Virology Technician

Job summary

Based between UKHSA Porton and Colindale (London) sites, the High Containment Microbiology (HCM) department undertakes work on the highest categorisation of human and animal pathogens, those at ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) and SAPO (Specified Animal Pathogens Order) Hazard Group 4, to support UK and international clinical and research needs. The main roles of the department are to:

• Deliver efficient effective co-ordination of response to disease outbreaks by high consequence pathogens
• To ensure the provision of trained and competent staff to work at high containment for the UK clinical and public health need
• To develop and implement a scientific strategy to keep the area at the cutting edge of scientific and technological advances for working with high consequence pathogens
• To conduct research and development activities for ACDP4 and SAPO4 pathogens

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work as part of a small team to provide key cell culture expertise and laboratory support for a wide range of diagnostic virology, assay development and research activities at Containment Levels 2, 3 and 4 (CL2, CL3 and CL4), to support the UK response to disease outbreaks caused by high consequence pathogens. The post-holder will be required to fulfil all appropriate training and security clearance requirements.

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: 19 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £32,624 to £37,737 a year Per Annum, Pro Rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
• Reference number: 919-JI-302259-EXT
• Job locations: Scientific Campus, Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To maintain cell cultures, ensuring that they are available for the departments activities as required and that they are prepared to a high standard
• To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that cell cultures are being prepared, recorded and archived to a high standard.
• To assist scientific staff in identifying, evaluating and adapting new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that all activities are undertaken to the highest scientific standards
• Assist in creation of new documentation (standard operating procedures, worksheets, inventories etc.) or updating of existing documentation, as required.
• To maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records of these.
• To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
• To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
• Maintain records of all activities as appropriate to ensure compliance with all quality or scientific standards and requirements as needed
• Supply data to agreed time-scales to meet requirements of audit, preparation of reports, presentations and publications
• To obtain and maintain security vetting at SC level
• To support the group manager and project team in accordance with UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
• To support the maintenance of health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1)
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
• 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 division and UKHSA.

Essential criteria:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject (e.g. BSc Virology/Microbiology/Immunology/Molecular Biology/Biomedical Science)
• Experience in a diagnostic or research laboratory
• Experience and/or aptitude for working in a microbiological safety cabinet
• Evidence of core microbiology laboratory skills (e.g. liquid handling, aseptic technique, light microscopy)
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a small team.
• Experience of working to laboratory quality standards

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in cell culture
• Experience of stock management

Selection ProcessDetails(Success Profiles)

This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours, Experience & Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application &Sift

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed9 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

• Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1500 wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide 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 beadvisedyou 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.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500.

Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 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 willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• Experience in a diagnostic or research laboratory
• Evidence of core microbiology laboratory skills (e.g. liquid handling, aseptic technique, light microscopy)
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject (e.g. BSc Virology/Microbiology/Immunology/Molecular Biology/Biomedical Science)

Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof 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

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a singleface to faceinterview at our Scientific Campus, Colindale.

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

Behaviours, Experience & Technical skillswill be tested at interview in the form of questions.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Lead behaviour - Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working together

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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.

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 a Security Check.

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 Security Check (SC) 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.