UK Health Security Agency
Senior Project Team Leader
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Idmiston, South West England, SP4 0JG
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced scientist and project leader to provide scientific direction and project management across the Emerging Pathogen Serology (EPS) team's portfolio of projects and services. The role will lead the coordination and delivery of serology activities, with a particular focus on pandemic preparedness, sero-surveillance, sero-epidemiology, and the provision of high-throughput serology services. The post holder will be responsible for the successful delivery of scientific and technical activities within the EPS team, working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to advance public health objectives. They will oversee project and service delivery, drive assay development initiatives, and ensure the team maintains high standards of scientific excellence and operational performance.
Candidates will hold a PhD in Immunology, Microbiology, or a related discipline (or possess equivalent experience), and will be recognised as a subject matter expert in immunoassay development. They will have a proven track record in the development, validation and evaluation of immunoassays for pathogens of public health importance, particularly those identified on the UKHSA priority pathogen list. Strong knowledge of serology service delivery, including experience supporting large-scale testing programmes and preparedness activities, is essential.
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
- Leading the development, evaluation and implementation of serology assays, methods and technologies to support pandemic preparedness and response.
- Providing scientific and technical leadership for the EPS team, overseeing project delivery and service outputs.
- Managing and developing staff, including line management responsibilities, performance management and objective setting.
- Monitoring project progress, resources and team performance to ensure delivery against agreed targets and timelines.
- Overseeing the analysis, interpretation, reporting and presentation of project data to internal and external stakeholders.
- Identifying, evaluating and implementing new technologies and methodologies to enhance scientific capability and service delivery.
- Building and maintaining effective collaborations with internal and external partners to support project and departmental objectives.
- Supporting the professional development of team members and fostering a high-performing, collaborative working environment.
- Ensuring all activities are conducted in compliance with relevant quality systems, regulatory standards (including GxP where applicable), and UKHSA policies and procedures.
- Maintaining and promoting a strong culture of health and safety, ensuring personal, team and laboratory supervisor competence in accordance with UKHSA requirements and national occupational standards.
- Demonstrating and promoting UKHSA values and behaviours in all aspects of leadership and service delivery.
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Person specification
Essential Role Criteria
- PhD in appropriate discipline (for example Microbiology or Immunology) or MSc and significant postgraduate experience in development of immunoassays and serology testing
- Specialist knowledge in serology assay development and evaluation
- Ability to exercise good judgement in solving problems and making effective decisions, using knowledge, intuition and comprehensive situational awareness.
- Ability to cope, and help others cope, with uncertainty, change and often tight timelines. Be adaptable and work flexibly to meet deadlines
- Strong communicator capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
Desirable Role Criteria
- Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff
- Experience of complex data analysis, presentations, reports and publications
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 Experience, Behaviours, and Technical skills
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
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)
- 1000 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 1000 words. Please do not exceed 1000 words.
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 ‘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:
- PhD in appropriate discipline (for example Microbiology or Immunology) or MSc and significant postgraduate experience in development of immunoassays and serology testing
- Specialist knowledge in serology assay development and evaluation
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
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If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be invited to a remote interview. Behaviours, and Technical skills will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be
- Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
- Communicating and influencing
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
There will be a 10-minute presentation entitled “From Preparedness to Response: Leading an Emerging Pathogen Serology Service”
Technical skills will be assessed via technical questions.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Additional Information
Location
This role is being offered as office 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).
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Incident Response Activity
From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.
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.
Future Location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will
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