UK Health Security Agency
Principal Clinical Scientist
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Scientific Campus, Colindale - London
Job Summary
The National Mycobacterial Reference Service (NMRS) operates two Containment Level 3 laboratories at Colindale and Birmingham, providing UKAS-accredited reference services for tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), alongside specialised NHS diagnostics. This includes molecular testing unavailable in routine NHS laboratories.
Since 2018, all isolates have undergone whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to support species identification, antimicrobial susceptibility prediction and strain typing. NMRS is the sole provider of TB susceptibility testing and typing in England and delivers specialist testing, expert advice and resilience support across the UK. Accurate and timely identification of mycobacteria and drug resistance is essential for patient care and public health management, with clinical oversight required for all samples.
The service also generates income for UKHSA through charged NHS testing, including primary mycobacterial diagnostics and NTM susceptibility testing.
As a World Health Organization (WHO) Supranational Reference Laboratory, NMRS contributes to global TB drug resistance surveillance, monitors resistance trends and provides data that informs international policy through the WHO-IUATLD Global Project on TB Drug Resistance Surveillance.
Job Description
NMRS also has key research partnerships including with the Health Protection Research units in respiratory infections, and genomics, and with other research leaders in mycobacterial infections.
Role Overview
The NMRS Lead Clinical Scientist is a role applicable to a recognised expert in a defined specialty within National Mycobacterial Reference Services. The job holder will lead a team/section dealing with the specialist area, as required. This specialist work is part of a broader area of work undertaken by the NMRS laboratories and led by the Clinical lead. The Principal Clinical Scientist reports to the Regional Head of Operations and will liaise with and be delegated by the Clinical Lead as appropriate. This job description outlines generic tasks covering the role; specific tasks associated with a particular specialism will be agreed with the Clinical Lead and the Regional Head of laboratory Operations for NMRS.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in the provision of a comprehensive and cost-effective analytical service for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance and prevention of mycobacterial infection.
- Work exclusively with Mycobacteria spp., including those in Hazard Group 3, in a containment level 3 environment, and undertake identification, molecular testing, culture-based methods and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Participate in the production, reporting and dissemination of laboratory reports, data and statistics and to help maintain all quality procedures.
- Provide expert and effective advice to medical practitioners on the appropriateness of laboratory investigations and the interpretation of the results obtained, as well as on the use of antimycobacterial drugs and the interpretation of drug test results. This will include attendance at the relevant scientific and multi-disciplinary team clinical meetings in UKHSA sites and NHS partner organisations as appropriate and feasible.
- Seek external grant and commercial funding and to establish a research programme in conjunction with the Clinical Lead.
- Collaborate with the staff of the National Mycobacterium Reference Service, other mycobacterial reference laboratory centres, epidemiologists at HCAI, AMR, AMU and sepsis division in Colindale and consultant clinical microbiologists in devising and performing surveillance of mycobacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance.
- Devise and perform clinical audit as appropriate.
- Participate in the teaching and mycobacterial training of medical, scientific and technical staff from within the NMRS and UKHSA laboratories and outside. To participate in activities such as training courses directed to maintaining or upgrading national mycobacterial standards, and undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at various academic institutions.
- Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects on relevant scientific and clinical problems.
- Maintain professional skills and an up-to-date knowledge of medical microbiology with a focus on mycobacteria and to attend and participate in relevant local, national and international scientific meetings.
- Participate as appropriate in the national work of UKHSA and to be eligible for membership of committees and working groups on matters of mycobacterial importance.
- Undertake other managerial duties and responsibilities within the National Mycobacterium Reference Service as appropriate to this grade.
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Professional Development
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
- Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Key Working Relationships
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;
Internal
- Medical, scientific and biomedical staff within the UKHSA National Mycobacterium Reference Service and relevant UKHSA directorates and partner organisations.
- Senior staff of UKHSA and other divisions of the organisations.
- To attend and participate in relevant meetings and updates on an ad hoc basis.
External
- Medical, scientific and biomedical staff within the national and international stakeholders.
- Hospital and Trust staff serviced by the laboratory, other clinical and primary care staff.
- Staff from external bodies including accreditation bodies, NHS, local authority, university, MHRA and other users/collaborators, national and enforcement bodies, commercial companies and professional groups as required.
This list is not exhaustive.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- PhD in an area relevant to medical microbiology or mycobacteriology.
- Significant post-doctoral experience in medical microbiology or mycobacteriology.
- Experience of working in a clinical laboratory.
- HCPC Clinical Scientist registration.
- Good working knowledge of mycobacterial diseases.
- Good working knowledge of mycobacterial taxonomy.
- Ability to perform and interpret a wide range of diagnostic tests in mycobacteriology.
- Good track record of publication in the field.
- Good people management skills.
- Good working knowledge of varied computer software applications.
- Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
- Understanding and experience of LIMS.
- Good writing and presentation skills.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Eligibility Criteria
- External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
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Location
This role is being offered as lab based at Colindale Scientific Campus, but there will be an expectation to attend our Birmingham HQ when needed to do so. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.
NHS Pension
This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.
Salary Information
NHS AfC: Band 8b
£66,582 - £77,368
This role offers a High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS) of 15% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,870 and a maximum payment of £6,137, per annum, pro rata.
Selection Process Details
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based
Required
- You will be required to complete an application form.
- You will be assessed on the listed 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application).
- 1500 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Stage 2: Interview
Competency based
- You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our Colindale lab.
- In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
- Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
- At the start of the interview you will be required to do a 10 minute presentation, this will entail:
- What do you see as the key challenges and opportunities facing the National Mycobacterial Reference Service over the next five years, and how would you contribute to addressing them?
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.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
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 family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract,
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