Specialist Cell Culture Scientist (Virology Toolkit)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria:

• Educated to degree level in a Life Sciences subject
• Post-graduate experience in Cell Culture, QRT PCR and Gene Expression Analysis
• Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for project
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of having worked within a regulated environment. (e.g. ISO9001)
• Breadth of experience covering all aspects of post requirements
• Experience of lab supervision

Selection Process Detail

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience, Technical Skills and Strengths.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 5 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.

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. Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

Those falling into the 'Meets all essential criteria' pile will progress to shortlisting.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

• Educated to degree level in a Life Sciences subject
• Good knowledge and practical familiarity with techniques for project

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

Success profiles

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Technical Skills and Strengths will be tested at interview.

You will be expected to prepare and present a 5 to 10 minute presentation during the interview. This will be based on:

• The establishment of a cell culture based gene expression workflow using QRT PCR.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Delivering at pace (Lead behaviour)
• Working together
• Manging a quality service
• Communicating and influencing

You will also be asked strength based questions.

Interviews dates are yet 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Salary

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 todemonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Porton, Wiltshire.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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-terrorist Check.

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.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.

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Delivering atpace (Lead behaviour)
• Working together
• Manging a quality service
• Communicating and influencing

Technical Skills

Essential

• Presentation - (The establishment of a cell culture based gene expression workflow using QRT PCR)

Strengths

Essential

• Strength based questions

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Laboratory

Porton

SP4 0JG

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)