Job Description

Details

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Reference number

416007
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Salary

44,852 - 50,472
Per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Senior Executive Officer###

Contract type

Fixed term###

Length of employment

Fixed term contract - 12 months from start date###

Type of role

Science###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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London, London (region), NW9 5EQ

About the job

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Job summary

The pathogen genomics scientist will provide technical and scientific expertise, bringing knowhow of transitioning applications from R&D to implemented services or products. The post holder will work closely with the Pathogen Genomics Scientific Lead and wider scientific teams. Support the development and implementation of genomics services related to wastewater monitoring and surveillance of human pathogens.


This post will work cross departmentally, between Science and The Chief Data Officer Group (CDO) with colleagues across UKHSA and wider, comprising a large diverse community of genomic scientists, microbiology specialists, bioinformaticians, data analysts, modellers, epidemiologists and other experts. This is a unique opportunity to work at the interface between cutting edge genomics and data analysis. Supporting our ambitions to create a nationwide scale wastewater monitoring and surveillance capability, working with several collaborators across UKHSA, government and academia. Working together, this exciting programme will be at the forefront of translational innovation, developing new genomic capabilities for wastewater monitoring and surveillance of human pathogens.


The post holder will work with colleagues who are based across the country at different sites and/or who work remotely.


The post holder will:

Have a good understanding of genomics and molecular biology for the study of infectious diseases and ideally some bioinformatics experience, specifically within Genomics. Have excellent genomics knowhow and hands on experience in the diversity of genome sequencing approaches. Have great communication skills and will be required to train others, engage with users, and share knowhow. Support the review, validation of new genomic services, end to end and collaborate with scientists across these areas. Have a strong understanding of the relevant technologies, applications and limitations or strengths of, for pathogen genomics will be important.

They postholder will help drive the development of new wastewater, genomic driven capabilities, in particular rapid targeted sequencing and metagenomic methodologies for a diversity of pathogens, across our suites of Illumina and ONT platforms. We are seeking a dynamic, applied research genomics scientist, who has a R&D and implementation expertise, someone who is proactive, keen to translate genomic R&D to new genomic services across our network of laboratories. A key aim will be the acceleration of development to implementation of new genomic capabilities, aligned with our genomics strategy and stakeholder needs, across our national network of laboratories. This includes the development and evaluation of new genomic methods, optimise current workflows, supporting service development and horizon scanning.

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Job description

This is a collaborative, hands on role, supporting the modernisation of genomic technologies and workflows for wastewater. The post holder will:

Bridge research, development, and innovation with practicable implemented solutions pathogen genomic applications. Create and demonstrate a new nationwide in scale pathogen genomic wastewater capability. Develop genomic workflows, ensuring they are cheap, fast, more accurate and more accessible. Support development and optimisation of laboratory Pathogen Genomics waste water services, providing high quality analyses that meet clinical and scientific requirements and comply with best practice, and are safe, economical, and effective. Provide technical and scientific expertise, for the development of new or optimised genomic workflows in support of genomics driven, national scale, wastewater monitoring and surveillance. Work with the Pathogen Genomics Scientific Lead and working with colleagues across the team, UKHSA wide and with external organisation Accelerate R&D, and support implementation of new innovative capabilities for pathogen monitoring and surveillance in wastewater, from development of sample extraction through to end point molecular and genomic assays. Support the Pathogen Genomics Scientific team, developing new or optimising current genomic workflows, for a variety of different pathogens from wastewater. Have a hands-on role, so extensive expertise in wet lab genomic methodologies is critical and ideally bioinformatics knowhow to optimise and troubleshoot real time. Provide expert public health genomics advice and support, underpinned by data driven decision making. Therefore, must be able to analyse and interpret genomics run data, QC and outputs from common bioinformatic tools, to support interpretation and analyses of new methods and troubleshooting. Leverage innovative solutions, have great communication skills, and public health genomics expertise. Be an enabler of knowledge exchange, working with expert and non-expert stakeholders, to bridge R&D with implementation. Support the delivery of our genomics strategy so therefore, must be a highly motivated, solutions focused team player able to work across a diversity of teams and expertise.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

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Person specification

Essential Criteria:

MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological / biological science or equivalent level experience in biological sciences Significant experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR, sequencing and troubleshooting assay Experience in working with clinical samples or diagnostic testing Good record keeping, attention to detail Experience of developing or technology transferring new sequencing targets Experience of programming, developing, and implementing automation in the laboratory Substantive experience of infectious disease diagnostic or research Experience of using high throughput sequencing technologies and related sample preparation Ability to work in a team and individually to deadlines Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Willing to undertake the necessary vaccinations and security clearance Able to participate in surge/outbreak cover situations as required

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 44,852, UK Health Security Agency contributes 12,993 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) Up to 1250-word supporting statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.


The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting

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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

Meets all and Meets Some essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

Significant experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR, sequencing and troubleshooting assay

Please do not exceed

1250 words.

We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.


Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.


Behaviours, technical, experience, ability and strengths will be tested at interview.


The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

Developing Self and Others (lead) Working at Pace Communicating and Influencing Working Together

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 being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.


If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check 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 as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.


To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you.


An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.


This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.


If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:


Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.


You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

Organisation info

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

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant's personal details - name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

International Police check:

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
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Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Harry McCullagh Email : harry.mccullagh@ukhsa.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk ###

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.