# Director of Health Security Scientific Research > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for UK Health Security Agency. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/director-of-health-security-scientific-research/2cf4702d-e7e5-4c03-b733-e195813e0005 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/director-of-health-security-scientific-research/2cf4702d-e7e5-4c03-b733-e195813e0005.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** UK Health Security Agency - **Town:** Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf) - **Region:** London - **Country:** United Kingdom - **Profession:** Manager and corporate - **Salary:** £100,000 to £162,500 a year - **Contract type:** Permanent - **Employment type:** Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working - **Closing date:** 2026-07-16T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-06-24T15:08:04.110Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/K9919-26-0201?employerCode=K9919 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8088722?FromJobsNHS=1&ShowJobAdvert= ## Job Content ### Job summary This is a high profile, challenging and rewarding leadership role at UKHSA with the ability to make a significant impact on the organisation's future direction. The Director of Health Security Scientific Research provides national leadership for UKHSA's research portfolio, ensuring that scientific activity across the organisation is high-quality, ethically governed, strategically aligned and impactful. ### Main duties of the job The role leads UKHSA's teams delivering specialist laboratory capabilities as well as behavioural science, evaluation and epidemiology. The Director is accountable for high-hazard infectious disease work and vaccine-related research, for the scientific performance of key laboratory research teams, and for the safe and effective operation of specialist facilities, including our extensive high-containment infrastructure. They lead the organisation's research governance, manage relationships with research funders, and ensure strong systems for research information, visibility and communication. The Director also oversees the knowledge and library service, ensuring rapid access to evidence across UKHSA, and works closely with the external research community including the Health Protection Research Units. Working with fellow directors in the Chief Scientific Officer group, they shape research strategy, integrate scientific services, strengthen partnerships, build workforce capability and lead the development of research capacity that supports UKHSA's public health mission. ### About us 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 ### Details - Date posted: 24 June 2026 - Pay scheme: Other - Salary: £100,000 to £162,500 a year Per annum, pro rata - Contract: Permanent - Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working - Reference number: 919-CP-2853-EXT - Job locations: Core HQ or Scientific Campus, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, E14 4PU, United Kingdom ### Job responsibilities Key responsibilities will include: Leadership & Strategy: Provide overall direction and accountability for the Directorate, setting strategic priorities within UKHSAs framework and leading change, succession planning, and resilience. Scientific & Laboratory Excellence: Ensure all scientific and research activity is internationally leading and delivered with the highest standards of research, integrity, ethics, clinical governance, and statutory compliance, including maintaining relevant accreditation and validation. Workforce Development: Build and sustain a skilled, safe, and motivated workforce through recruitment, retention, training and career development, ensuring health and safety standards remain paramount. Partnerships & Engagement: Strengthen collaborations with NHS, academia, industry, and global health organisations, delivering UKHSAs international commitments and supporting commissioned services. Governance & Performance: Oversee quality systems, data reporting, and business continuity, ensuring outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of efficiency and effectiveness. Finance & Operations: Act as budget holder, accountable for financial performance, resource allocation, and continuous improvement of directorate operations. Group and Corporate Responsibilities: Play a full and active role in the leadership of CSO Group, the work of the Directors Group across UKHSA and in representing UKHSA across government. Please see candidate pack for more information. External:Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Location:We offer 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, for our workforce to thrive and to maximise our organisational efficiency. 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) working at one of UKHSAs core locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London - Canary Wharf) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton). In exceptional circumstances you may also be based in one of UKHSA supporting hubs, or health protection operation centres. Whilst the role can be based at any site, there will be a need to travel regularly to London and Porton Down. Security clearance:This role requires Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. If not already held, the successful candidate can start the role once Security Check (SC) clearance has been obtained, but continued employment is dependent on obtaining and maintaining DV level clearance which must be initiated within the first 3 months of an agreed start date. 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 10 years as the role requires Developed Vetting (DV) 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. Salary InformationIf 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 scaleminimum 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. Stage 1: Application & Sift At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria within the Person Specification section listed in the candidate pack. You will be required to complete the following: An application form setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements and relevant professional qualifications. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The application form needs the same information as a standard CV. A supporting Statement (up to 1500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: AssessmentsIf you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in an Independent Leadership Assessment (ILA) which will include psychometric tests. An ILA is a 90-minute session with an occupational psychologist aimed at gaining an understanding of your preferred behavioural style in the workplace. The assessment will be informed by online psychometric assessments you will have completed beforehand, the results of which will be explored as a part of the discussion during the session. After the ILA is completed, the assessor will formulate a narrative report which is given to the panel prior to your formal interview. The assessment will take place online between the sift stage and interview. These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panels decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Stage 3: InterviewYou will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Interviews to be held at UK Health Security Agency, 10 South Colonnade, London E14 4PU. Interviews are planned for early September please note these dates are subject to change. During the interview we will assess you against essential criteria. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. ## Job Details This is a high profile, challenging and rewarding leadership role at UKHSA with the ability to make a significant impact on the organisation's future direction. The Director of Health Security Scientific Research provides national leadership for UKHSA's research portfolio, ensuring that scientific activity across the organisation is high-quality, ethically governed, strategically aligned and impactful. ## Job Description The role leads UKHSA's teams delivering specialist laboratory capabilities as well as behavioural science, evaluation and epidemiology. The Director is accountable for high-hazard infectious disease work and vaccine-related research, for the scientific performance of key laboratory research teams, and for the safe and effective operation of specialist facilities, including our extensive high-containment infrastructure. They lead the organisation's research governance, manage relationships with research funders, and ensure strong systems for research information, visibility and communication. The Director also oversees the knowledge and library service, ensuring rapid access to evidence across UKHSA, and works closely with the external research community including the Health Protection Research Units. Working with fellow directors in the Chief Scientific Officer group, they shape research strategy, integrate scientific services, strengthen partnerships, build workforce capability and lead the development of research capacity that supports UKHSA's public health mission. ## Responsibilities Key responsibilities will include: Leadership & Strategy: Provide overall direction and accountability for the Directorate, setting strategic priorities within UKHSAs framework and leading change, succession planning, and resilience. Scientific & Laboratory Excellence: Ensure all scientific and research activity is internationally leading and delivered with the highest standards of research, integrity, ethics, clinical governance, and statutory compliance, including maintaining relevant accreditation and validation. Workforce Development: Build and sustain a skilled, safe, and motivated workforce through recruitment, retention, training and career development, ensuring health and safety standards remain paramount. Partnerships & Engagement: Strengthen collaborations with NHS, academia, industry, and global health organisations, delivering UKHSAs international commitments and supporting commissioned services. Governance & Performance: Oversee quality systems, data reporting, and business continuity, ensuring outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of efficiency and effectiveness. Finance & Operations: Act as budget holder, accountable for financial performance, resource allocation, and continuous improvement of directorate operations. Group and Corporate Responsibilities: Play a full and active role in the leadership of CSO Group, the work of the Directors Group across UKHSA and in representing UKHSA across government. Please see candidate pack for more information. External:Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Location:We offer 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, for our workforce to thrive and to maximise our organisational efficiency. 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) working at one of UKHSAs core locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London - Canary Wharf) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton). In exceptional circumstances you may also be based in one of UKHSA supporting hubs, or health protection operation centres. Whilst the role can be based at any site, there will be a need to travel regularly to London and Porton Down. Security clearance:This role requires Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. If not already held, the successful candidate can start the role once Security Check (SC) clearance has been obtained, but continued employment is dependent on obtaining and maintaining DV level clearance which must be initiated within the first 3 months of an agreed start date. 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 10 years as the role requires Developed Vetting (DV) 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. Salary InformationIf 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 scaleminimum 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. Stage 1: Application & Sift At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria within the Person Specification section listed in the candidate pack. You will be required to complete the following: An application form setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements and relevant professional qualifications. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The application form needs the same information as a standard CV. A supporting Statement (up to 1500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: AssessmentsIf you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in an Independent Leadership Assessment (ILA) which will include psychometric tests. An ILA is a 90-minute session with an occupational psychologist aimed at gaining an understanding of your preferred behavioural style in the workplace. The assessment will be informed by online psychometric assessments you will have completed beforehand, the results of which will be explored as a part of the discussion during the session. After the ILA is completed, the assessor will formulate a narrative report which is given to the panel prior to your formal interview. The assessment will take place online between the sift stage and interview. These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panels decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Stage 3: InterviewYou will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Interviews to be held at UK Health Security Agency, 10 South Colonnade, London E14 4PU. Interviews are planned for early September please note these dates are subject to change. During the interview we will assess you against essential criteria. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. ## Person Specification ### Experience **Essential** - Application form and supporting statement ### Knowledge and experience **Essential** - Essential criteria ## Documents - [Candidate Pack.pdf (PDF, 609 KB)](document:2969731) - [Candidate Pack.pdf (PDF, 721 KB)](document:2969730) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.