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UK Health Security Agency

Senior Biomedical Scientist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is an exciting role within Healthcare Associated Infection, Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Utilisation & Sepsis Division (Clinical & Public Health group) of UKHSA.

As a Senior Biomedical Scientist, you will be working on the SIREN study, which remains one of the key studies investigating COVID-19 in the UK and has expanded its remit to other respiratory infections including influenza and RSV. The role involves supporting NHS sites fulfilling laboratory requirements for the study, coordinating sample flows, assist on maintenance of the SIREN Biobank among others, with the possibility of additional support to studies within the division e.g. PRIME (a mpox seroprevalence study).

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.

The office location is: 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

Main duties of the job

  • Technical charge of the SIREN Biobank and associated databases.
  • Provide professional leadership for those members of staff for whom they are accountable.
  • Contribute to SIREN policies and procedures, including Standard Operating Procedures and risk assessments.
  • To ensure, with others, efficient and effective management of technical, scientific, support workers and clerical staff as appropriate in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures, including:
    • participating in the recruitment and selection of appropriate staff in conjunction with the SIREN senior team.
    • facilitating the induction, education, training, and professional development of appropriate staff.
    • ensuring the required deployment, availability and welfare of staff as indicated above.
    • conducting staff appraisals and individual performance review.
  • Participate in the business management, maintenance and development of the SIREN laboratory and Biobank activities within the resources available.
  • Manage the shipping, receipting, processing, and reporting of key SIREN samples.
  • Help establish and maintain databases that link SIREN samples with relevant results and patient metadata.
  • Contribute towards the development and maintenance of the MOLIS LIMs relevant to the work of SIREN.

Please review the Job Description for the full list of responsibilities.

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

Details

Date posted

15 November 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£42,716 to £48,068 a year Pro rata.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

4 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

UKHSA00907

Job locations

61 Colindale Ave

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review the Job Description for the full list of responsibilities.

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. 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.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This stage will involve an online interview.

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.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 25th 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: w/c 27th November 2023

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please review the Job Description for the full list of responsibilities.

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. 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.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This stage will involve an online interview.

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.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 25th 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: w/c 27th November 2023

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • State registration and maintains professional competence.
  • BSc in biomedical sciences or equivalent
  • Relevant higher degree (MSc/PhD) in Medical Microbiology/Virology/Molecular

Desirable

  • Relevant management training and qualification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Substantial experience (> 3 years) of working in a clinical microbiology laboratory
  • Experience of evaluating and validating molecular and/or serological assays
  • Understands quality assurance principles and procedures
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a category 3 laboratory
  • Experience of liaising with different stakeholders
  • IT / LIMS systems - familiarity with database software and preparation of queries

Skills / capabilities/ behaviours

Essential

  • Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
  • Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
  • Ability to analyse data based on evidence and present it in a meaningful way
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team
  • Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner and to work to deadlines
  • Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner
  • High level of motivation and commitment to high standards

Desirable

  • Evidence of negotiating skills
  • Live within reasonable distance of the laboratory

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

Qualifications

Essential

  • State registration and maintains professional competence.
  • BSc in biomedical sciences or equivalent
  • Relevant higher degree (MSc/PhD) in Medical Microbiology/Virology/Molecular

Desirable

  • Relevant management training and qualification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Substantial experience (> 3 years) of working in a clinical microbiology laboratory
  • Experience of evaluating and validating molecular and/or serological assays
  • Understands quality assurance principles and procedures
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a category 3 laboratory
  • Experience of liaising with different stakeholders
  • IT / LIMS systems - familiarity with database software and preparation of queries

Skills / capabilities/ behaviours

Essential

  • Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
  • Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
  • Ability to analyse data based on evidence and present it in a meaningful way
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team
  • Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner and to work to deadlines
  • Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner
  • High level of motivation and commitment to high standards

Desirable

  • Evidence of negotiating skills
  • Live within reasonable distance of the laboratory

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

61 Colindale Ave

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

61 Colindale Ave

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:

Senior RPO Talent Partner

Chantelle May

ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com

Details

Date posted

15 November 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£42,716 to £48,068 a year Pro rata.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

4 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

UKHSA00907

Job locations

61 Colindale Ave

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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