About this role
Job summary
Based between UKHSA Porton and Colindale (London) sites, the High Containment Microbiology (HCM) department undertakes work on the highestcategorisation of human and animal pathogens, those at ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) and SAPO (Specified Animal PathogensOrder) Hazard Group 4, to support UK and international clinical and research needs.
The main roles of the department are to:
Deliver efficient effective co-ordination of response to disease outbreaks by high consequence pathogens To ensure the provision of trained and competent staff to work at high containment for the UK clinical and public health need To develop and implement a scientific strategy to keep the area at the cutting edge of scientific and technological advances for working with highconsequence pathogens To conduct research and development activities for ACDP4 and SAPO4 pathogens.
Main duties of the job
The Team Leader will lead and manage project teams, working closely with other team leaders in the department to ensure the successful delivery of clinicaland research projects on Hazard Group 4 viruses. They will lead the development and optimisation of a range of virology and immunological assays for theseviruses, identifying and implementing new techniques and technology to enhance the department's capability for virus detection.
The Team Leader will be encouraged to develop their own areas of interest and expertise within the department, to actively seek out project opportunities and to secure external funding. The role will require working at Containment Level 4 and the post-holder will be required to fulfil all appropriate training and security clearancerequirements.
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
Use scientific knowledge and expertise to develop and co-ordinate diagnostic support and research programmes for ACDP Hazard Group 3 and 4pathogens, in conjunction with other HCM Project Team Leaders and department senior management To be an active worker in CL3 and CL4 laboratories and participate in projects developing and implementing assays for emerging highly pathogenic viruses,to support the HCM research and clinical strategy To work across sites (Colindale and Porton) and across multidisciplinary teams, both within UKHSA and with those of other national and internationalinstitutes To identify and implement new techniques and technologies that will support and enhance HCM capability and delivery of clinical and research projects To develop and nurture links with external organisations (e.g. in academia and industry) To seek out and secure external funding opportunities, where appropriate To take an active role in preparation of reports and manuscripts for publication, and in presenting results internally and externally To obtain and maintain competence in Containment Level 3 and 4 laboratories and comply with all training and competency requirements of the area. To obtain and maintain security vetting at SC level To support the group manager and project team in accordance with UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that areapplicable to the site To support the maintenance of health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health andsafety (NOS HSS1) To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures. 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 berequired by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA. This list is not exhaustive.
Essential criteria:
PhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology/immunology/microbiology. Extensive post-doctoral experience in virology and/or high containment microbiology. Practical knowledge of a wide range of molecular virology methods Knowledge and skills compatible with working in a high containment environment Demonstrable expertise in setting up and successfully leading scientific projects, meeting targets and complying with safety, security, quality and financialsystems Demonstrable experience training, managing and leading project teams Considerable expertise communicating scientific work effectively, e.g. through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations etc. Desirable criteria:
Experience of working in clinical laboratories Selection ProcessDetails(Success Profiles)
This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours/Experience & Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 6 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:
Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1500 wordsupporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswemay longlistinto 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:
PhD (or equivalent experience) in appropriate discipline e.g. virology/immunology/microbiology Extensive post-doctoral experience in virology and/or high containment microbiology. Practical knowledge of a wide range of molecular virology methods Demonstrable expertise in setting up and successfully leading scientific projects, meeting targets and complying with safety, security, quality and financialsystems Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2:Interview
Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be invited to a singleface to face interview at Colindale.
If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, Experience & Technical skillswill be tested at interview through a presentation and questioning.
You will be required to conduct a 10 minute Presentation during the interview, on a virology research question that genuinely interests you. Explain how you would pursue it in a highcontainment laboratory.
More information about the presentation will be sent to candidates invited to interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
Leadership (Lead) Seeing the Big Picture Working Together Managing a Quality Service Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location This role is based at Colindale, London. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass standard 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 Security Clearance. 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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. 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 Eligibility Criteria External:Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Salary Information 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. Civil Service Grade 7 £60,494 - £70,566
Person Specification
Application form and supporting statement Essential
Application form and supporting statement
Interview - Behaviours Essential
Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Working Together Managing a Quality Service
Presentation Essential
Presentation
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).
Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency
Address Scientific Campus
Colindale
NW9 5EQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)