About this role
Job summary
This role is a consultant level post for medical support of the Respiratory Virus Unit of the Virus Reference Department, UKHSA Colindale.
The postholder will lead on virological surveillance of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to develop the capability of the UK to undertake RSV strain surveillance, following the introduction of RSV vaccines. They will contribute to ensuring UKHSA remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and that the evidence base for intervention in, and prevention of outbreaks, is world leading.
Main duties of the job
The appointee will support the development of virological surveillance of RSV as a cause of respiratory infections, including molecular and antigenic characterisation, and contribute to the development of new genomics or serological assays, vaccine effectiveness measurements and antiviral drug resistance tracking.
The post holder will be expected to
- Provide support to Science Group senior managers, including Deputy Directors, on work associated with RSV reference virology, viral genomics and virological surveillance.
- Participate in medical audit and quality improvement and other matters relating to clinical governance.
- Lead the virological investigation of RSV, including detailed characterisation of RSV strains, vaccine effectiveness and antiviral drug resistance.
- Lead the virological investigation of co-infections with RSV and SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses emerging as causes of respiratory infections, including molecular and antigenic characterisation, and contribute to the development of new genomics or serological assays.
- Support the UKHSA's national programme of work related to the development and improvement of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of respiratory virus infections through writing of guidance, advising on national programs and policy, and other activities particularly with reference to RSV.
For further details, please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification.
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
ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Competency based framework.
At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.
You will be required to complete an:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1500 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, referring to the attached Job Description & Person Specification.
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 be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications, we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, you may be offered a remote interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 7th December 2026, please note these dates are subject to change.
This vacancy is being assessed using Competency based framework. During the interview we will assess against the below:
Knowledge, Experience,Behaviours,Skills and Abilities
You will be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. This will be based on the essential criteria. The specific subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview; slides will be permitted.
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 will be homebased.
Salary InformationIf 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
Consultant (GMC) - £113,565 - £150,569 (plus London weighting £2,162 if applicable).
The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview).
Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC.
Additional Information
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a Basic DBS.
Successful candidates must also meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance check.
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 Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance check.
Eligibility to work in the Civil Service:
To take up a role in UKHSA you must fall within the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Please see below for a link to more information on this: Civil Service recruitment: nationality rules - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- In line with legislation, inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice at the point of application.
- If included in the GMC Specialist Register in a specialty other than public health medicine/dental public health, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice.
- Any public health speciality registrar applicants who are currently on the UK public health training programme and not yet on either the GMC specialist register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry to a register at the date of interview Applicants going through the portfolio registration routes (GMC) are not eligible to be shortlisted for interview until they are included on the register. The six-month rule does not apply to these portfolio route applicants.
- If an applicant is UK trained in Public Health, they must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. If an applicant is non-UK trained, they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT.
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body.
- Relevant PhD/MD in virology.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Training and experience in clinical virology, with relevant specialist experience of and expertise in influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses.
- Public health experience, including working with other agencies, emergency planning, writing and formulating public health guidance.
- Experience of working at regional, national or international level in a multi-stakeholder environment.
- Evidence and experience in staff management and training of both medical and non-medical staff.
- Demonstrates use of evidence-based practice
Desirable
- Research experience, presentations, publications, prizes and honours
Skills/Capabilities/Requirements
Essential
- Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate; ability to organise self and own work and to prioritise clinical need, and to show awareness of their own limitations.
- Decisiveness/ accountability (ability to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions, exert appropriate authority).
- Interpersonal skills (see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others).
- Flexibility (able to change and adapt, respond to rapidly changing circumstances)
- Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do.
- Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients.
- Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others.
- Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation.
- Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same.
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
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
Homebased
E14 4PU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)