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Research Scientist
UK Health Security Agency
·
3.4
Porton
£33,422 - £40,731 a year
Fixed term contract, Part-time, Full-time

Job details

£33,422 - £40,731 a year
Pay rise, Company pension
Fixed term contract, Part-time, Full-time
Porton

Full job description

Details

Reference number

440405

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

Length of employment

12-months fixed-term contract from start date

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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

Location

Porton

About the job

Job summary

The Diagnostics and Pathogen Characterisation (DPC) Division is based at Porton and has approximately 150 staff, focusing on key initial steps in the control of infections, namely pathogen identification, characterisation, and development of diagnostics. The Virology and Pathogenesis and Pathogen Characterisation (VPPC) group sits in the DPC Division within Chief Scientific Officer Group. VPPC’s work focuses on arboviruses, viral haemorrhagic fevers and other emerging zoonotic viruses which cause infections in humans and pose a significant risk to public health. The group’s activity corresponds with the institute’s status as a WHO Collaborating Centre for virus research and reference (special pathogens) and ranges from the development of diagnostics and surveillance through to the assessment of interventions and vaccines. As such multiple international links and networks are part of its remit.

An exciting opportunity is currently available within the Virology and Pathogenesis group where we are seeking to appoint a research scientist within our Pathogen Inactivation capability. This post will support the development of our X-ray irradiation inactivation methodologies, which are harnessed to inactivate a range of high consequence pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, Zika and MPox. We are a dynamic team whose work involves both responding to outbreaks threatening public health systems but also innovative research projects, involving utilisation of both X-ray irradiation and virology techniques. The successful candidate will support the development of our commercial capability, producing irradiated material to contract.

Job description

  • Supporting X-ray inactivation capability, involving optimising X-ray irradiation methodologies, inactivating pathogens and performing downstream inactivation assurance testing in line with group and organisational needs
  • Involvement in a range of internally and externally funded research projects associated with X-ray irradiation of pathogens
  • Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met
  • Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area
  • Work to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods
  • Maintenance of thorough laboratory records including X-ray irradiation records and laboratory notebooks
  • Provision of competent data analysis using appropriate software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of reports, presentations, posters and peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication
  • Laboratory supervision, ensuring appropriate equipment and other resources are made available and maintained, staff are suitably inducted and following safe laboratory practices and legislation related to the work is complied with
  • To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
  • Undertake work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems
  • To maintain health and safety competence
  • To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code
  • To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
  • 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
  • The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and UKHSA

It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

  • BSc in an appropriate virology/molecular biology sciences field
  • Laboratory experience and knowledge of cell and virus culture techniques, including maintaining and seeding cells for experiment and virus titration assays
  • Laboratory experience and knowledge of performing molecular techniques such as RNA extractions and qRT-PCR
  • Good record keeping and attention to detail
  • Evidence of success in efficient and effective project planning

Desirable role criteria:

  • Experience of working at containment level 3

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

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%

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

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 5 essential criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 750 word Statement of Suitability

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

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.

The application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

We will take pile "Meets all essential criteria" through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large amount of applications, we will sift on:

• Laboratory experience and knowledge of cell and virus culture techniques, including maintaining and seeding cells for experiment and virus titration assays.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

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

Interviews will be held week commencing TBC on QC please note these dates are subject to change.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:

Behaviours:

• Delivering at pace
• Working together
• Making effective decisions
• Communicating and influencing

Previous Skills and Experience

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

Additional Information

Eligibility Criteria

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

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

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.

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.

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: 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

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

Job contact :

  • Name : Tom Geldeard
  • Email : Tom.Geldeard@ukhsa.gov.uk

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
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