Senior Scientist

3 weeks ago

Salisbury, United Kingdom UK Health Security Agency Full time

Job summary

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

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 Vaccine Development, Evaluation and Preparedness department based at Porton has approximately 300 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department's work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases , SARS-CoV-2, TB, meningitis, anthrax and plague.

The department has also a test facility performing regulated studies in compliance with GLP, GCP and GMP.

Main duties of the job

This post is required is to provide project team leadership to funded projects within the Clinical Evaluation Team, concerned with the testing of clinical trial samples for various vaccine developers. The post holder would be responsible for, and provide leadership, in discrete projects concerning reagent bridging, assay validation and other related activities. The post holder will work across teams to aid establishing peripheral activities for validated assays, including trending and critical reagent management.

Please read all the information on this page carefully - The main duties and responsibilities for the role are displayed below

About us

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To lead the assay validation and critical reagent activities within the assay bridging and validation team, responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities within the Clinical Evaluation Team. This includes but is not limited to:

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. Support senior project team leader to deliver assay method validation, bridging and qualification activities as appropriate to support team priorities Take lead responsibility for the management and training of junior staff allocated to team. Monitor direct reports objectives and performance to ensure project targets are met. Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated. Lead in the establishment and maintenance of trending across teams. Lead in the management of critical reagent and sample activities, supporting other teams to establish similar systems. Identify, evaluate, and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods. Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department. 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. To ensure that work is performed in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to conduct, maintain and comply with GCP guidelines within the GxP facility. To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1). To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: Health, Safety and Wellbeing commensurate with grade To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

OPTIONAL DUTIES (Risk Assessor)

To fulfil the requirements of the UKHSA Health and Safety Risk Management Protocol. To achieve and maintain own health and safety competence set out in national occupational standard Identify, assess, and control health and safety risks (NOS HSP6).

OPTIONAL DUTIES (Laboratory Supervisor)

Take responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of the laboratory, procedures, and laboratory users in line with UKHSA policies, Codes of Practice, SOPs and other good practice and guidance. To achieve and maintain health and safety competence as a laboratory supervisor in line with UKHSA policies and guidance. Essential criteria Significant knowledge and practical experience with laboratory techniques relevant for the project (, cell culture, immunological, biological or virological assays). Demonstrable experience of assay monitoring, optimisation and validation. Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (, GxP, ISO9001) Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources and recommend most appropriate course action to senior PTL/Project manager. Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information. Able to work in an efficient and organised manner with very good attention to detail. Good computer literacy skills and ability to use Microsoft packages and experience with statistical programmes. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Desirable criteria PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and relevant postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience. Good understanding of safe laboratory working practices and experience of implementing and monitoring these in a laboratory supervision/management role. 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. Ability to prepare and produce clear and concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to a diverse audience. Excellent verbal, writing and presentation skills and able to communicate effectively using the most appropriate method to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders. Experience in evaluating, implementing and/or developing new technologies, methods or assays. Ability to work to tight and often changing timescales in a busy environment and able to adjust priorities accordingly. Ability to cope with uncertainly and change. Able to train junior staff and identify reports training needs in order to meet project objectives. Willing to undertake further training with a commitment to continuing professional development. Willing to undergo security clearance and vaccinations if required. Experience at working to containment level 3 Experience of managing direct reports. Able to monitor individual and team performance to ensure team objectives are met. Selection process details

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed (7) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of

a CV/ Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a word Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The CV and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on Technical Knowledge.

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 (single) face to face interview. Since face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

Making Effective Decisions Working Together Managing a quality service Delivering at Pace.

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

This is a Lab-based role working at Porton Down, Wiltshire.

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'srecruitment principles.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Its 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, , 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, 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/Application form

Essential

CV

Application form

Essential

Statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

Making effective decisions Working Together Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace

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