About this role
Job summary
The Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) is a National Reference Laboratory and provides specialist and reference services for a specific range of hazard group 2 and 3 gastrointestinal and foodborne bacterial pathogens notably Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, C. botulinum, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella Shigella, Yersinia and Vibrio species.
GBRU works at local, regional, national and international levels to reduce the impact of food, water and environmentally borne illnesses on people's health. Activities include provision of bacterial typing services to assist national surveillance, the detection and investigation of outbreaks and specialist microbiological services for the examination of clinical, food, water and environmental samples.
Currently, a combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods is used to detect, identify and type bacterial isolates and this increasingly involves the use of whole genome sequencing. We are streamlining workflows for different pathogens across the unit to facilitate implementation of new technology whilst maintaining the capability to perform standard reference methods.
GBRU has a high priority in ensuring the safe running of laboratory services and the safety of all staff.
Main duties of the job
- To provide technical support within the Unit in ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the Section; this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of foodborne bacterial isolates and clinical and environment specimens.
- To work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system.
- To participate in research and development activities within GBRU.
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
- Service Delivery
- To receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory
- To assist in the provision of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory duties, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- To undertake DNA-based detection and typing for a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents, of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms and to general investigations of illness as appropriate
- Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to the unit that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work
- To provide technical support to GBRU Reference Services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements
- Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance is carried out following adequate training and competency assessment
- Responsible for stock control of the Unit, ensuring sufficient stock levels are maintained for service provision
- To carry out performance checks on equipment
- Quality management
- To ensure all quality procedures are followed and adhered to within the laboratory and highlight to the senior staff or Lead Quality Manager any non-compliances as required.
- Contribute to internal and external audit programmes
- Ensure compliance with UKAS & ISO 15189 and other accreditation and certification standards.
- Take every opportunity to suggest quality improvements
- Management
- Able to make decisions within defined limits of existing policy and operational process in conjunction with best practice and guidance from more senior staff and the lead Technical Laboratory Manager.
- Strategy, Policy and Service Development
- To support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
- IT infrastructure
- To be competent in the use of the laboratorys IT systems and provide data to more senior staff as appropriate.
- Security, Health & Safety
- In collaboration with the lab safety officer and complying with safety policies and procedures:
- To ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirement of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the laboratory Information Systems and Technology Security policy.
- To ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
- To ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health & Safety training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
- To agree to implement and follow safety objectives.
- To ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained.
- To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
- Professional Development
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Key Working Relationships The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
- Internal
- Laboratory Management team
- Laboratory staff across BRD
- Other laboratory staff throughout the MS division and UKHSA
- External
- Laboratory Management team
- Laboratory staff across BRD
This is not an exhaustive list of duties.
Essential criteria
- Educated to A level, T level or NVQ Level 3 standard (or equivalent) in a Science subject, with Level 3 being the maximum qualification level sought for this role.
- Experience in working in a CL2 laboratory including the use of bacteriology or molecular techniques
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
- Well-developed physical skills, especially in the manipulation of pipettes and other laboratory equipment
- Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, maintaining professional and collaborative working relationships
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Selection process
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:
- an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- a 1000wordsupporting 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.
HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over1000 words.
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 Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Educated to A level, T level or NVQ Level 3 standard (or equivalent) in a Science , with Level 3 being the maximum qualification level sought for this role.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview in Colindale. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 7th December 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
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 lab based at in Colindale. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.
When based at a lab, you will be required to have a CTC security vetting check as a minimum. 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 to obtain CTC clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Eligibility criteria
This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.
Security clearance level requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) 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) clearance.
Salary information
The salary will include a Market Pay Supplement to bring minimum to £32,578 (to be reviewed March 2027).
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.
Person Specification
Application form and supporting statement
Essential
- Application form and supporting statement
Essential criteria
Essential
- Questions on knowledge, experience, skills & abilities
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, London
NW9 5EQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)