UK Health Security Agency

Veterinary Researcher in Pathology

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Pathology group have an exciting opportunity; recruiting a permanent Veterinary Researcher in Pathology to join the team, based at UKHSA's Porton Down site.

The Pathology group is part of the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) at UKHSA, Porton and provides support to a wide range of projects involving the development and use of in-vivo models to test the safety and efficacy of therapeutics and preventative vaccines against emerging infectious agents. Project work includes a range of infectious diseases e.g. TB, vector-borne diseases, SARS-CoV-2, CCHF, and Nipah virus. We undertake routine histopathological procedures as well as more specialised techniques such as immunohistochemistry, multiplex immunofluorescence and in-situ hybridisation.

The post holder will provide veterinary expertise in a variety of research projects involving histopathological and clinical data. This is delivered through a team responsible for provision comparative pathology input in numerous projects carried out at UKHSA Porton Down, with the overall goal of pandemic preparedness response capability. The post holder will therefore be required to work concurrently on projects and thus, delivering at pace, excellent communicating and influencing skills both written (reports, presentations) and verbal (teleconferences, face-to-face) and building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders is essential.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide scientific advice and leadership to projects requiring pathology and histopathology input
  • Develop and implement recommendations for pathological analysis. To be aware of scientific trends and assist UKHSA Porton in anticipating future technique/skill requirements in the field of comparative anatomical, clinical and histopathology
  • Prepare, supply and assist in the submission of project proposals, reports and publications.
  • Take lead responsibility on the provision of new technologies, and key reagents required for the projects and documented provenance of materials generated.
  • To liaise with the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) and the Biological Investigation group (BIG)regularly to strengthen departmental links and to advise and help implement comparative anatomical, clinical and histopathological guidance and methodologies into all stages of current and future study designs (ante-mortem, necropsy and post-mortem)
  • Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the projects and/or department.
  • Assist senior colleagues, leading where necessary in developing scientific and technical strategy for the Pathology Department, identifying new opportunities as they arise and responding to funding calls or customer enquiries.
  • Provide reports as required and lead on preparation of presentations, publications and liaison

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

13 February 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£54,416 to £64,485 a year Per annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-GB-302107-EXT

Job locations

Porton Down

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below (4) essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

  • Veterinary degree and MRCVS (or registrable veterinary degree with RCVS)
  • Specialist knowledge with veterinary pathology techniques development and evaluation
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
  • Experience of leading projects/project teams and dealing with customers/clients

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience, Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (4) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

  • An Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Behaviour Statements

Please write 250 words per behaviour.

The behaviours are:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets someessential criteria
  • Meets no essentialcriteria

The following piles will be taken through to the next stage:

  • Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:

  • Specialist knowledge with veterinary pathology techniques development and evaluation.

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

Please do not exceed 250 words per behaviour. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at UKHSA Porton Down.If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, and ability will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving Lead behaviour
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

Interviews will be held week commencing w/c 3rd March 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria- External

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

Location

This role is being offered as office and lab based at our site in Porton Down. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check clearance.

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below (4) essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

  • Veterinary degree and MRCVS (or registrable veterinary degree with RCVS)
  • Specialist knowledge with veterinary pathology techniques development and evaluation
  • Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
  • Experience of leading projects/project teams and dealing with customers/clients

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience, Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (4) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

  • An Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • Behaviour Statements

Please write 250 words per behaviour.

The behaviours are:

  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets someessential criteria
  • Meets no essentialcriteria

The following piles will be taken through to the next stage:

  • Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:

  • Specialist knowledge with veterinary pathology techniques development and evaluation.

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

Please do not exceed 250 words per behaviour. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at UKHSA Porton Down.If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, and ability will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving Lead behaviour
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

Interviews will be held week commencing w/c 3rd March 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria- External

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

Location

This role is being offered as office and lab based at our site in Porton Down. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check clearance.

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form and Statement of Suitability

Essential

  • Application form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and Improving - Lead behaviour
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace
Person Specification

Application form and Statement of Suitability

Essential

  • Application form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and Improving - Lead behaviour
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working together
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

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

Porton Down

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


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

Porton Down

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


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:

Resourcing support

Gurkamal Bhambra

gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

13 February 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£54,416 to £64,485 a year Per annum, Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-GB-302107-EXT

Job locations

Porton Down

Porton Down

SP4 0JG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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