Job summary
The post is a predominantly laboratory based scientific research role working within the NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health. Based within the Toxicology Department at RCE on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, the post will work in the area of health effects from chemical and biological exposures from the air (inhalation route). Using in vitro systems modelling the lung airways and immune compartments, this position will examine how different combustion engine derived chemical and particulate pollutant material (e.g. from fossil and biodiesel fuels), including gases such as nitrogen dioxide, impact cellular biomarkers of disease. This work will also involve investigations of interactions of pollutants with common inhaled allergenic material to understand impacts on airway disease such as asthma.
Location
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in our RCE, Chilton, Harwell Science Campus, there will be opportunities to work from home. The number of days in the office will be agreed on an individual basis by your line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern - Full Time, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Main duties of the job
- To develop in vitro and in vivo models and methods for characterising exposures and toxicity.
- To collect and prepare samples for analysis as required.
- To provide next generation sequencing support using internal RCE instrumentation or external service providers.
- To maintain computational facilities associated with the analytical tools.
- With others to be responsible for the analysis of data from these analytical methods.
- To support communication of this highly specialised work to a range of recipients, e.g. colleagues in PHE; University Colleagues; Government agencies/departments; or the public, in an appropriate manner.
- To ensure that such advice is documented and recorded in readily retrievable form
- When required the post holder will assist in emergency responses and in an emergency situation this work will be considered the primary duty of the post holder.
- The post may involve travel as and when require
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
About us
At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.
Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
UKHSA is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases and other health threats. We provide intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nations health secure.
The Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE) provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. To support evidence-anchored advice for Health Security, RCE undertakes research work with various university partners and other organisations including within Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) supported by the National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR).
The Toxicology Department provides Public Health advice to other parts of RCE, the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments and agencies, Local Authorities and other stakeholders including members of the public on the risks to health from environmental hazards (chemicals, particles and bioaerosols). The Toxicology Department undertakes research that underpins chemical regulation and policy development. All of the research underpins the UKHSA role in public health protection from environmental hazards. The Experimental Toxicology programme within the Toxicology Department undertakes experimental activities using in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the impacts of exposures to chemicals and other environmental pollutants (e.g. nanoparticles, air pollutants, bioaerosols, microplastics) on human health, including to those with pre-existing conditions (e.g. asthma). The programme also undertakes research to develop and validate test methods for hazard characterisation and assessment of chemicals to support regulatory objectives for chemicals, with a focus on new approach methodologies (NAMs).
The post holder will facilitate knowledge acquisition within the Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) HPRU with Imperial College and Kings College London as academic partners. The post holder will be expected to work closely together with peers within the team across a number of themes and projects within the HPRU.
Job description
Job responsibilities
UKHSA is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases and other health threats. We provide intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nations health secure.
The Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE) provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. To support evidence-anchored advice for Health Security, RCE undertakes research work with various university partners and other organisations including within Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) supported by the National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR).
The Toxicology Department provides Public Health advice to other parts of RCE, the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments and agencies, Local Authorities and other stakeholders including members of the public on the risks to health from environmental hazards (chemicals, particles and bioaerosols). The Toxicology Department undertakes research that underpins chemical regulation and policy development. All of the research underpins the UKHSA role in public health protection from environmental hazards. The Experimental Toxicology programme within the Toxicology Department undertakes experimental activities using in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the impacts of exposures to chemicals and other environmental pollutants (e.g. nanoparticles, air pollutants, bioaerosols, microplastics) on human health, including to those with pre-existing conditions (e.g. asthma). The programme also undertakes research to develop and validate test methods for hazard characterisation and assessment of chemicals to support regulatory objectives for chemicals, with a focus on new approach methodologies (NAMs).
The post holder will facilitate knowledge acquisition within the Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) HPRU with Imperial College and Kings College London as academic partners. The post holder will be expected to work closely together with peers within the team across a number of themes and projects within the HPRU.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Degree level qualification in toxicology, molecular biology or other related biological discipline (e.g. immunology, pharmacology)
- Further training to PhD level or equivalent laboratory experience
Desirable
- Masters in Toxicology, Bioinformatics or statistics
Experience
Essential
- Experience of laboratory-based research.
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals.
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to carry out statistical analysis and extract key messages from complex analysis with support
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable
- Experience of working in in vitro and or in vivo toxicology, or similar area
- Experience in environmental sample collection
- Experience with mass spectral analysis and/or high throughput sequencing
- Use of statistical analysis
- Good computational skills with high level data sets such as metabolomics or high throughput sequencing sets.
- Analytical skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate
- Skills for project management
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Degree level qualification in toxicology, molecular biology or other related biological discipline (e.g. immunology, pharmacology)
- Further training to PhD level or equivalent laboratory experience
Desirable
- Masters in Toxicology, Bioinformatics or statistics
Experience
Essential
- Experience of laboratory-based research.
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals.
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to carry out statistical analysis and extract key messages from complex analysis with support
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable
- Experience of working in in vitro and or in vivo toxicology, or similar area
- Experience in environmental sample collection
- Experience with mass spectral analysis and/or high throughput sequencing
- Use of statistical analysis
- Good computational skills with high level data sets such as metabolomics or high throughput sequencing sets.
- Analytical skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate
- Skills for project management
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.
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.
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).
