Job summary
The Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provides frontline clinical diagnostics, specialist diagnostics, and clinical advice for rare, imported or hazardous infections. The RIPL clinical/science team has 19 staff (16 whole time equivalent) including medical consultants, a clinical scientist, senior scientists, and registrars/clinical fellows. Operational management and a dedicated diagnostic development unit are provided by associated units on the Porton site. A key programme is the National Imported Fever Service, a joint venture between RIPL and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (part of UCLH) and the Royal Liverpool Hospital's Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit. RIPL is also the National Laboratory for Lyme disease and provides a specialist clinical advice service.
RIPL provides reference diagnostic services for a wide range of zoonotic, imported, and dangerous pathogens including viral haemorrhagic fevers, the arbovirus group, hantaviruses, rickettsia and coxiella, anthrax, leptospirosis, tularaemia and other biothreat agents. RIPL is a WHO collaborating laboratory for special pathogens.
RIPL team members are highly research-active and also work closely with the wider research teams across UKHSA, including on biosafety and containment, diagnostics, vaccine and therapeutic development, and public health research studies.
Main duties of the job
The Consultant in Infection will provide expert consultant support for RIPL and the Imported Fever Service. The work covers a wide range of imported bacterial and viral agents and zoonoses and vector borne diseases in the UK, and the consultant will be a key part of the team offering advice on diagnosis, management, and infection control for these agents. As an expert in control of infection and antimicrobial resistance the consultant will bring this expertise to RIPL and UKHSA as required.
UKHSA Porton hosts an environmental laboratory testing samples for a range of pathogens from potentially contaminated sites. The site also includes facilities for studies on disease pathogenesis, and testing vaccines and therapeutics against dangerous infectious diseases, and there is a small vaccine production unit. The post-holder is also expected to work closely with the relevant teams at Porton and at other UKHSA sites.
In addition to supporting the clinical work of the Imported Fever Service, the consultant will gain experience in working with dangerous infectious organisms, in risk assessment and management for infectious agents, and aspects of preventing contamination, environmental sampling and decontamination. This knowledge is used to advise hospital staff on how to apply these principles rationally in their setting to allow both safe and effective working in the interests of patients and carers.
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will
- Share with colleagues responsibility for the day-to-day provision of a comprehensive clinical microbiology and virology service covering unusual pathogens including arboviruses, Rickettsia, Q fever, Lyme disease. Additional training and support/mentoring will be provided through consultant colleagues as the range of pathogens extends beyond standard specialties.
- Provide clinical support for RIPL services at a national level.
- Liaise with patient and professional interest groups provide evidence-based advice to them and professional groups.
- Assist with teaching and training of medical, scientific, biomedical scientist staff, international visitors, and undergraduates and postgraduates within UKHSA, university partners and other agencies.
- Assist in the provision of a service to support public health investigations and management of cases and outbreaks of unusual diseases.
- Be involved in the collection of epidemiological data in close liaison with the Health Protection Services, and in surveillance and prevention programmes as appropriate.
- Carry out teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required and for contributing to undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education activity, locally and nationally.
- Be involved in research when required.
- Provide clinical/professional supervision and mentorship as appropriate.
- Demonstrate high professional standards.
- Deputise for the Head of RIPL as and when required.
- Demonstrate a willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional, national, or international levels.
- Assist with teaching and training of medical, scientific, biomedical scientist staff, international visitors, and undergraduates and postgraduates within UKHSA, university partners and other agencies.
- Actively identify, lead, and contribute to quality improvement and governance initiatives in line with strategic direction of the region.
- Actively assist in the development of joint plans and system wide priorities forpublic health action or improvement.
- Ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements at all times.
- Contribute to proactive and responsive media issues.
- Participate in organisational and professional appraisal and revalidation as appropriate.
- Share on-call duties with professional colleagues and to cross-cover for annual and study leave as necessary, in proportion to the postholders base PAs (currently overall, averaged across the year, the post-holder will be on call on a c. 1:4 rota for nights and weekends: intensity supplement = A)
Other duties
- It is the responsibility of the postholder to ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the area of work.
- All staff who have access to or transfer data are responsible for that data and must respect confidentiality and comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, in line with the UKHSA policies.
- The postholder is responsible for data quality and complying with the policies, procedures, and accountability arrangements throughout the Trust for maintaining accuracy and probity in the recording of UKHSAs activities.
- Staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in line with UKHSA Policy.
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of UKHSA Centers and Regions.
- Each years Job Plan will be agreed annually in advance between the postholder and the Head of RIPL normally between January and March.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
COMMUNICATION AND KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to UKHSA.
This will include:
Internal
- UKHSA medical, scientific, biomedical scientists.
- Other units within TARZET, particularly EIZ and Travel Health.
- Other divisions within the Agency, particularly Health Protection Services.
- The Imported Fever Service partners (the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, and the Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Liverpool)
External
- Consultant Microbiologists and ID physicians within the UK and internationally
- GPs and hospital consultants for Lyme disease queries
- National and international experts for relevant pathogens
- Other government departments, including APHA, and the relevant public health authorities in the Devolved Administrations
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. Please refer to the Job Description.
You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of UKHSA
Other Information
Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
If included in the GMC Specialist Register/ in a specialty other than public health medicine, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice
Public Health Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC.
External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of an Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) up to 1500 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.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible.
The Application Form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a remote interview held by MS Teams with camera on. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews will be held 06 October 2025. Please note, this date is subject to change.
A 5 minute presentation will be required, the subject will be provided 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 our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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 for this role must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard / Counter-terrorist Check
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will
- Share with colleagues responsibility for the day-to-day provision of a comprehensive clinical microbiology and virology service covering unusual pathogens including arboviruses, Rickettsia, Q fever, Lyme disease. Additional training and support/mentoring will be provided through consultant colleagues as the range of pathogens extends beyond standard specialties.
- Provide clinical support for RIPL services at a national level.
- Liaise with patient and professional interest groups provide evidence-based advice to them and professional groups.
- Assist with teaching and training of medical, scientific, biomedical scientist staff, international visitors, and undergraduates and postgraduates within UKHSA, university partners and other agencies.
- Assist in the provision of a service to support public health investigations and management of cases and outbreaks of unusual diseases.
- Be involved in the collection of epidemiological data in close liaison with the Health Protection Services, and in surveillance and prevention programmes as appropriate.
- Carry out teaching, examination and accreditation duties as required and for contributing to undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education activity, locally and nationally.
- Be involved in research when required.
- Provide clinical/professional supervision and mentorship as appropriate.
- Demonstrate high professional standards.
- Deputise for the Head of RIPL as and when required.
- Demonstrate a willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional, national, or international levels.
- Assist with teaching and training of medical, scientific, biomedical scientist staff, international visitors, and undergraduates and postgraduates within UKHSA, university partners and other agencies.
- Actively identify, lead, and contribute to quality improvement and governance initiatives in line with strategic direction of the region.
- Actively assist in the development of joint plans and system wide priorities forpublic health action or improvement.
- Ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements at all times.
- Contribute to proactive and responsive media issues.
- Participate in organisational and professional appraisal and revalidation as appropriate.
- Share on-call duties with professional colleagues and to cross-cover for annual and study leave as necessary, in proportion to the postholders base PAs (currently overall, averaged across the year, the post-holder will be on call on a c. 1:4 rota for nights and weekends: intensity supplement = A)
Other duties
- It is the responsibility of the postholder to ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the area of work.
- All staff who have access to or transfer data are responsible for that data and must respect confidentiality and comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, in line with the UKHSA policies.
- The postholder is responsible for data quality and complying with the policies, procedures, and accountability arrangements throughout the Trust for maintaining accuracy and probity in the recording of UKHSAs activities.
- Staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in line with UKHSA Policy.
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of UKHSA Centers and Regions.
- Each years Job Plan will be agreed annually in advance between the postholder and the Head of RIPL normally between January and March.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
COMMUNICATION AND KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to UKHSA.
This will include:
Internal
- UKHSA medical, scientific, biomedical scientists.
- Other units within TARZET, particularly EIZ and Travel Health.
- Other divisions within the Agency, particularly Health Protection Services.
- The Imported Fever Service partners (the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, and the Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Liverpool)
External
- Consultant Microbiologists and ID physicians within the UK and internationally
- GPs and hospital consultants for Lyme disease queries
- National and international experts for relevant pathogens
- Other government departments, including APHA, and the relevant public health authorities in the Devolved Administrations
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. Please refer to the Job Description.
You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of UKHSA
Other Information
Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
If included in the GMC Specialist Register/ in a specialty other than public health medicine, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice
Public Health Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC.
External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of an Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) up to 1500 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.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible.
The Application Form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a remote interview held by MS Teams with camera on. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews will be held 06 October 2025. Please note, this date is subject to change.
A 5 minute presentation will be required, the subject will be provided 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 our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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 for this role must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard / Counter-terrorist Check
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical practitioner, with full registration and a licence to practice with the General Medical Council (GMC), or be eligible for registration within six months of interview
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists or equivalent Applicants that are UK trained must be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in a relevant specialty, or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT or its recognised equivalence in any relevant combination of Microbiology/ Virology/Infectious Diseases/Tropical Medicine
- Ability to offer an expert clinical and clinical laboratory opinion on a range of problems relating to Microbiology & Virology in primary care, inpatient and tertiary referral settings
- Experience in Microbiological/virological aspects of infection control in hospitals, public places, and the environment
- Experience relevant to RIPL pathogens during training or prior roles, for example DTM&H or tropical medicine experience
Desirable
- Peer reviewed scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars, etc.
Skills and Capabilities
Essential
- Able to prioritise work, and work well against a background of change and uncertainty
- Adaptable to situations, can communicate with people of all capabilities and attitudes
- Project management
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the public and the media)
- Effective interpersonal, motivational, and influencing skills
- Ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Understanding of epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health care evaluation
- Experience of people management, training and mentoring
Behaviours and Attitudes
Essential
- Commitment to team-working and respect and consideration for the skills of others
- Self-motivated, pro-active, and innovative
- High standards of professional probity
Other Information
Essential
- Must be prepared to work at the base laboratory and must be willing to travel occasionally to other sites necessitated by the role. Commitment to Continuing Medical Education & Development and the requirements of Clinical Governance and Audit. Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional, and national level
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical practitioner, with full registration and a licence to practice with the General Medical Council (GMC), or be eligible for registration within six months of interview
- Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists or equivalent Applicants that are UK trained must be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in a relevant specialty, or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT or its recognised equivalence in any relevant combination of Microbiology/ Virology/Infectious Diseases/Tropical Medicine
- Ability to offer an expert clinical and clinical laboratory opinion on a range of problems relating to Microbiology & Virology in primary care, inpatient and tertiary referral settings
- Experience in Microbiological/virological aspects of infection control in hospitals, public places, and the environment
- Experience relevant to RIPL pathogens during training or prior roles, for example DTM&H or tropical medicine experience
Desirable
- Peer reviewed scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars, etc.
Skills and Capabilities
Essential
- Able to prioritise work, and work well against a background of change and uncertainty
- Adaptable to situations, can communicate with people of all capabilities and attitudes
- Project management
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the public and the media)
- Effective interpersonal, motivational, and influencing skills
- Ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Understanding of epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health care evaluation
- Experience of people management, training and mentoring
Behaviours and Attitudes
Essential
- Commitment to team-working and respect and consideration for the skills of others
- Self-motivated, pro-active, and innovative
- High standards of professional probity
Other Information
Essential
- Must be prepared to work at the base laboratory and must be willing to travel occasionally to other sites necessitated by the role. Commitment to Continuing Medical Education & Development and the requirements of Clinical Governance and Audit. Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional, and national level
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
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.
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.
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).
