Job Description

Details

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Reference number

437643

Salary

33,422 - 40,731
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Fixed term

Loan

Secondment

Length of employment

18 months from start date

Business area

Molecular Biology, Science, Virology, Cell Culture

Type of role

Science

Other

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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This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton, Wiltshire.




Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

About the job

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Job summary

To provide cell culture and biobanking expertise in a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific, technical and training activities within the ECACC team.


The Culture Collections Department operates a Biological Resource Centre that procures, maintains and supplies cultured human and animal cells and microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) for public health research and diagnostic testing. Based primarily at Microbiology Services - Porton, the Culture Collections Department has approximately 80 staff, performing a wide range of activities. The European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) has more than 2000 authenticated cell lines, runs an extensive cell biobank and provides EBV transformation services.

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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.

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

Job description

Plan, implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the operation of ECACC to ensure ECACC Production and quality control targets are met Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the ECACC project area Assist the ECACC team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that all activities operate to a high scientific standard using current methods Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the ECACC as required Provide reports through the interpretation and analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet ECACC targets and for preparation of presentations and publications Support and participate in external training courses provided by ECACC Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site Maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard 'Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety' (NOS HSS1) Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

Educated to degree level in a Life Sciences subject. Post-graduate experience in Cell Culture, QRT PCR and Gene Expression Analysis. Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for project Good understanding and experience of safe working practices 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

Desirable criteria:

Experience of having worked within a regulated environment. (e.g. ISO9001) Breadth of experience covering all aspects of post requirements Experience of lab supervision

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes 9,682 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, Experience, Technical Skills and Strengths.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 5 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1000 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.


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

Those falling into the 'Meets

all

essential criteria' pile will progress to shortlisting.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Shortlisting:

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

Educated to degree level in a Life Sciences subject Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for project

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 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profiles

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


Behaviours, Technical Skills and Strengths will be tested at interview.


You will be expected to prepare and present a 5 to 10 minute presentation during the interview. This will be based on:

The establishment of a cell culture based gene expression workflow using QRT PCR.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Delivering at pace

(Lead behaviour)

Working together Manging a quality service Communicating and influencing

You will also be asked strength based questions.


Interviews dates are yet 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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


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 UKHSA's Pay policy.

Salary

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.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton, Wiltshire.


Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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 Counter-terrorist Check.


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. 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 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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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 : Carmelita Goodwin Email : Carmelita.Goodwin@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