Job Description

Details

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Reference number

434527

Salary

56,185 - 66,581
Per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support

Project Delivery

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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Porton

About the job

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Job summary

The Countermeasures Development, Evaluation, and Preparedness Division (CDEP), along with other divisions within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate, provide the laboratory-based capability for UKHSA's Countermeasures Development, Evaluation, and Preparedness Division (CDEP). This role provides specialist, scientific leadership to activities within CDEP's Pre-Clinical Evaluation Team, and across CDEP and other divisions as required.


We are seeking a talented and experienced scientist who will take part in and lead projects to develop and use pre-clinical models. These models range from established and newly developed in vivo systems to novel methods that seek to replace animal use. The successful candidate will work closely with the Scientific Leads and Head of Department to ensure group and organisational strategy are satisfied. They will also be required to work closely with other Senior Project Team Leaders to develop the capability across the Pre-Clinical Evaluation Team.


The postholder will have a relevant PhD (or equivalent and/or experience) in cell biology, in vivo modelling, virology, bacteriology or immunology. They will demonstrate the ability to develop and undertake a broad range of virological and immunological techniques that support the characterisation of pre-clinical models of disease.


We are currently recruiting for 1 post with the potential for further posts becoming available in the near future.

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Working for your organisation

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

Lead the management and development of pre-clinical models or other relevant projects (e.g. immunology, virology, bacteriology-based) projects to ensure targets are met. Lead and develop capacity building collaborations to ensure project targets are met, working with the Scientific Lead to maintain the engagement of stakeholders. Lead on other externally funded projects as assigned, meeting targets in line with sponsor requirements, engaging with collaborators and networks as required. Identify, bid, and lead on internal and external funding with a focus on pre-clinical models and develop the group in line with departmental objectives. Provide reports and data as required by the Scientific Leads/Head of Department and external stakeholders as required. To build external links with collaborators and similar groups to the benefit the project(s) and/or department To give internal/external presentations, develop, draft, and submit manuscripts on work for peer-reviewed publications. Take lead responsibility for ensuring that junior staff allocated to the projects(s) are adequately supervised and trained. the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project(s). Lead the project team/area to identify, evaluate and adapt new approaches where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods. Provide line and project management as required and indicated by Head of Department and Scientific Leads. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade. To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems. To achieve and maintain own and team's health and safety competence. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential role criteria:

PhD, or equivalent years' experience, in relevant subject e.g., Cell Biology, Immunology, Virology, Bacteriology Experience of working with the development of pre-clinical models, including establishment and subsequent use for intervention testing Experience of working in immunology, including assessment of humoral and cellular responses. Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff. Experience in practical microbiology/virology, especially experience in "wet" techniques (e.g. CFU/PFU assays, isolation of organisms from tissues, culture) Knowledge and experience of practices and principles of working at ADCP containment level 3. Record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals 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 Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme participation/management Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence. Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt, and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis Able to work as part of team and liaise with all levels of staff Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty and change Demonstrate a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable role criteria:

Experience working with primary cells on transwells and/or in organ-on-chip devices Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks. Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action Skills for troubleshooting data analysis pipelines

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes 16,276 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 and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (17) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1500 word 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.

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 to the next stage:

Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

Experience of working with the development of pre-clinical models, including establishment and subsequent use for intervention testing Experience of working in immunology, including assessment of humoral and cellular responses. Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff. Experience in practical microbiology/virology, especially experience in "wet" techniques (e.g. CFU/PFU assays, isolation of organisms from tissues, culture)

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.


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


Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.


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.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at Porton. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.


The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Seeing the bigger picture Making Effective Decisions Leadership Communicating and Influencing - (Lead behaviour)

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria - External

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

Location

This role is an office based role at UKHSA Porton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.


Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the

Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.


Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security 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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. 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.

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 security 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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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 : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : gurkamal.bhambra@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