Job summary
The Countermeasures Development, Evaluation, and Preparedness Division (CDEP), along with other divisions within the Public Health Microbiology Directorate, provide the laboratory-based capability for UKHSA's Countermeasures Development, Evaluation, and Preparedness Division (CDEP). This role provides specialist, scientific leadership to activities within CDEC's Pre-Clinical Evaluation Team, and across CDEP and other divisions as required.
The Head of Pre-Clinical Evaluation is responsible for establishment and leadership of vaccine and therapeutic pre-clinical evaluation activities in the CDEP.
The Head of Pre-Clinical Evaluation will work with the Deputy Director of Countermeasures Development, Evaluation & Preparedness to deliver pre-clinical elements of the UKHSA Vaccines Strategy working across UKHSA and with HMG.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Pre-clinical Evaluation will also work with Academia, Industry, other government and non-profit organisations including the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and World Health Organisation (WHO) to support the vaccine and therapeutic development and approval.
This will be delivered by provision of pre-clinical models to support the analysis and evaluation of vaccines and therapeutics in studies performed on behalf of HMG, non-UK government, commercial and academic parties.
This may include working with national and international vaccine developers to establish well characterised animal models and associated assays to provide support to vaccine and therapeutic development. It may also include implementation of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) compliant testing and testing that meets the requirements of the FDA Animal Rule.
The function requires development and maintenance of staffing, expertise and capabilities to deliver these activities as well as working with other groups in the division, across Science Group and within UKHSA. Externally the function will work with HMG, academia, vaccine developers, pharmaceutical Industry, CEPI, WHO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), USG and other bodies to support the development, regulatory approval and deployment of vaccines and therapeutics. Close engagement with internal and external stakeholders will be critical for success.
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
- To provide scientific direction to CDEP on development and implementation of pre-clinical, infectious disease models to meet VDEC, Science group and UKHSA strategic goals.
- To take the lead in maintaining and enhancing a research capability for pre-clinical infectious diseases modelling and countermeasure evaluation, including those requiring enhanced QMS, and to ensure projects can be resourced and accommodated properly.
- To drive innovation and foster collaborations within and outside of UKHSA leading to grant applications and/ or new business proposals in order to establish an annual income and expenditure budget.
- To co-ordinate commercial negotiations with customers in order to achieve project aims ensuring appropriate protection of IPR where necessary and to act as a key point of contact with customers to ensure establishment, operation and completion of projects to customers satisfaction.
- To develop and maintain a strong national and international profile and networks through presentations, high impact publications, membership of committees and boards.
- To contribute to the quality of science and scientific strategy at UKHSA by promoting and enabling collaboration within CDEP/Science Group and across UKHSA to enhance the science base and capability development.
- To take responsibility for all people management issues, including to lead, train, mentor and support the development of scientists within CDEP.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- To interact appropriately with regulatory authorities (e.g. HSE, HO, MHRA) and to ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and any applicable Quality Systems.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
Essential Criteria
- Degree qualification and/or on the job experience in relevant field (e.g. Biology/Microbiology)
- PhD in appropriate discipline (e.g. Biology/Microbiology) and extensive experience in a research environment
- Internationally recognised expert with publication record in high impact journals, membership of expert panels and strong national and international collaborations and networks
- Experience of working with in vivo models for infectious disease agents and the use of different analysis methods including molecular biology, immunology and transcriptomics to characterise them
- In-depth knowledge and experience of operational management within a multi-disciplinary organisation working on vaccine development and licensure from within HMG, Industry, academia and other organisations including CEPI.
- In-depth knowledge and wide, recent experience of pre-clinical testing for the research & development, characterisation and deployment of vaccines
- Extensive experience of research with models for ACDP HG3/HG4 pathogens
- Experience with ISO 9001 and GMP/GLP compliance.
- Able to present information at internal/external meetings
- Ability to recognise and materialise scientific innovations into new business, experience with staff and budget management
- Experience of dealing with external and internal customers, negotiating and agreeing work programmes, reporting progress, dealing with any issues to ensure delivery and customer
- Strong leadership skills, extensive experience of project management and leading teams
- Able to exercise sound judgement and clear about priorities
- Experience in a wide range of techniques within laboratory-based biological research
- Experience of working practices within high containment environments
- Experience of networking internally and externally to gain information, contacts, commitment, expertise to better ensure project outcomes.
- Experience of generation of innovative/creative solutions to scientific and experimental problems/etc
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 17 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- a 1000 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.
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.
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
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 working with in vivo models for infectious disease agents and the use of different analysis methods including molecular biology, immunology and transcriptomics to characterise them
- Extensive experience of research with models for ACDP HG3/HG4 pathogen
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.
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 and strengths will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 5-10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The details of this will be sent to you prior to the interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the bigger picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Interview are planned for the week commencing 10th November. Please note these dates may be 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.
Location
This role is office/lab based at our Porton Down facilities. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.
Selection Process
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.
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. Successful candidates will require Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance.
You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) and 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) 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
- To provide scientific direction to CDEP on development and implementation of pre-clinical, infectious disease models to meet VDEC, Science group and UKHSA strategic goals.
- To take the lead in maintaining and enhancing a research capability for pre-clinical infectious diseases modelling and countermeasure evaluation, including those requiring enhanced QMS, and to ensure projects can be resourced and accommodated properly.
- To drive innovation and foster collaborations within and outside of UKHSA leading to grant applications and/ or new business proposals in order to establish an annual income and expenditure budget.
- To co-ordinate commercial negotiations with customers in order to achieve project aims ensuring appropriate protection of IPR where necessary and to act as a key point of contact with customers to ensure establishment, operation and completion of projects to customers satisfaction.
- To develop and maintain a strong national and international profile and networks through presentations, high impact publications, membership of committees and boards.
- To contribute to the quality of science and scientific strategy at UKHSA by promoting and enabling collaboration within CDEP/Science Group and across UKHSA to enhance the science base and capability development.
- To take responsibility for all people management issues, including to lead, train, mentor and support the development of scientists within CDEP.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- To interact appropriately with regulatory authorities (e.g. HSE, HO, MHRA) and to ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and any applicable Quality Systems.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
Essential Criteria
- Degree qualification and/or on the job experience in relevant field (e.g. Biology/Microbiology)
- PhD in appropriate discipline (e.g. Biology/Microbiology) and extensive experience in a research environment
- Internationally recognised expert with publication record in high impact journals, membership of expert panels and strong national and international collaborations and networks
- Experience of working with in vivo models for infectious disease agents and the use of different analysis methods including molecular biology, immunology and transcriptomics to characterise them
- In-depth knowledge and experience of operational management within a multi-disciplinary organisation working on vaccine development and licensure from within HMG, Industry, academia and other organisations including CEPI.
- In-depth knowledge and wide, recent experience of pre-clinical testing for the research & development, characterisation and deployment of vaccines
- Extensive experience of research with models for ACDP HG3/HG4 pathogens
- Experience with ISO 9001 and GMP/GLP compliance.
- Able to present information at internal/external meetings
- Ability to recognise and materialise scientific innovations into new business, experience with staff and budget management
- Experience of dealing with external and internal customers, negotiating and agreeing work programmes, reporting progress, dealing with any issues to ensure delivery and customer
- Strong leadership skills, extensive experience of project management and leading teams
- Able to exercise sound judgement and clear about priorities
- Experience in a wide range of techniques within laboratory-based biological research
- Experience of working practices within high containment environments
- Experience of networking internally and externally to gain information, contacts, commitment, expertise to better ensure project outcomes.
- Experience of generation of innovative/creative solutions to scientific and experimental problems/etc
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 17 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- a 1000 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.
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.
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
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 working with in vivo models for infectious disease agents and the use of different analysis methods including molecular biology, immunology and transcriptomics to characterise them
- Extensive experience of research with models for ACDP HG3/HG4 pathogen
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.
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 and strengths will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 5-10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The details of this will be sent to you prior to the interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the bigger picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Interview are planned for the week commencing 10th November. Please note these dates may be 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.
Location
This role is office/lab based at our Porton Down facilities. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.
Selection Process
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.
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. Successful candidates will require Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance.
You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) and 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) 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
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Person Specification
Application form and statement of suitability
Essential
- Application form and statement of suitability
Behaviours
Essential
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
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).
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).
