UK Health Security Agency
Senior Project Team Leader
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Scientific Campus, Porton
Job Summary
The Pre-clinical Evaluation Team is a translational research group within the Countermeasures Evaluation, Development and Preparedness (CDEP) division at UKHSA Porton Down, focused on high-consequence human pathogens. Research includes pre-clinical evaluation of countermeasures, development of in vivo models, assay development to support vaccine testing, and exploration of organ-on-chip technologies.
We seek an experienced scientist to lead and contribute to projects developing and applying assays to samples from pre-clinical models. These include established, emerging, and innovative in vivo systems aimed at reducing animal use. The role involves close collaboration with the Scientific Lead, Head of Department, and Senior Project Team Leaders to ensure alignment with organisational strategy and strengthen capability across CDEP.
Applicants should hold a PhD (or equivalent experience) in immunology, cell biology or virology, with proven ability to apply a range of immunological techniques to characterise pre-clinical models. Strong communication, organisation, and documentation skills are essential, along with experience managing teams, collaborating externally, and working to high-quality standards (ISO9001: 2015, GxP). Containment level 3 experience is desirable. The role requires flexibility, technical leadership, and the ability to guide a small team to deliver project objectives.
Job Description
- Lead the management and development of pre-clinical models and other relevant immunology-based projects to ensure targets are met.
- Lead and develop capacity building collaborations to ensure project targets are met, working with the Scientific Lead to maintain the engagement of stakeholders.
- Lead on other externally funded projects as assigned, meeting targets in line with sponsor requirements, engaging with collaborators and networks as required.
- Identify, bid, and lead on internal and external funding with a focus on pre-clinical models/immunology and develop the group in line with departmental objectives.
- Provide reports and data as required by the Scientific Leads/Head of Department and external stakeholders as required.
- To build external links with collaborators and similar groups to the benefit the project(s) and/or department.
- To give internal/external presentations, develop, draft, and submit manuscripts on work for peer-reviewed publications.
- Take lead responsibility for ensuring that junior staff allocated to the project(s) are adequately supervised and trained.
- Lead the project team/area to identify, evaluate and adapt new approaches where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
This list is not exhaustive.
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Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- PhD, or equivalent years’ experience, in relevant subject e.g., Immunology, Cell biology or Virology etc.
- Experience of working with the development of pre-clinical models, including establishment and subsequent use for intervention testing.
- Experience of working in immunology, including assessment of humoral and cellular responses, assay development and hands-on flow cytometry experience.
- Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff.
- Experience of performing in-vivo studies or in-vitro assay to a higher quality standard (ISO9001: 2015, GxP).
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme participation/management.
- Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt, and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in virology, especially experience in “wet” virology techniques (e.g., plaque assay, virus isolation, propagation).
- Knowledge and experience of practices and principles of working at ADCP containment level 3.
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
- Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate.
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where they may be a number of courses of action.
- Skills for troubleshooting data analysis pipelines.
Salary Information
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.
Selection Process Details
Stage 1: Application & Sift
- Application Form: Complete the application form with details of your employment/activity history.
- 1000 Word Supporting Statement: Outline how 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.
Longlisting
Applications will be longlisted into three piles based on meeting the essential criteria:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
The pile that meets ALL essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting
Shortlisting will be conducted based on the lead criteria:
- PhD, or equivalent years’ experience, in relevant subject e.g., Immunology, cell biology or virology etc.
- Experience of working in immunology, including assessment of humoral and cellular responses, assay development and hands-on flow cytometry experience.
- Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff.
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Stage 2: Interview
- Interview: You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. Behaviours will be tested during the interview stage.
Eligibility Criteria
- External: Open to all external applicants from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as lab-based at our Scientific Campus in Porton, Wiltshire. Please note that 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.
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
Contact Point for Applicants
-
Job Contact:
- Name: John Inglis
- Email: john.inglis@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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