Job responsibilities
- To critically assess toxicity data on chemicals
- To provide advice on the health effects and risk assessments of chemicals in drinking water, land and waste processes, and communicate this advice in a manner appropriate to the recipient
- To provide advice on the public health impacts of chemical regulation in collaboration with UK Government departments
- To provide advice on the use of human biomonitoring in public health protection
- To contribute to the development of the scientific content for the UKHSA Compendium of Chemical Hazards and a public-facing website to provide information in the potential health risks from chemicals.
- To contribute to the General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programmes advice to Government Departments and Agencies on contamination of land and water, and from waste processes
Other - To support the work of the Government independent expert advisory committees, where relevant to the work of the Group.
The job entails working within the General Toxicology and Biomonitoring programme to provide advice on the health effects of chemicals in drinking water, contaminated land and from waste processes. The team works closely with the regional RCCE chemicals teams in England and Wales, providing advice and support during contamination incidents involving chemicals. The post holder will get the opportunity to input in various aspects of the groups work and provide toxicological advice as necessary to support the work of UKHSA. They will also be required to have toxicological experience in chemical risk assessment, national chemicals regulation or human biomonitoring, to develop advice in these areas as necessary to support the work of UKHSA.
Management Duties: - To manage members of staff as necessary, monitoring their performance and undertaking their appraisal.
- Manages research contracts and projects undertaken by the group, department and RCCE.
- Under emergency situations, manage the delivery of expert advice in a timely manner.
Training Duties:
- To be responsible for on-going training of staff.
- To supervise on-the-job training of staff.
- To assist in the training of other UKHSA staff and external staff.
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 the directorate.
Essential Criteria:
- Masters qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area
- Knowledge and practical experience of chemical risk assessment, or regulatory toxicology, or exposure science and human biomonitoring
- Awareness of broad public health and environmental issues
- Experience of managing, mentoring, or training
- Good scientific report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
- Ability to establish good working relationships
- Ability to meet deadlines, and plan work over short, medium and long-term timeframes
- Self-reliant and self-motivating
- Ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable Criteria:
- Relevant detailed specialist knowledge
- Inclusion in UK Register of Toxicologists
- Experience in public health or industry
- Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
- Able to handle difficult situations
- Able to deal with media enquiries
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
Competency-based
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 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.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If longlisting is used, the pile meets all essential criteria and meets some essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may complete an initial sift on the lead criteria of:
- Masters qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area
- Knowledge and practical experience of chemical risk assessment, or regulatory toxicology, or exposure science and human biomonitoring
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 & 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
Competency based
You will be invited to a single face to face interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
You will be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to those candidates invited to interview.
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
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.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton (Didcot). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week prorata, averaged over a month) based at Chilton (Didcot).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of 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.
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Face to Face Interviews
In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
