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UK Health Security Agency

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Undergraduate Placement Student

The closing date is 27 March 2026

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Job summary

UKHSA, Colindale is offering work placement opportunities to second year undergraduates studying an IBMS accredited Biomedical Science or Healthcare Science (Life Science) degree (Hons).

This is an exciting opportunity, offering a 50-week placement in one of the laboratories within Public Health Microbiology, Colindale. During your placement you will have the opportunity to complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio for the Certificate of Competence, leading to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Biomedical Scientist.

During your placement you will have the opportunity to attend the in-house tutorial programme, seminars, scientific meetings and courses held on-site. It is an opportunity to enhance your scientific and technical skills and knowledge, writing and personal skills such as communication, team working and time-management.

Note: Vaccinations will be required for some of these roles, as per the individual job hazard profiles.

Main duties of the job

Your main duties will include:

  • Process specimens received and undertake the related tasks in the various sections of the laboratory, leading to the reporting and interpretation of results in accordance with agreed policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Contribute to the proper storage and management of the laboratory specimens
  • Keeping accurate, legible and up-to-date records of work carried out in the laboratory
  • Contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance
  • To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance as well as the in-house tutorial programme
  • Daily duties and responsibilities will vary depending on unit

This is not an exhaustive list.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,613 to £30,266 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-JP-30939-EXT

Job locations

Scientific Campus

Colindale, London

NW9 5WQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential role criteria:

  • Registered on an IBMS-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) degree
  • Currently in second year of study
  • Has an interest in microbiology
  • Has an interest in a career as a biomedical scientist

Desirable role:

  • Has awareness of the duties of a biomedical scientist
  • Has awareness of the role of the HCPC
  • Has an understanding of the work carried out at UKHSA, Colindale
  • Experienced in using equipment commonly found in a microbiology laboratory
  • Good standard of written communication
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.
  • Able to follow instructions written and oral
  • Good time keeping
  • Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner
  • Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public

Selection criteria

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths, 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 750 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 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 words.

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:

  • Registered on an IBMS-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) degree
  • Currently in second year of study

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: Technical Assessment

You will complete an online assessment designed to evaluate your understanding of microbiology techniques and relevant professional bodies. The assessment will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Technical assessments will be held week commencing 6th April 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change.

If you pass this assessment, you will proceed to the final interview.

Feedback will be provided at this stage.

Stage 3: Interview

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

Behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Developing Self and Others (Lead behaviour)
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

Interviews will be held week commencing 27th April, 2026. 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 UKHSA Colindale, 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 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential role criteria:

  • Registered on an IBMS-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) degree
  • Currently in second year of study
  • Has an interest in microbiology
  • Has an interest in a career as a biomedical scientist

Desirable role:

  • Has awareness of the duties of a biomedical scientist
  • Has awareness of the role of the HCPC
  • Has an understanding of the work carried out at UKHSA, Colindale
  • Experienced in using equipment commonly found in a microbiology laboratory
  • Good standard of written communication
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.
  • Able to follow instructions written and oral
  • Good time keeping
  • Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner
  • Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public

Selection criteria

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths, 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 750 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 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 words.

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:

  • Registered on an IBMS-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science or Healthcare Science (Life Sciences) degree
  • Currently in second year of study

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: Technical Assessment

You will complete an online assessment designed to evaluate your understanding of microbiology techniques and relevant professional bodies. The assessment will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Technical assessments will be held week commencing 6th April 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change.

If you pass this assessment, you will proceed to the final interview.

Feedback will be provided at this stage.

Stage 3: Interview

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

Behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Developing Self and Others (Lead behaviour)
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

Interviews will be held week commencing 27th April, 2026. 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 UKHSA Colindale, 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 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

Technical assessment

Essential

  • Technical assessment

Behaviours

Essential

  • Developing Self and Others (Lead behaviour)
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form and supporting statement

Technical assessment

Essential

  • Technical assessment

Behaviours

Essential

  • Developing Self and Others (Lead behaviour)
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

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).

Additional information

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

Scientific Campus

Colindale, London

NW9 5WQ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Colindale, London

NW9 5WQ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Officer

Jon Paune

jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

12 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,613 to £30,266 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-JP-30939-EXT

Job locations

Scientific Campus

Colindale, London

NW9 5WQ


Privacy notice

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