UK Health Security Agency
Senior Biomedical Scientist
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Colindale (London)
Job Summary
At UKHSA Colindale, laboratory teams deliver highly specialised services using complex techniques and nationally or internationally unique capabilities. Reference laboratories provide authoritative and validated analysis for complex clinical and virological problems, while leading innovation in microbiological and virological methods, standards, surveillance programmes, outbreak detection, and infection control strategies.
Microbiology reference units support clinical diagnosis, specialist reference testing, methodology development, microbial epidemiology, outbreak investigations, and responses to international health alerts. They also provide expert advice on infection risks. Clinical samples and isolates are received from public health departments, NHS organisations, and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, characterisation, and susceptibility analysis.
This post is based within the Clinical Services Unit (CSU) of PHMRM. As an HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will support the Unit Head and Lead Scientists in delivering a high-quality national reference service for Hepatitis, HIV, and HTLV. The role includes providing scientific and technical leadership within the specialist pathogen area and contributing to the development, validation, and implementation of novel technologies within reference services.
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.
Job Description
Take delegated responsibility from the CSU Lead Clinical Scientist and technical manager and other senior Clinical and Technical staff in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures and contribute to the day-to-day reference and surveillance activities of CSU.
Day to day responsibility for assisting in the management and implementation of CSU reference laboratory work, surveillance, scientific development, and specialist service activities. The post holder will be closely working with other Biomedical scientists in delivering different areas of disciplines. The post holder will also be required to collaborate with internal, external and international scientists on projects. To always comply with UKHSA and CSU safety regulations, guidelines and quality standards in relation to work carried out.
Technical Service
- Technical charge” for a CSU team; provide day-to-day professional leadership, set direction and lead by example.
- Contribute to CSU strategy/policy; develop advice, proposals and innovations to meet short/long-term objectives.
- Ensure confidentiality and information governance with Caldicott Guardian, DPO and Security of Information Officer; comply with Data Protection Act.
- Deliver safe, high-quality laboratory service: perform relevant tests; interpret, verify and record results to protocols; review controls/standards; troubleshoot assay/test failures; validate/authorise reports as required.
- Support service development and sustainability: evaluate new/state-of-the-art methods/equipment; produce evaluation reports; identify and support income-generation activity.
- Provide specialist advice to internal/external labs and users; collate and present data for discussion.
- Prepare/maintain controlled documents: SOPs, methodologies, COSHH and risk assessments.
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People management
- Set work programmes; supervise laboratory activity and staffing levels; ensure staff deployment, availability and welfare.
- Act as Laboratory Training Officer: organise/participate in training for staff, students and visitors; ensure competency assessment as required.
- Support recruitment/selection with Technical/Operations Managers; lead induction, education and ongoing development.
- Conduct appraisals/performance reviews; manage performance issues.
Support services & equipment
- Shared responsibility for stock/consumables: acquisition, control and efficient use.
- Support equipment purchasing (with Technical Lead) and ensure planned maintenance.
- Contribute to development/maintenance of MOLIS LIMS for CSU.
Quality / governance
- Maintain best-practice standards so delivery is safe, efficient, effective and economical; ensure ISO 15189 and other accreditation/certification compliance.
- Support EQA processing/reporting; drive continuous quality improvement.
- Maintain internal/external audit programmes and corrective actions; monitor non-conformances.
- CSU contact for customer complaints; record, investigate and resolve adverse incidents via TrackWise.
Professional development
- Maintain CPD and any registration/statutory requirements; agree and deliver PDP objectives; complete mandatory training (e.g., fire safety, information governance).
Working relationships
- Build effective relationships across UKHSA (Unit/Reference Microbiology/CSL; network, finance, HR, H&S, operations, senior lab staff) and externally (NHS/users, reference labs, European networks/working groups, government agencies, national/international customers, suppliers, commercial/professional bodies).
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as Biomedical Scientist
- BSc (Hons) in Biomedical science or related subject (molecular biology / cell biology / genetics biochemistry / microbiology /immunology)
- Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences by attending lectures and seminars
- CPD registration and certification
- Microbiology Laboratory Experience working within a microbiology or virology laboratory molecular and serological assay development, validation, and service delivery
- Good in-depth knowledge and experience in the development and validation of molecular and serological assays
- Knows and understands quality assurance and laboratory safety requirements and procedures
- Experience in managing surveillance and/or research-based activities and projects.
- Experience in communication and collaboration at national and international level with a track record of peer-reviewed publications and oral presentations.
- Experience in training others
- Excellent written and communication skills
- Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
- Skills in dealing with difficult situations in managing staff and customer service delivery.
- Organised, flexible and innovative approach to work, self-motivating.
- Ability to analyse data based on evidence and present it in a meaningful way.
- Ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines
- 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.
- High level of motivation and commitment to high standards.
- Articulate and clear thinking.
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The above is an outline of the tasks, responsibility and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required by their line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the team, Directorate and the Organisation.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.
If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing, substantive T&Cs. If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.
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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1,000 word Supporting Statement
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.
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 CV. 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
If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of :
- Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as Biomedical Scientist
- Microbiology Laboratory Experience working within a microbiology or virology laboratory molecular and serological assay development, validation, and service delivery
- Knows and understands quality assurance and laboratory safety requirements and procedures
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single
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