Principal Toxicologist

The post holder will take responsibility for a programme of experimental research to develop and validate in vitro chemical toxicity testing assays and other NAM approaches for regulatory and wider purposes.

This newly created role will allow the expansion of UKHSA capability in this important area and will involve managing a small team of scientific staff. It will require significant interaction and collaboration with relevant academics, Government departments and international organisations (e.g. OECD) involved in the development of regulatory testing approaches for chemicals.

This will involve managing staff and developing and maintaining appropriate laboratory facilities and specialist equipment.

The post holder will act as a specialist point of reference in a specific area of expertise providing advice within and beyond UKHSA and will also be expected to seek funding for relevant projects.

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing, and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

**The main responsibilities of the post holder are to**:

- Manage and lead a small team of junior researchers and students to develop and standardise regulatory relevant in vitro toxicity assay.
- Successfully manage their time and the priorities of the team, working to progress multiple tasks and managing research contracts.
- Develop working relationships with colleagues within the Toxicology Department and the wider Chemical functions of UKHSA and beyond with relevant academics and Government Departments.
- Communicate and clearly present key outputs within the academic and policy arenas, including producing impactful publications for peer reviewed journals.
- Applications are sought from individuals with a strong background in in vitro toxicology, preferably with experience of assay development and validation and an understanding of chemical regulation.
- Applications are sought in particular from those with a background in carcinogenicity (including non genotoxic carcinogenicity) testing approaches in vitro to complement existing staff expertise.

**STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT**:
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to Essential Criteria.

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

STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW

Pay

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

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

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

**Security Clearance Level Requirement**:
Hybrid Working

UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be 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 need and in line with departmental policy.

Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. Business travel between base location and any other UKHSA offices will be covered under the UKHSA Travel and Expenses policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.