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UK Health Security Agency

Biomedical Scientist – Team Leader

The closing date is 03 June 2025

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Job summary

Applications are invited for the above post which is based in the Microbiology Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. The department undertakes a wide range of routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations. The post is rotational and will involve working in Bacteriology, Serology and Molecular Virology, Molecular Bacteriology and Mycobacteriology.

The Laboratory operates a 7 day working week and the applicant will be required to work 37.5 hours per week based on a shift system including a requirement to work at weekends and bank holidays.

Applicant would be expected to work as part of the laboratory team, providing a high quality microbiology service in order to provide patients with the highest level of diagnosis and treatment. To manage the efficient day-to-day running of a section of the laboratory, to be able to rotate through all the sections of the laboratory including:

  • General Bacteriology including respiratory and enterics
  • Virology including Viral Serology
  • Molecular diagnostics for Bacteriology and Virology
  • Regional Centre for Mycobacteriology.
  • Antiviral Susceptibility Testing services

Main duties of the job

  • Organise the day-to-day deployment of staff within each section.
  • Ensure reports are verified, are accurate and authorise their issue.
  • Ensure that adequate consumable stocks are maintained for the section whilst minimising cost and wastage.
  • Prepare implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for each section and to ensure that these are followed.
  • Ensure that technical standards are maintained both internally and through the external quality assessment schemes.
  • Ensure continued maintenance of UKAS Accreditation Standards.
  • Ensure that UKHSA Laboratory Safety Policies are implemented and adhered to by all staff working in the department.
  • Co-ordinate the development and evaluation of new techniques and equipment.
  • Training, induction and education of Healthcare Scientific Support Workers, Trainee Biomedical Scientists, Biomedical Scientists, Trainee Medical staff and visitors to the department.
  • Conduct annual appraisals for staff and participate in the setting of objectives and the monitoring of their development in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager.
  • Support and develop the molecular bacteriology and virology strategy of the laboratory.
  • Keep up to date with knowledge of microbiology diagnostic developments through proactive participation in CPD programmes.
  • Participate in Weekend rosters out of hours and Bank Holiday work of the department (or at any other time) as and when required.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

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

20 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-JP-300753-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Birmingham

B9 5SS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential Criteria

  • BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS.
  • Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered.
  • Has completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in either Bacteriology or Virology.
  • Extensive experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory.
  • Experience of using computerised data systems.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 6 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how 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 some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

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

  • Demonstrate extensive post-registration experience in a discipline within Microbiology.
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.

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

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a presentation. The details of this will be sent prior to interview.

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

Location:

This role is being offered as lab based at UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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 Counter-terrorist Check.

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.

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential Criteria

  • BSc Biomedical Science degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS.
  • Health Professions Council (HCPC) registered.
  • Has completed the IBMS Specialist Portfolio in either Bacteriology or Virology.
  • Extensive experience working in a diagnostic microbiology or virology laboratory.
  • Experience of using computerised data systems.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 6 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how 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 some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

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

  • Demonstrate extensive post-registration experience in a discipline within Microbiology.
  • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.

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

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a presentation. The details of this will be sent prior to interview.

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

Location:

This role is being offered as lab based at UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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 Counter-terrorist Check.

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.

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.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Essential

  • Application Form and Statement of Suitability

Essential Criteria

Essential

  • Question on experience, knowledge and skills
Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Essential

  • Application Form and Statement of Suitability

Essential Criteria

Essential

  • Question on experience, knowledge and skills

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

UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Birmingham

B9 5SS


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

UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Birmingham

B9 5SS


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:

Recruitment Support

Jon Payne

jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

20 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-JP-300753-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Birmingham Public Health Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Birmingham

B9 5SS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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