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Job summary

Main area
Science
Grade
Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
919-KL-60712665-EXT
Employer
UK Health Security Agency
Employer type
Public (Non NHS)
Site
Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG
Town
Salisbury
Salary
£30,473 - £37,215 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

UK Health Security Agency logo

Scientist

Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

  • Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
  • Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
  • Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
  • Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
  • Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

We are looking for a Scientist to join our Clinical Evaluation Team and contribute delivery of projects related to GxP testing of vaccine candidates in our Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre. The VDEC is a world-class facility that conducts laboratory research to support all stages of vaccine and therapeutic development, from discovery to licensure on a range of emerging health security threats. The Clinical Evaluation team in VDEC played a critical role in the COVID-19 response and is now expanding its scope and impact. As a member of our team, you will help and shape the UK’s vaccine strategy and contribute to the health and economic prosperity of the nation.

The post holder will provide immunoassay and molecular biology laboratory experience within the Clinical Evaluation Team to expand the pseudovirus production and assay capability to enable the testing of clinical samples.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the project team leader and work closely with other groups to produce a range of pseudovirus particles and develop, qualify and validate Pseudovirus Neutralisation assays (PNA) that will enable clinical testing to support vaccine licensure. 
The post would suit a candidate with some knowledge and experience of molecular biology, immunoassay and/or assay development and working in a regulated environment. 
The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the project have good written and verbal communication skills and demonstrate a proactive and organised approach and be able to work across teams. Experience of supervising and /or training junior members of staff is desirable.

Working for our 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.  

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for:

  • Utilise a range of laboratory methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
  • Take responsibility for the provision of laboratory reagents and consumables required for the project and document storage of materials.
  • Take responsibility laboratory housekeeping and/or supervision and ensure laboratory maintenance.
  • Ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
  • Ensure accurate documentation and tracking of samples and data and laboratory records and correctly follow SOP’s.
  • Record and provide data, perform analysis as necessary to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications.
  • To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
  • To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA – Porton Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
  • To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1)
  • To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
  • To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Essential criteria

Please note for this recruitment we will be assessing the below 4 essential criteria’s. To view all criteria’s please see the attached job description.

•    Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level in a specialist area
•    Demonstrable knowledge and practical experience with techniques for project including standard microbiology, immunology or virology techniques 
•    Experience of delivering duties to meet team objectives within set timelines
•    Experience of lab safety practices and/or supervision and/or risk assessment

Desirable criteria
•    MSc in relevant area
•    Experience and knowledge of specialist technique(s) such as recombinant virology, general molecular biology techniques, neutralization assays, assay development
•    Demonstrable knowledge and experience of having worked in a regulated environment (i.e., GxP, ISO)
•    Experience of working at ACDP Containment Level 3
•    Experience of training others and supervising junior members of staff
•    Some experience in writing documentation (study plan, protocols) as well as data analysis and presentation

Selection Process:  

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

  • a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
  • a  1000 word Statement of Suitability

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.  

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Please do not exceed 1000 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview at Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.

Behaviours, experience and skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

Interview dates TBC.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location Information

Please note that Hybrid working is not an option at this site. The location is: Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).  

Security Clearance Level Requirement  

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. 

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Working for the Civil Service

TheCivil Service Codesets 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.  

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.  

It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:  

  • life sentences  

  • arson  

  • sexual offences  

  • hate and terror offences  

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role. 

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Starting salary

Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.   

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.   

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.  

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet - Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment .

 

Person specification

CV and Statement of Suitability

Essential criteria
  • CV and Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

Essential criteria
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Purple SpaceApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Carer Confident -AccomplishedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Recruitment Team
Job title
Resourcing Support
Email address
[email protected]
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