Senior Clinical Fellow NMRS

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to work within UKHSAs world-leading National Mycobacterial Reference Service (NMRS). The department works in close collaboration with NHS and public health colleagues. This post is NOT recognised for training purposes but will provide valuable experience in clinical and laboratory microbiology, advanced laboratory techniques, public health investigation of outbreaks. The post offers excellent opportunities for developing research interests in the field of tuberculosis and/ or non-tuberculous mycobacteria and offers an example of the implementation of pathogen genomics for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease for those in training in the speciality. Training will be provided appropriate to the background of the applicant. The post-holder will be expected to contribute, with the support of senior colleagues, to the routine clinical functioning of the laboratory.

This will include, but is not limited to: Advising clinical and public health colleagues on the selection of diagnostic tests and interpretation of results (molecular, genomic and conventional). Clinical authorisation of results and participation in weekly multidisciplinary meetings to discuss complex cases and laboratory results. Initiation of and participation in clinical audit. Liaison with public health teams in outbreaks and incidents Postgraduate teaching of medical and biomedical scientist trainees In addition, dependent on the post-holders experience and interests, there will be opportunities to participate in tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria outpatient clinics, TB cohort reviews and other clinical activities by arrangement. Ensuring that the epidemiology, surveillance and monitoring of communicable disease covered by your service is of the highest standard.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Education and DevelopmentThe post holder is required to: Meet regularly with their Clinical supervisors and maintain their training portfolio Be subject to annual appraisal, if appropriate. Attend Laboratory induction and training appropriate to working in a clinical role within a CL3 laboratory Participate in mandatory training for Health and Safety and Clinical Governance appropriate for the role.Clinical GovernanceThe post holder is required to: Maintain personal professional accreditation/registration. Be fully aware of the requirements of Clinical Governance, Patient Confidentiality and Patient Safety and to ensure that the service operates within these standards. Be responsible for the provision of expert input into the quality agenda for your Service, including influencing and delivering the Clinical Governance agenda. Inform and challenge established specialist opinion and public health management on the basis of specialist knowledge, expertise and best practice examples.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details and the full essential criteria for the role.

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

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.

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 Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a (1500) word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Applicants must have full registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC).

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered .

Stage 2: Interview (Competency-based)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview .

Interviews will be held week commencing 16th February 2026. Please note, this date is 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.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus at Colindale or at our lab in Birmingham. Please indicate your preference on your application.

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 pro rata, (averaged over a month).

As the role is based at one of our scientific campuses or labs, 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.

Person Specification

Application Form & Statement of Suitability

Essential

• Essential Criteria

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Birmingham Public Health Laboratory or Colindale, London / Hybrid

Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, or 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ

Birmingham

B9 5SS

Employer's website

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