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Job summary

Main area
Senior Scientist
Grade
Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
919-KL-37618799-EXT
Employer
UK Health Security Agency
Employer type
Public (Non NHS)
Site
Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG
Town
Salisbury
Salary
£38,724 - £44,393 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
08/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

UK Health Security Agency logo

Senior Scientist-PTL

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.

Job overview

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 molecular and recombinant virology expertise to the group, as directed by the senior project team leader. In particular, the post holder will develop Pseudovirus neutralization capability for priority pathogens.

Main duties of the job

This post is required is to strengthen the molecular virology expertise within the Clinical Evaluation Team, expanding the pseudovirus production and assay capability to enable the testing of clinical samples.

The post holder will supervise a small team who will work closely with the Virology & Pathogenesis and High Containment Microbiology groups to produce a range of pseudovirus particles and develop, qualify and validate Pseudovirus Neutralisation assays (PNA) to enable clinical testing to support vaccine licensure. 

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 effectively with scientists and laboratory users’ other teams.

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 support the senior project team leader to lead a small project team responsible for the delivery of scientific and technical pseudovirus assay activities within the Clinical Evaluation Team. 

-    Collaborate with the Virus & Pathogenesis and High Containment Microbiology groups and external partners to establish pseudovirus production for high consequence pathogens (i.e., Lassa, Ebola) for use in PNA assays within CET

-    Expand the production and testing of the SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses to ensure a rapid response to new variants and ensure pseudovirus production and assay performance meets quality requirements for clinical testing

-    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

-    Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications

-    Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required.

-    Identify and implement any new technologies that will improve performance and capability for pseudovirus production and assay delivery

-    Contribute to the development and implementation of related neutralisation assays into the clinical testing facility where required

-    Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with all UKHSA health and safety policies and procedures

-    Ensure that the project team works within Good Clinical Practice guidelines and any other Quality Systems required

-    Complete all mandatory training as required e.g., equality and diversity, information governance etc.

-    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

-    To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade

-    To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

-    Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade

Key Working Relationships 

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal
Scientists/Project staff, Test Facility Management, Quality and Safety staff

External
Scientists, Collaborators and suppliers

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

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

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’ relevant experience
•    Experience of recombinant virology techniques, including virus like particle and/or pseudovirus systems
•    Significant knowledge and practical and experience of other specialist areas that are relevant to the project (i.e., Knowledge and experience of general molecular biology techniques including RT-PCR, cloning and site-directed mutagenesis, neutralization assays)
•    Recent experience in compiling scientific data, publishing results and reports 
•    Experience in evaluating, implementing and/or developing new technologies, methods or assays
•    Evidence of leading projects/project teams and/or line management to meet project/service objectives and delivering work within set timelines
•    Previous experience in training project staff and identifying own and direct reports training needs

Desirable Criteria

•    Good understanding of safe laboratory working practices and use of risk assessments and experience of implementing and monitoring these in a laboratory supervision/management role
•   Experience of having worked within a GxP regulated environment (i.e., GxP)
•    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) 
  • 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 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 1250 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
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • 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 & Statement of Suitability

Essential criteria
  • CV & Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

Essential criteria
  • Changing and Improving
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • 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
Katherine Lock
Job title
Resourcing Support
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

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

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