FW&E Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

More responsibilities:

• To develop, evaluate and implement methods relevant to the specialist area.
• To produce peer-reviewed publications on the results of research activities. To develop, review and edit manuscripts, documents, protocols, procedures, guidelines, and other measurable outputs.
• To provide scientific advice and support in relation to internal quality controls and, where relevant, external quality assessment.
• To present research findings at local, national and international scientific meetings.
• You would participate in FW&Es Senior Management Team meetings and, as required, in higher level meetings.
• The postholder would support career and professional development of staff within the team. You would be required to manage staff, conduct staff appraisals of direct reports and manage performance issues as required. You would ensure the provision of a safe working environment for all staff and visitors.

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.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. 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 either by video or face to face.

Please note that you may be asked to undertake a test or presentation at 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.

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

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Adaptable
• Analytical
• Problem Solver
• Team Player

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 6th 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 2024

Interviews: w/c TBC 2024

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/

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Eligibility to be a food examiner
• PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant subject, i.e., microbiology or biological science
• Extensive (post-doctoral) expertise in food, water and environmentally transmitted infections
• Knowledge of food, water and environmental surveillance, public health surveillance, WGS and downstream data analysis
• Substantive (postdoctoral) experience in Public Health microbiology in reference and/or diagnostic settings
• Demonstrable experience of leading complex projects and project management skills
• Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/others
• Able to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
• Ability to take decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
• Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• Experience of molecular microbiological techniques and their application
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills

Desirable

• Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools

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

UKHSA Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)