Location
Idmiston, South West England, SP4 0JG
About The Job
Job summary
The Pre-clinical Evaluation Unit is a translational research group within the wider Research and Evaluation department at UKHSA Porton Down, investigating high consequence human pathogens.
Research undertaken includes the investigation of organ-on-a-chip technology for modelling human infectious disease and evaluating candidate medical countermeasures, the Pre-clinical Evaluation of countermeasures using in vivo models. It also includes the development of a range of assays to advance the testing of medical countermeasures.
The successful candidate will provide technical virological, cell culture and assay expertise in a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities within the Pre-clinical Evaluation Unit on a range of projects. This post suits a candidate with experience in the relevant laboratory techniques, and a proven capability in critical thinking and problem solving. You will be expected to take a flexible and adaptable approach to the demands of the projects, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to collaborate with lab users from other teams.
The postholder will:
- Have relevant degree and/or experience in virology and/or a biological science in the laboratory environment with the ability to undertake a broad range of standard laboratory techniques and tasks.
- Have good communication skills, good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills.
- Experience working with pathogens at containment level 2 and containment level 3 would be an advantage however full training and support will be given.
Job Description
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Contributing to the development of a range of laboratory methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- Taking responsibility for the provision of laboratory reagents and consumables required for the project and document storage of materials.
- Taking responsibility for laboratory housekeeping and supervision of laboratory maintenance.
- Ensuring that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Ensuring accurate documentation and tracking of samples, data, and laboratory records.
- Providing reports, presentations, and publications through analysis of data, using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
- Taking responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required.
- Performing any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- Ensuring that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and working within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
- Maintaining health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1).
- Fulfilling the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
- Complying with all UKHSA policies and procedures and participate in all mandatory training as required.
- Identifying, discussing, and actioning own professional performance and training / development needs with line manager.
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.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- PhD or BSc/MSc with several years’ experience in biological science/virology subject
- Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for the project including standard microbiology, molecular biology, virology techniques, immunoassays, cell-based assays, cell culture and working at containment level 2/containment level 3.
- Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
- Specialist training/experience in some of specific methods required for the post and their applications e.g., virus isolation & propagation, plaque assay, focus forming assay, RT-qPCR, primary ex vivo and differentiated cell culture, Organ-on-a-Chip systems, virus neutralisation assays, ELISA, immune cell isolation, flow cytometry, ELISpot.
- Clear communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
- Ability to analyse and interpret information and react dynamically to unanticipated or unplanned events.
- Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem solving, critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Excellent team working skills with the ability to understand the importance of team work to achieve overall team goals.
- Ability to work using own initiative and organise own workload without supervision, working to tight and often changing deadlines.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,997, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,269 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
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Technical Experience, Abilities and Strengths.
Stage 1 - Application & Sift:
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 9 essential criteria which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of an:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application
- 1250 word Statement of Suitability
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: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
Piles Meets all essential criteria 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 essential criteria: PhD or BSc/MSc with several years’ experience in biological science/virology subject.
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) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances remote interviews may be offered.
Behaviour's, Technical experience, Abilities and Strengths will be tested at interview.
The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:
- Delivering at Pace (lead)
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
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/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.
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.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates for this role must pass a disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
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.
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 (opens in a new window) . See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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 (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window) .
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .
Apply and further information
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
Job contact :
- Name : Harry McCullagh
- Email :
Recruitment team
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: 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/
