UK Health Security Agency

Diagnostics Senior Scientist (Molecular)

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Diagnostics Senior Scientist (Quality & Incidents)

SEO National £38,724 - £44,393,

SEO Inner London £42,716 - £48,068,

SEO Outer London £40,721 - £46,231 - dependent upon candidate location

Remote role

FTC Contract until 31st March 2024

Join the Pathogen Diagnostic Assurance Group (PDAG) and contribute to UK Testing Capabilities

Main duties of the job

The Pathogen Diagnostic Assurance Group (PDAG) plays a crucial role in supporting the UK Government's ongoing response to COVID-19 and other pathogens. As a remote team, we focus on ensuring that the assays used in the UK can accurately detect variants or mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and other strategically important pathogens currently in circulation. While our current focus is on molecular and antigen tests available in the market, we remain open to evaluating novel technologies under development.

Role Specialization: Quality and Incidents

As a member of PDAG, you will specialize in the following area:

  • Quality Assurance: Ensuring that diagnostic assays meet rigorous quality standards.
  • Incident Response: Addressing any unexpected issues related to testing.

While your primary responsibility is diagnostic assurance, you'll collaborate closely with colleagues across different workstreams, providing advice and support. Given the dynamic nature of our operating environment, your duties and responsibilities may evolve rapidly in response to strategic demands and PDAG's evolving mandate.

Join us in making a meaningful impact on public health by ensuring accurate and reliable pathogen testing!

Location

Remote however there will be an occasional need to visit an office within the UK.

*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

About us

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
  • Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Details

Date posted

05 October 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,724 to £46,231 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00663

Job locations

Remote

UK Health Security Agency 61 Colindale Avenue

Colindale, London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  1. Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
  2. Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated
  3. Lead the project area to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
  4. Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
  5. Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
  6. Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
  7. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
  8. To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
  9. To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1).
  10. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: Health, Safety and Wellbeing commensurate with grade.

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.

See job description attached for full list of duties and responsibilities.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

  • PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
  • Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
  • Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
  • Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable

  • Several years experience/specialist training in relevant areas/specific methods required for the post (see Job Description).
  • Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).
  • Experience of managing a team without direct line management.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

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.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

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

  • Delivering at pace
  • Managing a quality service
  • Leading and communicating
  • Making effective decisions

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 22nd October 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.

Shortlist: 27/10/23

Interviews: w/c 6th November 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  1. Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
  2. Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated
  3. Lead the project area to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
  4. Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
  5. Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
  6. Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
  7. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
  8. To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
  9. To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1).
  10. To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: Health, Safety and Wellbeing commensurate with grade.

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.

See job description attached for full list of duties and responsibilities.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

  • PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
  • Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
  • Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
  • Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable

  • Several years experience/specialist training in relevant areas/specific methods required for the post (see Job Description).
  • Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).
  • Experience of managing a team without direct line management.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

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.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

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

  • Delivering at pace
  • Managing a quality service
  • Leading and communicating
  • Making effective decisions

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 22nd October 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.

Shortlist: 27/10/23

Interviews: w/c 6th November 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years' postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
  • Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
  • Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
  • Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable

  • Several years' experience/specialist training in relevant areas/specific methods required for the post (see Job Description).
  • Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).
  • Experience of managing a team without direct line management.
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years' postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.
  • Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
  • Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
  • Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable

  • Several years' experience/specialist training in relevant areas/specific methods required for the post (see Job Description).
  • Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).
  • Experience of managing a team without direct line 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.

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

Remote

UK Health Security Agency 61 Colindale Avenue

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

Remote

UK Health Security Agency 61 Colindale Avenue

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:

Lead Recruiter - UKHSA

Jess Bradley

jess.bradley@reed.com

Details

Date posted

05 October 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,724 to £46,231 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00663

Job locations

Remote

UK Health Security Agency 61 Colindale Avenue

Colindale, London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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