Specialist Biomedical Scientist/Specialist Healthcare Scientist

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

• Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
• Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
• Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
• Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
• Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

This is a laboratory-based role within the Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU), primarily focused on providing key support to the Gastrointestinal Health Protection Research Unit (GI HPRU) integrated with service delivery, staff training, and maintaining an excellent Safety and Quality Management System to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct microbiological testing within GBRU to support reference services and surveillance activities.
• Perform data analysis for the GI HPRU, working with genomic and epidemiological datasets to investigate public health threats and research objectives.
• Contribute to research activities, including manuscript preparation for publication and presentation of findings at national and international conferences.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, supporting the translation of research into public health impact.

This role provides an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of reference microbiology, genomic surveillance, and public health research, making a direct impact on the detection and control of gastrointestinal pathogens.

If you are passionate about laboratory science, public health microbiology, and research, we encourage you to apply!

Main duties of the job

botulinum, Escherichia coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, and Vibrio species. GBRU operates at local, regional, national, and international levels to reduce the impact of food, water, and environmentally borne illnesses on public health.

GBRU prioritizes laboratory safety, service excellence, and adherence to accreditation standards to maintain high-quality reference services.

Working for our organisation

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

Outer London HCAS of up to 15% payable if appointed on NHS AfC Band 6.

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

Outer London HCAS of up to 15% payable if appointed on NHS AfC Band 6.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will work within the Foodborne Pathogens Reference Section (FPRS) which provides the National Reference services for Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani, Bacillus cereus and Listeria species.

Post holder will assist the sections senior scientists and the pathogen leads in supporting the GI HPRU and ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the unit.

The post holder will work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes molecular assays, conventional microbiological as well as genomic and proteomic analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimens.

We are seeking a Specialist Healthcare Scientist (HEO) or a Biomedical/Clinical Scientist who is HCPC registered. Applicants must have several years’ experience in a microbiological laboratory, who can provide evidence of Technical, Quality and Safety experience and ideally who is able to analyse data and write reports/manuscripts.

The key responsibilities will include:

• To assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical reference services by GBRU.
• To validate reference and clinical results technically and medically (latter undertaken by HCPC registered BMS only)
• To undertake DNA-based detection, typing and genotypic analysis of data for a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing.
• Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms, outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
• Dealing with customer queries in relation to bacterial isolates and clinical specimens.
• To assist the senior staff in ensuring the section is run and maintained in an effective and economical manner and provide cover in the absence of the senior scientist.
• Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to the unit that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work.
• Writing and updating SOPs, COSHHs and risk assessments, writing reports, manuscripts, presentations and posters.

Health and Safety

In collaboration with the GBRU Safety Officer and complying with UKHSA safety policies and procedures to:

• Ensure that health, safety, and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety, and welfare regarding self, all staff, and visitors in the unit.
• Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.

• Assist in ensuring the GBRU information technology systems are appropriately managed in support the needs of the laboratory and use of LIMS computer system to enter results and compile data.

Quality

In collaboration with the Laboratory Quality Team to:

• Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe effective and economical and follows best practice according to ISO15189 and 17025 standards.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

• Degree in microbiology/biological science or in a relevant subject
• Several years’ experience of working in a routine microbiology laboratory at containment level 2 including good knowledge of molecular and microbiology techniques and principles.
• Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures and has practiced laboratory safety requirements.
• Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
• 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.
• Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis.

Desirable Criteria:

• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.

Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 6. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at HEO (Higher Executive Officer) grade.

Selection Process

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

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

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.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

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

Please note that only those applications that meet all essential criteria will be put through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Several years’ experience of working in a routine microbiology laboratory at containment level 2 including good knowledge of molecular and microbiology techniques and principles.
• Degree in Microbiology or relevant science subject or equivalent

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and 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

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

There will be a presentation.

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

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Changing and improving
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Location

This role is being offered as lab based in Colindale, NW9 5EQ. Please note that 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 Checks.

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

Statement of Suitability

• Statement of Suitability

Application form

• Application Form

Behaviour

• Changing and improving
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.

You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.

Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.

Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.

Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.

If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

• Generous annual leave:
• 26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
• 28 days after 5 years of continuous service
• 32 days after 10 years of continuous service
• Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
• We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.

Hybrid Working

UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.

Disability Confident Scheme

If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.

To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.

An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.

This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:

Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police Check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.