Job responsibilities
The main duties will include:
- Develop and implement recommendations for pathological analysis. To be aware of scientific trends and assist UKHSA Porton in anticipating future technique/skill requirements in the field of comparative anatomical, clinical and histopathology.
- Provide scientific advice and leadership to projects requiring pathology and histopathology input.
- Prepare, supply and assist in the submission of project proposals, reports and publications.
- Take lead responsibility on the provision of new technologies, and key reagents required for the projects and documented provenance of materials generated
- To liaise with the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) and the Biological Services Group (BSG) regularly to strengthen departmental links and to advise and help implement comparative anatomical, clinical and histopathological guidance and methodologies into all stages of current and future study designs (ante-mortem, necropsy and post-mortem).
- Establishing links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
- Assist senior colleagues, leading where necessary in developing scientific and technical strategy for the Pathology Department, identifying new opportunities as they arise and responding to funding calls or customer enquiries.
- Provide reports as required and lead on preparation of presentations, publications and liaison via teleconferences with stakeholders.
- Where appropriate, represent UKHSA Porton Down through the presentation of data at external conferences and meetings
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
- To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site, as well as to regulatory GxP requirements when required for regulatory compliant studies.
- To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1).
- To fulfil the requirements of UKHSAs Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade.
- To achieve and maintain own and teams health and safety competence set out in national occupational standard Identify, assess and control health and safety risks.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
This is not an exhaustive list.
Essential role criteria
- Veterinary degree and MRCVS (or registrable veterinary degree with RCVS)
- PhD in a veterinary, medical or biological sciences
- Specialist knowledge with veterinary pathology techniques development and evaluation
- Must be able to communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
- Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
- Experience of complex data analysis, presentations, reports and publications.
- Demonstrable experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. GLP, ISO9001)
- Strong communicator capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
- Skills in networking with the ability to nurture and maintain key relationships both within the organisation and with external customers.
- Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Ability to make informed decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales
- Ability to exercise good judgement in solving problems and making effective decisions, using knowledge, intuition and comprehensive situational awareness.
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
- Ability to cope, and help others cope, with uncertainty, change and often tight timelines. Be adaptable and work flexibly to meet deadlines.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable role criteria:
- Recognised in own field of research through publication record in peer review journals and/or as expert referee/panel member
- Knowledge and experience of practices and principles of working at ADCP containment level 3
- Experience working in the field of laboratory animal science
- Specialist experience in digital imaging, multiplex staining techniques and molecular pathology
- Demonstrable experience/knowledge of holding a named role(s) under Home Office regulations
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
- Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours , strengths, technical skills/ability and experience.
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 1250 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.
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). Please do not email us your CV.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250 words. We will not consider any words over 1250 words.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria (Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.)
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Veterinary degree and MRCVS (or registrable veterinary degree with RCVS)
- PhD in a veterinary, medical or biological sciences
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 and assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, strengths, technical skills/ability and experience will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 5 - 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The subject of the presentation will be: 'My view of the present and future roles of comparative pathology within global health.'
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working at Pace
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews dates are to be confirmed.
Location
This role is being offered as on-site at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Applicants should meet the nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. The level of NSV required for this role is Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC).
In order to be eligible to apply for CTC, it is recommended that you have resided continuously in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to your application. However, in exceptional circumstances, an application might be considered if it does not meet these requirements, so applicants who do not meet nationality and residency requirements are still welcome to apply.
Nationality Requirements
Attached to this advert you will see a CIVIL SERVICE NATIONALITY RULES document. This is attached to all of our adverts, but please note this role is not restricted by the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Applications are welcome from individuals of any nationality, provided they have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Please note that you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work during the recruitment process.
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.
