About this role
Job summary
This post is positioned within the Culture Collections Unit on the Porton Down site. Culture Collections provides authenticated biological resources (bacteria, viruses, fungi and cell cultures) and associated services to the biomedical research and diagnostic communities. It is essential that incoming cultures (new accessions) and the data associated with all the Culture Collections biological resources are relevant for emerging diseases and technologies.
The post forms part of the wider European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC), Human Genetic Services (HGS) and Quality Control (QC) teams which focuses on procuring new human and animal cell lines and includes the maintenance and supply of these for public health research and diagnostic testing.
The HGS operation provides a range of products and services to life science researchers. These include the extraction of DNA from cell lines and blood,preparation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from blood and generation of new cell lines by Epstein Barr virus transformation. The QC team performs product testing prior to release including molecular and microbiological method
Please note that we are currently recruiting for two positions - one permanent and one 18-month fixed term contract.
Main duties of the job
To play a main role in the cell culture team offering an efficient service for both internal and external customers. Maintain the stocks of all the cell lines deposited within Culture Collections. Support efficient working in the ECACC laboratories, adhering to safe working practices at all times. Supporting the existing quality control (QC), authentication and characterization processes for cell cultures. This may involve the development of new assays to improve authentication and characterization of cell lines within the collection.
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 under represented 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
The main responsibilities will include:
Processing of human whole blood to isolate PBLs, serum and DNA for customer orders and projects Generation of DNA for catalogue DNA orders and bespoke customer orders Work with the HGS supervisor to ensure all HGS samples are receipted, processed, stored, dispatched and disposed of in accordance with the regulations of the Human Tissue Act Perform cell culture and analysis of cell lines and derived products using a range of methods/assays/techniques in accordance with set protocols andstandard operating procedures (SOPs) Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area Maintain databases and the accurate recording of results Liaise professionally with internal and external customers to manage the supply of cells Act as laboratory supervisor for specific ECACC labs Work within the ECACC QC and/or HGS operations Liaise with the wider ECACC team to participate in the continuous improvement of cell line characterisation and cell line function Liaise with the wider ECACC team to participate in the continuous improvement of quality operations within the department Instigate failure investigations identified within the ECACC operation, recommending and carrying out appropriate corrective actions as required Work within ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 (where required) Quality Systems and have continuous interaction with the QA team to matters related to this Able to work safely in a laboratory environment Achieve and maintain Health and Safety competency as a laboratory supervisor, in line with UKHSA policies and guidance Work within UKHSA and laboratory policies, codes of practice and guidelines Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures and maintain up to date training records Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Perform any other duties required by the line manager in line with the grade Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individualdevelopment 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 This is not an exhaustive list.
Essential criteria
Educated to degree level in a relevant life science subject; or equivalent qualification; or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area Knowledge and practical experience of working in a cell culture or microbiology laboratory showing confidence in working using aseptic techniques Good understanding and experience of safe laboratory working practices Cell culture experience with demonstrable examples of work (including stem cells) Good communication skills Self-motivating, organized, meticulous Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently Willing to undertake further training and able to train other staff Basic Microbiology techniques Ability to work on own initiative and organize own workload without supervision, working to deadlines Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of services An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships Please note that for roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed13 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:
Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 500 wordsupporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledgeprovide 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 than500 words. We will not consider any words over500words.
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 Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
Knowledge and practical experience of working in a cell culture or microbiology laboratory showing confidence in working using aseptic techniques Good understanding and experience of safe laboratory working practices Educated to degree level in a relevant life science subject; or equivalent qualification; or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area 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 Porton Down. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
Delivering at Pace (Lead interview) Working Together Communication and Influencing Interviews dates are 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 lab based at UKHSA Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.
Eligibility criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security clearance level requirement
Part 1
Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.
Part 2
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check 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 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (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.
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.
For Fixed term posts
For Temporary Appointments,if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSAs Pay policy.
Person Specification
Application form and supporting statement Essential
Application form and supporting statement
Behaviours Essential
Delivering at Pace Communication and Influencing Working Together
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
UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury
SP4 0JG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)