Job Description

Details

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Reference number

437229

Salary

44,148 - 50,121
Please note: 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.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

2 years

Type of role

Health Professionals

Working pattern

Full-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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Chilton (Didcot)

About the job

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Job summary

Undertake highly specialized scientific work for a sentinel surveillance programme of monitoring drugs of misuse in UK.

Communication and key working relationships

Internal

Team Lead (Grade 6), Programme Lead in Analytical Toxicology and other members of the programme in analytical toxicology.


Other members of Toxicology Department staff and Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards staff involved in the development and operation of the department's laboratory facilities, including Head of Department.


Other members of Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards staff, including undertaking emergency response roles.


Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards and wider UKHSA staff with Health and Safety responsibilities.


Other members of Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards and wider UKHSA staff including contracts, purchasing, admin, HR, H&S

External

Scientists from collaborating institutes both conducting experimental work at the facility and in relation to the development and planning of experimental work programmes.


Scientists from other institutes working in this and related areas (both UK and overseas).

Staff from relevant Government Departments to discuss research and policy related areas especially the project sponsors.

Contractors/Suppliers working on the building, servicing and maintaining equipment, discussing requirements, training providers etc.


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

Job description

Main duties of the job

The post holder will take a key role in developing and conducting the surveillance study. This will include the following:

Contribute to the long-term planning and development of the surveillance programme. Contribute to and take responsibility for specific aspects of the design, development and operation of the laboratories, including the analyses of drugs of misuse, drug adulterants, and drug metabolites by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry techniques in biological/environmental samples. Design, execute and undertake Targeted and untargeted analyses of drugs of misuse in biological and environmental samples to support sentinel surveillance. Design, execute and undertake quantitative and qualitative analyses of drugs of misuse in biological/environmental samples to support UKHSA response to critical incidents. Contribute to the management of the surveillance programme including planning sample deliveries, experimental design, method development and improvement and data analysis including suspect screening. Collaborate with internal and external scientists in the development of proposals for funding and the development of programmes for experimental work. Produce sound scientific papers for external peer reviewed publication and give presentations to audiences at different levels of scientific understanding including national and international conferences. Assist in the supervision of internal junior staff and visitors from collaborating organisations (e.g. MSc, PhD students from academic institutes) Undertake specific development tasks for the Programme Leader (e.g. Health and Safety responsibilities, writing standard operating procedures and relevant COSHH risk assessments)

Other

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 be required by your line manager.

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Role Criteria and Other Requirements

Essential role criteria:

MSc in a relevant science subject (e.g. Toxicology, Forensics, Chemistry) or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in Toxicology, Forensics, Chemistry.

Honours degree in an appropriate science subject (e.g. Analytical chemistry) or equivalent experience in Analytical Chemistry and Mass spectrometry.

Practical experience of mass spectrometry (MS) techniques including Liquid Chromatography-MS and Gas Chromatography-MS including method development and validation.

General laboratory skills and experimental design skills (e.g. capable of working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements, technical competence in taking measurements coupled with good numeracy and experience with statistical analysis of experimental results)

Presenting information effectively (communicating) at all levels, formally and informally and orally and in writing. Ability to (a) assess complex/novel situations and applications by applying fundamental scientific principles and (b) gather, interpret and critically assess complex information relevant to assessing the quantitation of chemicals and other environmental contaminants. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable:

Experience in writing scientific papers for peer reviewed journals

Experience of presenting research findings at national/international conferences

Experience of sample preparation techniques including solid-phase extraction (SPE) and SP microextraction.

Experience or aptitude with the analysis of big data from mass spectrometry or other omics methods.

Practically based PhD or equivalent experience in Analytical Chemistry and mass spectrometry.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes 12,789 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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

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

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) Up to 1,000 words Supporting statement.

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


The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.


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.

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

The following will be taken through the next stage: Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting

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

Practical experience of mass spectrometry (MS) techniques including Liquid Chromatography-MS and Gas Chromatography-MS including method development and validation.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.


Please do not exceed 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview in relation to the bolded essential and desirable criteria.


You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10-minute presentation at the start of your interview, aimed to assess your technical skills and abilities in regard to essential and desirable criteria. The

subject of this will be: Your application of mass spectrometry techniques.

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 hybrid working based at our lab in Chilton (Didcot - Oxford). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).


If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism vetting security 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

DBS Requirement:

Basic DBS

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.


The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Eligibility Criteria - External

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/

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.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Link below:


Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service 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.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers



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

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 : Tim Marczylo Email : tim.marczylo@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk


http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7574201