About this role
Job summary
The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) is an ISO:15189 accredited laboratory which provides a clinical diagnostic service for rare, high consequence and difficult to diagnose pathogens, including arboviruses, rickettsiae, leptospirosis, viral haemorrhagic fevers, Lyme disease, and a range of ACDP hazard group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis.
In 2025, RIPL introduced a diagnostic Bartonella service providing PCR and serological testing. RIPL works closely with other UKHSA departments covering a wide range of infectious disease services and associated epidemiology services. RIPL is also home to the national Imported Fever Service, a partnership between RIPL clinicians and clinicians from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (University College Hospitals, London) and the Liverpool Tropical Infectious Disease Unit.
We are seeking a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist who will be based at RIPL, UKHSA Porton Down. They will have experience in providing clinical diagnostic services in microbiology/virology, with a particular interest in diagnostics.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Scientist will work as a member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team and provide clinical and scientific advice to clinicians on testing and the interpretation of results. They will be required to:
Interpret and report results from RIPL and liaise with clinicians and other healthcare professionals on relevant aspects of patient management (e.g. additional testing and investigations) Act as a link between the laboratory and front-line medical professionals Support the development and provision of specialist services Work with other members of the clinical, laboratory and research teams to introduce a routinecontainment level 3 bacterial culture capability into RIPL Contribute to the development and establishment of methodologies for investigating relevant viral and bacterial infections Contribute to the introduction of new diagnostic methodologies into the unit to ensure that a comprehensive service is provided for imported diseases Contribute to outbreak investigations including participation in relevant UKHSA enhanced incident responses Through example, discussion and daily working practice, educate and encourage junior members of staff in the interpretation and significance of laboratory work for patient management Establish collaborations with other UKHSA laboratories, academic institutions and laboratories in the UK and abroad Further duties can be found under Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities.
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job description Job responsibilities
Participate in scientific research activities as part of a formal research programme, they will be encouraged to develop and lead projects relevant to the unit and to apply for grant funding support as needed Present research findings at relevant internal, national and international meetings Prepare and write scientific papers for publication Facilitate joint working on novel and dangerous diseases across UKHSA and in collaboration with the NHS Contribute to training for visiting scientists, clinical scientists, resident doctors, Biomedical Scientists and Healthcare Scientists, and supervise research/PhD students Work with Laboratory Quality Lead to ensure compliance with ISO:15189 and other relevant standards Maintain a high standard of work, appraising and developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical, and follows best practice Maintain quality systems and keep abreast of changing regulations and directives to meet appropriate accreditation and safety standards Maintain high professional standards by continuous professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology Ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority, and demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors by complying with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the senior management team Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure Report any personal sickness (during and after such an event) that may have potentially been caused by or may impact upon work, in line with the UKHSA Sickness Absence management policy The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of these roles.
They will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required. The job descriptions and person specifications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Essential Criteria
HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in Microbiology Experience in practical bacteriology/virology Experience in molecular and serological diagnostics Awareness of biosafety/biosecurity relevant to the post Experience in clinical microbiology/virology Ability to scope new ideas and concepts on your own initiative and work outside your previousexperience, including responding to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner Ability to (a) assess complex/novel situations and topics by applying fundamental scientific principles, and (b) gather, analyse, interpret and critically assess complex information Desirable Criteria
Knowledge of disease characteristics and management of pathogens relevant to the post Experience of working at containment level 3 Evidence of engagement with quality improvement activity Evidence of peer-reviewed research Application & Sift (Competency-based)
At sift stage you will be assessed against the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert. You will be required to complete an:
Application form (Employer/Activity history section on the application) 1000 word Supporting Statement This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role. You will receive a joint score for your application form and Supporting Statement.
The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email your CV.
Healthjobsuk has a word limit of 1500 but your Supporting Statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000.
Longlisting
In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all Essential Criteria Meets some Essential Criteria Meets no Essential Criteria Only those that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.
Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:
HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in Microbiology Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Interview (Competency-based)
You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview.
Interview date(s) and location to be confirmed.
During the interview we will assess against the below in relation to the 7 Essential Criteria:
Knowledge Experience Skills and Abilities You will be asked to prepare and present a 10-minute presentation on how you would build the hazard group 3 bacteriology capability for RIPL.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Salary Information
Grade: AfC Band 8a
£57,528 - £64,750 Per annum, pro-rata
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our laboratory in Porton Down - UKHSA Porton, Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our lab.Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC).
For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires CTC clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice
Person Specification
Application Form & Supporting Statement Essential
Application Form & Supporting Statement
Essential Criteria Essential
Knowledge, Experience, Skills & Abilities
Presentation Essential
Prepare and present a 10-minute presentation on how you would build the hazard group 3 bacteriology capability for RIPL.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency
Address Hybrid working based at Porton Down Laboratory
Salisbury
SP4 0JG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)