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UK Health Security Agency

HEALTHCARE SCIENTIST

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will work in the Central Sequencing Laboratory in Colindale and contribute to ensuring provision of genomic services to our customers including Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Sanger sequencing, and fragment analysis using a variety of instruments and technologies.

The Central Sequencing Laboratory comprises of a high throughput and regional sequencing capacity and capability in support of the COVID response and moving forward the development and consolidation of the wider pathogen genomics programme. The work of the genomics sequencing services is to support UKHSA's genomics surveillance programmes, to aid detection of outbreaks and transmission of infections, to characterise and correlate genomics to virulence and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms efficiently and effectively, and generate evidence to support effective interventions, all within the wider UKHSA objective, to significantly reduce their overall public health burden.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide and support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of CSL.
  • To carry out NGS on Sequencing platforms using automated liquid handling procedures and equipment.
  • Job Holder is expected to work under supervision of a Biomedical Scientist following defined SOP/protocols and would be expected to refer non-routine issues to their supervisor.
  • Use the NGS LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.
  • To ensure the smooth flow of samples through the laboratory, from receipt to testing.
  • To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that samples are being prepared, recorded, and archived to a high standard.
  • 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.
  • Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.
  • To encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development, and rotation

About us

UK Health Security Agency provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nation's health. Its ambition is to lead nationally, and enable locally, a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England, regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge and skills. UKHSA is an executive agency of the Department of Health. It is a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy to advise and support government, local authorities and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.

Details

Date posted

21 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£27,690 to £32,203 a year EO

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

MK-UKHSA00018-2107

Job locations

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1000 words.

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview via in Person.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

The Success Profiles framework will be used at interview to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Leadership
  • Working Together
  • Developing self and others
  • Managing a Quality Service

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs 03/08/2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Job description

Job responsibilities

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1000 words.

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview via in Person.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

The Success Profiles framework will be used at interview to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Leadership
  • Working Together
  • Developing self and others
  • Managing a Quality Service

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs 03/08/2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • Degree in a relevant biological science

Desirable

  • Relevant professional qualification i.e. registration with the health and care professional council (HCPC) as clinical scientist or Biomedical Scientist

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of automated liquid handling
  • Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Desirable

  • Experience in NGS Platforms
  • Basic knowledge of project principles
  • Previously worked in a similar position within the public sector

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
  • Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software
  • Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Desirable

  • Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, networking and persuasive skills
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise

Equality and Diversity

Essential

  • 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
Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

  • Degree in a relevant biological science

Desirable

  • Relevant professional qualification i.e. registration with the health and care professional council (HCPC) as clinical scientist or Biomedical Scientist

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of automated liquid handling
  • Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Desirable

  • Experience in NGS Platforms
  • Basic knowledge of project principles
  • Previously worked in a similar position within the public sector

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
  • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
  • Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software
  • Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Desirable

  • Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, networking and persuasive skills
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise

Equality and Diversity

Essential

  • 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

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

RPO Talent Specialist

Manirika Karmakar

manirika.karmakar@gmail.com

Details

Date posted

21 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£27,690 to £32,203 a year EO

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

MK-UKHSA00018-2107

Job locations

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)