Job responsibilities
Your main responsibilities will be:
- To follow agreed protocols and policies in accordance with the UKHSA policies and procedures.
- Perform manual and automated laboratory techniques following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with expertise in sequence-based methods and techniques.
- To participate and support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of Manchester sequencing service.
- To understand and carry out all aspects of NGS sequencing on various commercial platforms using automated liquid handling procedures.
- To run the service autonomously when required, including development and optimisation of services and organisation of workflows.
- To ensure the smooth flow of samples through the laboratory, from receipt to testing.
- To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that samples are being prepared, processed, recorded and archived to a high standard.
- To maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records of these.
- To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
- To encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development and rotation.
- To supervise and support EO and AO grade staff in the laboratory.
- To review and analyse data to ensure it is suitable for release to customers.
- To report finalised sequencing results to service users.
- To assist in the instruction and training of other staff and visitors, and to ensure compliance with safety and quality systems.
- To participate in formal staff appraisal.
- To provide supervision for the work of staff or persons seconded to the laboratory.
- Any other duties within the framework of the job summary.
- To provide supervision for the work of staff or persons seconded to the laboratory.
- To be responsible for the reporting of sequencing results to service users (HCPC Registered Staff Only).
Communication and key working relationships
Internal
- To liaise with section head, all staff within Manchester sequencing service and with staff from other departments as appropriate.
- To liaise with other staff within the service and to assist and advise other scientists, registered scientists, trainees and visitors working in the group.
- Line management of EO and AO Grade staff.
External
- To liaise with collaborators and external customers
- To liaise with staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA
- Professional contacts.
Quality
In collaboration with the Quality Team & local management, to:
- Maintain a high standard of work, and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective and economical and follow best practice
- Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system
- Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes
- Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards
- Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions
Information Technology
- To be competent in the use of the laboratory information system (LIMS) and use the LIMS system from sample entry to result entry.
- To be competent in the use of laboratory software for the tracking of samples through the sequencing process.
- To be responsible for the reporting of sequencing results to service users.
- To use software packages as appropriate for word processing and spreadsheets, as well as specialist packages as required.
Safety
- To promote a strong safety culture
- To agree safety objectives and to review performance at appraisal and support Senior Management Team in carrying out duties with respect to
- Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
- Ensuring relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented.
- Ensuing implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.
This is not an exhaustive list. Please see the job description document for full list of duties.
Role criteria
Essential
- Degree in relevant biological science.
- Experience of molecular techniques including nucleic acid extraction and PCR.
- Knowledge of automated liquid handling.
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
- Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matter, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software.
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload to tight and often changing timescales.
- 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.
Desirable:
- Relevant professional qualification i.e. registration with the health and care professional council (HCPC) as Biomedical Scientist.
- IMBS specialist portfolio completed.
- Experience in running NGS platforms and sequencing services without supervision.
- Basic knowledge of project principles.
- Previously worked in a similar position within the public sector.
- Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reposts, networking and persuasive skills.
- Excellent time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, strengths, skills and experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- An application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- A 1250 word supporting statement.
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 supporting statement 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
Please note 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:
- Experience of molecular techniques including nucleic acid extraction and PCR.
- Knowledge of automated liquid handling.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1250 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 (Success Profiles)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, strengths, skills and experience will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Working at Pace
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 any of our Scientific Campus in Manchester, Manchester Royal Infirmary, M13 9WZ. 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 meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Successful candidates must also meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check clearance.
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 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.
