Senior Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Research & Evaluation department, based at UKHSA Porton, is the UKs largest capability for the handling of dangerous human pathogens and animal modelling of infectious diseases. The capability is used to understand pathogenesis and undertake pre-clinical development and assessment of new vaccines and therapeutics.

The capability is also used to undertake studies in microbiological aerobiology, decontamination, and detection, and to develop diagnostic assays for clinical use. Studies are focussed on high priority activities including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Q Fever, Anthrax, Melioidosis, Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease, Tuberculosis, Monkeypox, Influenza, Pertussis, Meningococcal disease, Group B Streptococcal disease, Legionnaires Disease, Healthcare Acquired Infections, Anti-Microbial Resistance, etc. This post is in Pathogen.

We currently have an exciting, fixed term opportunity within the Pathogen Characterisation group where we are seeking to appoint a Senior Research Scientist to support our programmes in the Genomics of Rare and Emerging Human Pathogens at Porton Down. The post holder will work alongside clinical and research colleagues to develop molecular methods and establish further capability to characterise pathogens of interest. Experience of molecular biological methods is essential, previous experience in viral/bacterial NGS using Illumina and Nanopore technology is desirable.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA. It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes

Essential criteria

Experience of two or more of the following:- Molecular biology- Virology- Bacteriology- Genomics- Sequencing BSc/MSc in appropriate discipline Evidence of leading projects / teams Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium, and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales Able to work as part of team and liaise with all levels of staff

Desirable criteria

PhD in an appropriate discipline or equivalent years experience Experience of working at containment level 3 Experience of preparing research manuscripts for publication Knowledge or experience relating to vectors and vector-borne disease

Selection Process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours / Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• a CV/ Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a1000word 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.

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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

Please do not exceed1000words. 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 at Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.

Behaviours, experience and skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Interview dates TBC.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location Information

Please note that Hybrid working is not an option at this site. The location is: Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Working for the Civil Service

TheCivil Service Codesets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by meriton the basis offair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission'srecruitment principles.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:

• life sentences

• arson

• sexual offences

• hate and terror offences

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.

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.

Starting salary

Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants,i.e.level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.

Either case isdeterminedby whichever is the highest.

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment

Person Specification

CV

• CV

Statement of Suitability

• Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

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.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG

Salisbury

SP4 0JG

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency