UK Health Security Agency
Research Scientist
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Porton (Scientific Campus)
Job Summary
We are now recruiting for a research scientist position within the Emerging Pathogen Serology group of UKHSA Porton Down. This role would suit a candidate with experience in assay development, performing serological assays, sample receipt and processing. This post will involve projects focussed on emerging pathogens such as Flaviviruses, Lassa, and Monkeypox.
Furthermore, it is expected that this position would involve line management of placement students, supervision of junior staff, management of assay quality assurance as well as day-to-day operation of the laboratories.
Job Description
- Perform a range of standard methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project to ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget
- Sample receipt, liaising with external partners about sample shipments, labelling up and processing of samples ready for testing
- Serology testing for internal/external research projects, clinical trials or serosurveillance using a multitude of serology platforms such as ELISA, Roche e801, MSD and Luminex
- Development of new assays, assay trouble shooting, assay validation, and implementation for routine use
- Take responsibility for laboratory housekeeping and supervision of laboratories following necessary training
- Record and provide data, perform analysis as necessary to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications.
- Ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard
- Liaise with external/internal collaborators about data, reports and publications
- Undertake all assigned work in accordance with UKHSA's Risk Management Systems, policies and procedures
- 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 Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
- To comply with all UKHSA’s policies and procedures
Please note this list is not exhaustive.
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
Person specification
Essential Role Criteria
- Degree level educated in Biological Science or equivalent relevant experience of working in a laboratory
- Prior experience within a ACDP CL2 research laboratory
- Prior experience of working within a team
- Experience of individual research projects
- Experience of working within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO 9001)
Desirable Role Criteria
- Prior laboratory experience working with serological platforms such as Luminex, MSD or Roche
- Prior experience in working within a team involved in public health incident and responses
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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).
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours, Strengths, and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Required
- You will be required to complete an application form.
- You will be assessed on the listed 5 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 750 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. (Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV).
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. Please do not exceed 750 words.
Stage 2: Interview
Skills
- You will be invited to a face to face interview in Porton. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
- Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working together(lead behaviour)
- Changing and Improving
- Technical skills will be assessed by Technical based questions. Strengths will be assessed via strength based questions.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Additional Information
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. 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.
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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Qualifications And Registrations
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.
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/
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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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in a new window).
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name: Tom Geldeard
- Email: tom.geldeard@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email: recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Visit the Civil Service Commission website for further information: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
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