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Prif leoliad
Senior Scientist
Gradd
Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Contract
Parhaol
Oriau
  • Llawnamser
  • Rhan-amser
  • Rhannu swydd
  • Gweithio hyblyg
37.5 awr yr wythnos
Cyfeirnod y swydd
919-KL-37618796-EXT
Cyflogwr
UK Health Security Agency
Math o gyflogwr
Public (Non NHS)
Gwefan
Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG
Tref
Salisbury
Cyflog
£38,724 - £44,393 per annum pro rata
Cyfnod cyflog
Yn flynyddol
Yn cau
08/07/2024 23:59

Teitl cyflogwr

UK Health Security Agency logo

Senior Scientist

Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

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

We are looking for a Senior 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 (VDEC). 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.

This post will provide clinical assay expertise to the group, as directed by the senior project team leader. In particular, the post holder will initially implement assays to quantify responses to influenza.

Prif ddyletswyddau'r swydd

This post is required to supervise a small project team within CET to develop and deliver regulatory assays to support vaccine licensure studies for government and commercial sponsors.  The post holder will be responsible for discrete aspects of testing activities such as assay development, qualification and validation and supporting the delivery of testing activities to support to support vaccine licensure. 

The post holder will also be responsible for assessing and implementing new technologies, investigating trends, and identifying process improvements. The role may evolve to encompass assays for other targets in response to public health and vaccine developers and sponsor requirements.

This post would suit a candidate with experience in the relevant laboratory techniques and a proven capability in problem solving, data analysis, report writing and project delivery. Experience developing assays clinical assays and/or working in a regulated environment would be highly desirable.

The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the project, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to collaborate with lab users from other teams. The post holder will show initiative, have good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills, with previous experience in a regulated environment.

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.  

Swydd ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

  1. Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
  2. Support senior project team leader to deliver assay method development activities as appropriate to support team priorities.
  3. Take lead responsibility for the management and training of junior or untrained staff allocated to team.
  4. Monitor direct reports objectives and performance to ensure project targets are met. 
  5. Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
  6. Lead the project team or project area to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
  7. Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
  8. Provide reports through analysis of data using statistical software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
  9. Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with all UKHSA health and safety policies and procedures
  10. Ensure that the project team works within Good Clinical Practice guidelines and any other Quality Systems required
  11. Complete all mandatory training as required e.g., equality and diversity, information governance etc.
  12. Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.  Attending internal / external training events
  13. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
  14. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
  15. Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.

Optional Duties

  1. Undertaking risk assessor role, with associated training and ongoing competency
  2. Undertaking and fulfilling Laboratory Supervisor role, with associated training and maintaining competence. This role ensures the safety of the laboratory, procedures, and laboratory users in line with UKHSA policies, Codes of Practice, Standard Operating Procedures and other good practice and guidance.

Essential Criteria

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

  • PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years’ postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience
  • Significant knowledge and practical familiarity with methods that are relevant to the project area (immunological, biological, or virological assays e.g., hemagglutination assay)
  • Demonstrable experience of assay development, monitoring, optimization, bridging or validation techniques
  • Experience of leading projects/project teams and/or line management to meet objectives and delivering work within set timelines
  • Previous experience in training project staff and identifying own and direct reports training needs
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices, risk assessments and lab supervision/management roles
  • Experience of having worked within a GxP regulated environment

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience in implementing or developing new technologies, methods/processes or assays
  • Experience in using data analysis packages for assay monitoring and/or statistical analysis of data, such as Minitab, GraphPad, JMP
  • Experience of working at ACDP Containment Level 3

Selection Process

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

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) 
  • 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:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

Interview dates are 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.

Location Information

Please note that Hybrid working is not available for this role. Your work location will be 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 

Manyleb y person

CV/application form and Statement of Suitability

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • CV/application form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Changing and Improving
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

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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Gwneud cais ar-lein nawr

Rhagor o fanylion / cyswllt ar gyfer ymweliadau anffurfiol

Enw
Katherine Lock
Teitl y swydd
Resourcing Support
Cyfeiriad ebost
[email protected]
Gwybodaeth i gefnogi eich cais

For queries relating to your application please contact [email protected], for queries relating to the role please contact [email protected].

Gwneud cais ar-lein nawrAnfonwch hysbysiadau ataf am swyddi gwag tebyg