Scientific Leaders

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 277456**Salary**:

- £62,489 - £71,893- Office based Porton Down, occasional lab work and travel**Job grade**:

- Grade 6**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Type of role**:

- Science**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Porton Down, SalisburyAbout the job

**Job summary**:
**The Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation (DPC) Division focuses on key initial steps in the control of infections, namely pathogen identification, characterisation and development of diagnostics. This role is focusing on the increasing use of genomic methods to both to detect and characterise the pathogens and the host response to infections caused by them with particular emphasis on ACDP HG 3 & 4 agents.**

**Location**
UKHSA Porton Down, SP4 0JG

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.

This role can be based at one of our UKHSA offices/locations (Leeds, Manchester, Totnes, London, Horsham, Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham, Harlow, Liverpool, Fareham, Gloucester, Newcastle and Birmingham) with opportunities for an element of working from home.
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.
- *Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*_

**Job description**:
**Working Pattern - **Full Time, Part Time, Flexible Working.

**Responsibilities section**:

- To provide scientific direction to DPC on diagnostics, ensuring that targets are appropriate and meet Science group and UKHSA strategic goals. Provide expertise on diagnostics used in the detection and characterisation of pathogens working closely with central, network and NHS labs to develop and implement new methods
- To take the lead in maintaining and enhancing a research capability on diagnostic development with particular emphasis on the use of scalable diagnostic methods and supporting the Diagnostic Accelerator function.
- To lead the identification, protection and exploitation of intellectual property within the programme.
- To develop and maintain a strong national and international profile and networks through presentations, high impact publications, membership of committees and boards.
- To contribute to the quality of science and scientific strategy at UKHSA by promoting and enabling collaboration within DPC/Science Group and across UKHSA to enhance the science base and capability development.
- To lead, train, mentor and support the development of scientists both within the programme and across DPC and UKHSA as required.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.

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.

**Person specification**:
**Essential**:

- PhD in appropriate discipline and extensive experience in a research environment
- Internationally recognised expert with publication record in high impact journals, membership of expert panels and strong national and international collaborations and networks
- HCPC registration
- Experience of working with infectious disease agents and the molecular and serological diagnostics used to detect them and LIMS systems interfacing of data from testing
- Extensive experience of research pathogens especially ACDP HG 3 & 4
- Excellent communications, networking and influencing skills and with proven ability to influence at senior level.
- Able to present information at internal/external meetings
- Ability to recognise and materialise scientific innovations into new business
- Excellent communication skills. Able to convey complex, issues to a range of audiences, able to negotiate and influence at a senior level to achieve desired outcome. Able to present information at internal/external meetings.
- Experience in a wide range of techniques within laboratory-based biological research
- Experience of dealing with external and internal customers, negotiating and agreeing work programmes, reporting progress, dealing with any issues to ensure delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Ability to recognise and materialise scientific innovations into new business
- Strong leadership skills, extensive experience of leading teams
- Experience of working practices within high co