Job summary
The Research department at Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release.
In addition, the department undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufactures a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics.
The Research department at 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 e.g. TB, meningitis, anthrax and plague.
Location
This is a Lab based role at Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG
*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.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will play a key role in an internationally recognised team contributing to global TB vaccine and drug initiatives. The team are responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities associated with the use of advanced in vivo models of M. tuberculosis infection for the evaluation of novel TB vaccine strategies and therapeutics.
The post holder will assist with the evaluation of novel vaccines and therapeutics in the following ways:
- Using immunological techniques such as ELISA, Flow cytometry and PCR.
- Using microbiological techniques such as plating of bacteria/tissue samples and
- counting CFUs.
- Using the above techniques in a containment level 3 environment.
- Assisting with the preparation for individual studies
- Assist with data analysis and presentation
In addition, the post holder will assist with on-going pandemic by contributing to SARS-CoV-2 tasks as directed by line manager.
Please note: This is a NOT a Biomedical scientist post.
About us
Working for the UKHSA
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- Take responsibility for the control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project.
- Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Supply data to agreed time-scales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations and publications.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
- To maintain 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.
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 via Microsoft Teams.
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:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 16th of November 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: TBC
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience mentioned here in the Person Specification section.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- Take responsibility for the control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project.
- Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Supply data to agreed time-scales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations and publications.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
- To maintain 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.
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 via Microsoft Teams.
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:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 16th of November 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: TBC
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of up to 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience mentioned here in the Person Specification section.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Degree/equivalent qualification or suitable experience.
Desirable
- Good knowledge and practical familiarity with essential techniques for project which are basic microbiology, basic molecular biology, CL3 work, RNA extraction, isolation of cells from blood samples.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of safe working practices.
- Experience in relevant methods acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
- Willing to undertake security clearance and/or vaccinations as required.
- 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, changes in workload and working in difficult environments. Calm and methodical approach.
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
Desirable
- Some postgraduate experience in relevant methods: qPCR, ELISA, CL3 work, basic laboratory techniques.
- Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Degree/equivalent qualification or suitable experience.
Desirable
- Good knowledge and practical familiarity with essential techniques for project which are basic microbiology, basic molecular biology, CL3 work, RNA extraction, isolation of cells from blood samples.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of safe working practices.
- Experience in relevant methods acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
- Willing to undertake security clearance and/or vaccinations as required.
- 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, changes in workload and working in difficult environments. Calm and methodical approach.
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
Desirable
- Some postgraduate experience in relevant methods: qPCR, ELISA, CL3 work, basic laboratory techniques.
- Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).
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).
