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Prif leoliad
Science
Gradd
Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Contract
Cyfnod Penodol: 2 flynedd (x2 Fixed-term contract until 31st October 2026 x1 Fixed-term contract for one year from start date)
Oriau
  • Llawnamser
  • Rhan-amser
  • Rhannu swydd
  • Gweithio hyblyg
37.5 awr yr wythnos
Cyfeirnod y swydd
919-HM-36557737-EXT
Cyflogwr
UK Health Security Agency
Math o gyflogwr
Public (Non NHS)
Gwefan
UKHSA Porton Down
Tref
Salisbury
Cyflog
£31,997 - £39,076 per annum, pro rata
Cyfnod cyflog
Yn flynyddol
Yn cau
10/02/2025 23:59

Teitl cyflogwr

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.

Trosolwg o'r swydd

The Pre-clinical Evaluation Unit is a translational research group within the wider Research and Evaluation department at UKHSA Porton Down, investigating high consequence human pathogens.

Research undertaken includes the investigation of organ-on-a-chip technology for modelling human infectious disease and evaluating candidate medical countermeasures, the Pre-clinical Evaluation of countermeasures using in vivo models. It also includes the development of a range of assays to advance the testing of medical countermeasures.  

Prif ddyletswyddau'r swydd

The successful candidate will provide technical virological, cell culture and assay expertise in a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities within the Pre-clinical Evaluation Unit on a range of projects. This post suits a candidate with experience in the relevant laboratory techniques, and a proven capability in critical thinking and problem solving. You will be expected to take a flexible and adaptable approach to the demands of the projects, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to collaborate with lab users from other teams.

The postholder will:

  • Have relevant degree and/or experience in virology and/or a biological science in the laboratory environment with the ability to undertake a broad range of standard laboratory techniques and tasks.
  • Have good communication skills, good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills.
  • Experience working with pathogens at containment level 2 and containment level 3 would be an advantage however full training and support will be given.

Gweithio i'n sefydliad

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

Swydd ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • Contributing to the development of a range of laboratory methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met.
  • Taking responsibility for the provision of laboratory reagents and consumables required for the project and document storage of materials.
  • Taking responsibility for laboratory housekeeping and supervision of laboratory maintenance.
  • Ensuring that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
  • Ensuring accurate documentation and tracking of samples, data, and laboratory records.
  • Providing reports, presentations, and publications through analysis of data, using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
  • Taking responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required.
  • Performing any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
  • Ensuring that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and working within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
  • Maintaining health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1).
  • Fulfilling the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
  • Complying with all UKHSA policies and procedures and participate in all mandatory training as required.
  • Identifying, discussing, and actioning own professional performance and training / development needs with line manager.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria:

  • PhD or BSc/MSc with several years’ experience in biological science/virology subject 
  • Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for the project including standard microbiology, molecular biology, virology techniques, immunoassays, cell-based assays, cell culture and working at containment level 2/containment level 3.
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
  • Specialist training/experience in some of specific methods required for the post and their applications e.g., virus isolation & propagation, plaque assay, focus forming assay, RT-qPCR, primary ex vivo and differentiated cell culture, Organ-on-a-Chip systems, virus neutralisation assays, ELISA, immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, ELISpot.
  • Clear communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
  • Ability to analyse and interpret information and react dynamically to unanticipated or unplanned events.
  • Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Excellent team working skills with the ability to understand the importance of team work to achieve overall team goals.
  • Ability to work using own initiative and organise own workload without supervision, working to tight and often changing deadlines.

Selection process details

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

Stage 1 - Application & Sift: 

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 9 essential criteria which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of an

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application

  • 1250 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 application form and statement of suitability will be marked together.

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

Piles Meets all essential criteria and Meets some essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on essential criteria: PhD or BSc/MSc with several years’ experience in biological science/virology subject.

Please do not exceed 1250 words.  We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.  In exceptional circumstances remote interviews may be offered.

Behaviour's, Technical experience, Abilities and Strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Delivering at Pace (lead)
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Developing Self and Others

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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.

If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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.

Eligibility Criteria 

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement 

Successful candidates for this role must pass a disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.   

Manyleb y person

Application form

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Application form and Statement of suitability

Behaviours

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Changing and Improving
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Developing Self and Others

Bathodynnau ardystio / achredu cyflogwyr

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

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Rhagor o fanylion / cyswllt ar gyfer ymweliadau anffurfiol

Enw
Harry Mccullagh
Teitl y swydd
Resourcing Officer
Cyfeiriad ebost
[email protected]
Gwneud cais ar-lein nawrAnfonwch hysbysiadau ataf am swyddi gwag tebyg