# Director of Public Health Microbiology > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for UK Health Security Agency. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/director-of-public-health-microbiology/59891e54-c0f9-40d2-a9f0-1d1f49bb2743 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/director-of-public-health-microbiology/59891e54-c0f9-40d2-a9f0-1d1f49bb2743.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:** 2026-06-24T15:05:03.970Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/K9919-26-0200?employerCode=K9919 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8087620?FromJobsNHS=1&ShowJobAdvert= ## Job Content ### Job summary The Director of Public Health Microbiology provides national leadership for UKHSA's microbiology and laboratory-based infectious disease science, ensuring high-quality diagnostics, surveillance and expertise that underpin the Agency's mission to protect health and strengthen national health security. The role is accountable for both the National Reference Laboratories and the four Clinical Network Laboratories, covering microbiology services in bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology as well as associated laboratory technologies. ### Main duties of the job The Director ensures the Public Health Microbiology network delivers safe, resilient and efficient services, maintaining day-to-day operations while generating surge capacity for public health incidents. They lead modernisation of laboratory systems, drive scientific and operational excellence, and ensure that UKHSA meets its domestic and international commitments, including designated collaborating centres and specialist functions. The postholder oversees reference services, clinical network laboratories, diagnostic pathogen characterisation, and quality and regulatory assurance. They work closely with the Director of Health Security Scientific Research to align scientific strategy, integrate laboratory services and uphold national and international standards. Together, they foster strong partnerships with government, the NHS, academia and industry, build workforce capability and contribute to timely, accurate and high-quality microbiological testing, surveillance and innovation across UKHSA. ### 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-300265-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 Public Health Microbiology Directorate, setting strategic priorities within UKHSAs framework and leading change, succession planning, and organisational resilience. Laboratory Transformation: Modernise UKHSAs laboratory network by implementing advanced technologies, digital systems, and new service delivery models that improve efficiency and resilience, and work with NHS and academic partners to enable scalable surge capacity. Scientific & Laboratory Excellence: Ensure validated testing, international accreditation, strong clinical governance and statutory compliance, while promoting high-quality research, innovation, and national and international collaboration. Scientific Innovation: Oversee diagnostic development programmes, in partnership with public sector and commercial partners. Workforce Development: Build and maintain a skilled, safe and motivated workforce through recruitment, retention, training and career development, ensuring robust health and safety standards. Partnerships & Engagement: Strengthen collaborations with NHS, academia, industry and global health bodies, supporting commissioned services and UKHSAs international commitments. Governance & Performance: Lead quality systems, data reporting and business continuity, ensuring efficient, timely and cost-effective delivery. Finance & Operations: Act as budget holder, responsible for financial oversight, resource allocation, and continuous operational improvement. Culture & Capability: Drive cultural change, innovation and continuous improvement, developing multidisciplinary capability, and strong leadership pipelines.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 & SiftAt 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 The Director of Public Health Microbiology provides national leadership for UKHSA's microbiology and laboratory-based infectious disease science, ensuring high-quality diagnostics, surveillance and expertise that underpin the Agency's mission to protect health and strengthen national health security. The role is accountable for both the National Reference Laboratories and the four Clinical Network Laboratories, covering microbiology services in bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology as well as associated laboratory technologies. ## Job Description The Director ensures the Public Health Microbiology network delivers safe, resilient and efficient services, maintaining day-to-day operations while generating surge capacity for public health incidents. They lead modernisation of laboratory systems, drive scientific and operational excellence, and ensure that UKHSA meets its domestic and international commitments, including designated collaborating centres and specialist functions. The postholder oversees reference services, clinical network laboratories, diagnostic pathogen characterisation, and quality and regulatory assurance. They work closely with the Director of Health Security Scientific Research to align scientific strategy, integrate laboratory services and uphold national and international standards. Together, they foster strong partnerships with government, the NHS, academia and industry, build workforce capability and contribute to timely, accurate and high-quality microbiological testing, surveillance and innovation across UKHSA. ## Responsibilities Key responsibilities will include: Leadership & Strategy: Provide overall direction and accountability for the Public Health Microbiology Directorate, setting strategic priorities within UKHSAs framework and leading change, succession planning, and organisational resilience. Laboratory Transformation: Modernise UKHSAs laboratory network by implementing advanced technologies, digital systems, and new service delivery models that improve efficiency and resilience, and work with NHS and academic partners to enable scalable surge capacity. Scientific & Laboratory Excellence: Ensure validated testing, international accreditation, strong clinical governance and statutory compliance, while promoting high-quality research, innovation, and national and international collaboration. Scientific Innovation: Oversee diagnostic development programmes, in partnership with public sector and commercial partners. Workforce Development: Build and maintain a skilled, safe and motivated workforce through recruitment, retention, training and career development, ensuring robust health and safety standards. Partnerships & Engagement: Strengthen collaborations with NHS, academia, industry and global health bodies, supporting commissioned services and UKHSAs international commitments. Governance & Performance: Lead quality systems, data reporting and business continuity, ensuring efficient, timely and cost-effective delivery. Finance & Operations: Act as budget holder, responsible for financial oversight, resource allocation, and continuous operational improvement. Culture & Capability: Drive cultural change, innovation and continuous improvement, developing multidisciplinary capability, and strong leadership pipelines.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 & SiftAt 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:2969715) - [Candidate Pack.pdf (PDF, 723 KB)](document:2969714) ## 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.