Job responsibilities
Scientific Responsibilities
Lead a specialist scientific service within GBRU through the following activities:
- Under the overall strategic guidance of the Head of Unit, provide effective scientific and professional leadership for a specialist scientific area including organisation, supervision and delivery of national reference services and by providing advice, expertise and specialist information.
- Responsible for ensuring the preparation and dissemination of GBRU outputs comprising provision of timely laboratory results and reports, presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
- Maintain and further develop the international and national reputation of national microbiology reference functions through development of strategic academic, public sector and other partnerships including participation, design, implementation and overall management of R&D projects within area of expertise
- Act in response to national and international health alerts and in discharge of UK commitments to International Health Regulations (IHR) through efficient threat detection and reporting and to provide scientific advice to international agencies such as ECDC and WHO on request.
- Participate in scientific fora to help maintain the high standard of analytical work by staff in GBRU and ensure representation at key scientific and medical conferences
Managerial Responsibilities
Within the defined specialist area to undertake the following managerial functions as required:
- Lead, manage and develop a team of staff working within the specialist area including design of an appropriate program of staff training to ensure GBRU meets its objectives.
- To take a full part in the career and professional development of staff within the team. Conduct staff appraisals and manage performance issues as required.
- To develop and maintain effective internal communications and good working relationships with staff and with staff from other reference services.
- To develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required.
- To maintain high scientific, technical and professional standards amongst staff including staff commitment to national strategy.
- To ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, in collaboration with the designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security Information Officer.
- In liaison with the Operations Manager, monitor non-pay spending by the Section, flagging any significant capital expenditure.
- Contribute to the risk management strategy by identifying and evaluating key threats within the Risk Register.
- Contribute to the Business Continuity Plan, ensuring that essential Section services/activities are appropriately flagged.Clinical and Professional Responsibilities
- Provide expert and specialist advice on scientific and technical solutions to UKHSA and external stakeholders.
- Liaise with scientific and IT staff from external organisations involved in molecular surveillance of pathogens.
- Ensure compliance with policies and guidelines to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the integrity of projects and services.Teaching and Training Responsibilities
- To promote the personal and professional development of staff through creation of personal development plans, regular performance review, and identification and meeting of training needs.
- To ensure all staff and assigned visitors or trainees are competent to carry out the tasks given to them, ensuring that levels of supervision are sufficient.
- To develop and supervise postgraduate research projects and support the organisation of, and participating in training programmes for staff, visitors and professional groups such as infection control teams, health care workers, microbiologists and epidemiologists.
- Design materials for, and undertake, teaching/lecturing, both within UKHSA and in external institutions to a range of audiences including post-graduate students, public health specialists, NHS staff and ministerial level foreign dignitaries.
- Undertake peer-review of grants and manuscripts as requested.
Other
- Ensure high-quality, responsive support activities are delivered to stakeholders.
- Contribute to the organisation's strategic and operational goals, aligning with the broader objectives of UKHSA.
- Perform any other duties relevant to the role and within the job grade framework.
- 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 the division and UKHSA.
- It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Essential Criteria
- MSc in Biomedical Sciences or Life Sciences; or equivalent qualification
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences or Life Sciences; or equivalent qualification; or equivalent work experience leading a research service in a microbiology field
- Clinical scientist or Biomedical Scientist Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registration
- Demonstrable expertise/national recognition in the specialist subject area covered by post
- Experience of assessing new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change and improvements in microbiology service delivery
- Knowledge and experience of safety requirements and procedures at level commensurate with the post
- Understands quality assurance principles and procedures and has experience of working within a quality system
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.
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 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 assessing new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change and improvements in microbiology service delivery
- Knowledge and experience of safety requirements and procedures at level commensurate with the post
- Understands quality assurance principles and procedures and has experience of working within a quality system
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 remote interview.
Behaviours, technical and experience will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The title of this will be: From Data to Action: Strengthening Salmonella Laboratory Response Systems.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
Interviews will be held week commencing 10th November 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.
Location
This role is lab based at Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ. Please note that hybrid working is not available with 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 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 ears 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.
