing.
- Support development of new cell cultures and testing methods.
- Prepare reports, maintain databases and review SOPs.
- Respond to customer queries with appropriate technical advice.
Information and Knowledge
- Ensure laboratory IT systems support operational needs.
- Contribute to development of IT systems and databases.
Learning & Development
- Support delivery of cell culture training courses.
Financial Management
- Order stock up to £10k and support budget management.
- Monitor expenditure and income and assist with cost calculations and pricing.
- Support business planning, marketing and income generation activities.
Services and Project Management
- Maintain up-to-date procedures and drive continuous improvement in quality and efficiency.
- Support R&D activities and introduction of new technologies.
- Ensure equipment and facilities are maintained, compliant and fit for purpose.
- Oversee laboratory maintenance, asset registers and continuity planning.
Professional Development
- Maintain CPD, attend conferences and complete mandatory training.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Person specification
- BSc in biological sciences or equivalent level of experience in human life sciences
- Several years’ experience of research and development using a range of cell culture types and techniques
- Demonstrable supervisory and management experience
- Expertise in laboratory safety
- Interest in future developments in cell biology including stem cells
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Effective project and programme management skills including planning, delivery and meeting financial targets
- Strategic thinking with ability to anticipate issues, evaluate options and take decisions on difficult or contentious matters
- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate action to address issues
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- High attention to detail, able to meet deadlines and follow guidelines
- Adaptable, flexible and able to cope with change; able to concentrate for long periods
- Committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and development of self and others
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Please note that for roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
Alongside your salary of £56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,276 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, strengths, experience and technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 1500 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.
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
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- BSc in biological sciences or equivalent level of experience of working in a human life sciences
- Evidence of several years’ experience of research and development using a range a range of cell culture types and techniques
- Evidence of supervisory and management experience
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview in Porton Down. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The subject of this
“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