Technician Scientist

Job overview

The Research and Evaluation department based at UKHSA Porton performs a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases.

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) at UKHSA Porton provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever viruses (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service.

The Diagnostic Development and Implementation Team work closely with both RIPL and research and evaluation departments and is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and developing high-quality diagnostic assays, and overseeing their successful implementation into RIPL and across UKHSA/NHS, to support robust public health diagnostics. Successful applicants will join the Diagnostic Development and Implementation Team as a Technical Scientist, contributing their serological and molecular expertise to drive high quality scientific and technical project delivery.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder will contribute to the delivery of diagnostic development, evaluation and implementation projects in line with departmental scientific strategy. The role requires flexibility in responding to changing project demands, effective communication and the application of technical expertise to deliver high quality outputs. The post holder will apply molecular, serological and antigen-based techniques to support diagnostic development and evaluation projects. This will contribute to the delivery of new, improved and refined diagnostic methods for use within UKHSA. The role involves hands-on laboratory working with clinical and non-clinical samples, including materials associated with ACDP Hazard Group 2, 3 and 4 pathogens, in accordance with approved safety, containment and quality requirements.
• Working under the direction of the senior scientists, the post holder will support the identification, evaluation and adaptation of diagnostic technologies, ensuring work is conducted to a high scientific standard and in order meet team and department scientific objectives and participate in the maintenance of the laboratories, stocks and equipment.
• The post holder will contribute to surge capacity activities during outbreak responses as required and will ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with UKHSA safety practices, quality systems, policies and procedures, maintaining personal health and safety competence.

Continues below

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Assist in the development, evaluation and implementation for a range of molecular, serological and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
• Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Ensure data produced is of a high scientific standard ready to be utilised in project reports and presentations.
• Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To maintain health and safety competence
• Notifying any accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
• Comply with waste disposal protocols
• Maintain a clean, safe and tidy working environment
• Perform stock control procedures for reagent and consumable stocks within the laboratory
• Operate, maintain and clean a range of laboratory equipment safely, e.g. centrifuges, balances, microbiology safety cabinets, and pipettes
• If required, act as laboratory supervisor for specific area ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated and relevant documentation is available and up to data
• Assist with the supervision and training of junior and new staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

This list not exhaustive.

Essential Criteria

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science/Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience of working in a laboratory.
• Knowledge and experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
• Prior experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens including such techniques as culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation, or work with clinical samples and diagnostic testing.
• Demonstrates experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; GLP, ISO 15189)
• Willing to undergo vaccinations where required and partake in surge response team for RIPL
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
• Demonstrates attention to detail and an interest improving the quality of diagnostic testing.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests
• Experience in working at ACDP CL3
• Participate in RIPL on-call team

Selection Process Details

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

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You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 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 you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

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

If used, the pile(s that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science/Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience of working in a laboratory.
• Knowledge and experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

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You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our Scientific Campus in Porton

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours and Technical skills will be tested at interview in the form of questions.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Lead Behaviour - Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

Interview dates are 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

External - This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Porton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check

When based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of 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. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.