Job responsibilities
Responsibilities section:
The post holder will be expected to lead and be responsible for assigned projects and apply cellular and molecular biology methods (e.g. RNA extraction, poly A+ enrichment, qPCR, nanopore sequencing, nCounter analysis, cell culture, western blot) to achieve the specific aims of the research projects and thus to contribute to the development of new tools and techniques for research and dosimetry purposes.
- General maintenance and care of murine colonies such as blood samplings, genotyping and health checks
- Assist other members of the Group, Department and other UKHSA colleagues with wider projects as required.
- Production of high-quality scientific manuscripts for publication in international peer-review journals.
- Dissemination of information and scientific data and results to collaborators and the wider research community by presenting posters and oral presentations at relevant national and international scientific meetings and conferences.
- Acquire knowledge and capability (through training) to carry out duties to support major Radiation Emergency Responses.
- Training and supervision of more junior staff and visiting scientists and students
- To assist with monitoring of laboratory stocks.
- To assist the laboratory manager with regular checks on maintenance of equipment and laboratory safety procedures.
- To generate sound laboratory data in support of research projects, to analyse and interpret complex scientific data sets using appropriate software tools including Microsoft Excel, BRB array tools, Graphpad, GIMP, photoshop, Inkskape and Minitab
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.
Please see full duties and responsibilities attached
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
- PhD in a relevant life science discipline
- Extensive knowledge and experience in a range of modern biological methods including cell culture and molecular biology techniques (RNA and protein extractions, sequencing, Western blotting, PCR, qPCR, multiplex qPCR etc.)
- Experience with mouse handling and related techniques (e.g. gavage, tail bleeding, dissection, genotyping.)
- Hold a Home Office Personal Licence
- Data processing and graphics skills (e.g. Microsoft Office software packages especially Word, Excel and Power Point and also other graphic software like Graphpad, GIMP, photoshop, Inkscape)
- Excellent communication skills, including writing of reports; making scientific and more public-facing presentations, sometimes in difficult situations; and an ability to form productive and maintain working relationships: Ability to form good working relationships with customers and staff.
Desirable
- Knowledge of tissue culture procedures and aseptic techniques
- Knowledge and experience of a statistical software package (e.g. Minitab, Sigma Stat)
- Experience in planning and executing scientific research from start to completion
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description 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.
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. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidates experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
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:
- Communicating and Influencing
- 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 7th March 2024 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.
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.
