Neidio i'r prif gynnwys
Arhoswch, yn llwytho

Crynodeb o'r swydd

Prif leoliad
Science and Engineering
Gradd
NHS AfC: Band 7
Contract
Cyfnod Penodol: 30 mis (Fixed term appointment/loan/secondment until 31/03/2029)
Oriau
  • Llawnamser
  • Rhan-amser
  • Rhannu swydd
37.5 awr yr wythnos
Cyfeirnod y swydd
919-JI-633002141-EXT
Cyflogwr
UK Health Security Agency
Math o gyflogwr
Public (Non NHS)
Gwefan
Scientific Campus
Tref
Porton
Cyflog
£49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum, Pro Rata
Cyfnod cyflog
Yn flynyddol
Yn cau
15/10/2026 23:59

Teitl cyflogwr

UK Health Security Agency logo

Senior Biomedical Scientist – Safety & Training Lead

NHS AfC: Band 7

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods.

We provide scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public’s health and build the nation’s health security capability.

UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Trosolwg o'r swydd

As a category 1 responder UKHSA has a critical responsibility to scale laboratory diagnostic capacity within the first 6 weeks of an emerging threat with epidemic or pandemic potential. One way in which this will be delivered is through a new standby semi-automated and high throughput PCR testing facility at our Porton Down scientific campus. We are therefore looking for HCPC registered Senior Biomedical Scientists to lead validation and implementation of this vital capability.

Successful applicants will join a new team, Amplify, within the Diagnostic and Pathogen Characterisation Division and work alongside colleagues in the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory and Diagnostic Development and Implementation team. You will be responsible for developing a new testing facility to meet ISO 15189 accreditation standards ensuring validation, maintenance and implementation of responsive, adaptable high throughput molecular testing workflows. The Post Holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project area, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience to ensure the service is delivered on time and remains ready to respond. This will include changing patterns of work to include out of hours shifts when incident or outbreak response mode is activated and research and training delivery in support of wider organisational priorities.

Prif ddyletswyddau'r swydd

In this you will:

  • Fulfil the role of Laboratory Safety Officer for this facility.
  • Oversee co-ordination and delivery of team training requirements, ensuring compliance with HCPC, ISO15189 and UKHSA standards.
  • Assist in the evaluation, validation and implementation of diagnostic assays and high throughput testing workflows to enable delivery of a new ISO 15189 accredited testing facility.
  • Perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of testing provision within UKHSA. This will include diagnostic testing and sub-contracted testing for research activities.
  • Prioritise, co-ordinate, and supervise the workload staff, including line management responsibilities, to maintain standards and ensure the delivery of a critical diagnostic capability.
  • Undertake general laboratory duties such as the disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
  • Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post.
  • Participate in out of hours rota to provide increased testing capacity when required.

Continues below

Gweithio i'n sefydliad

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

Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

  • As Laboratory Safety Officer the post holder will have delegated authority for the supervision and management of laboratory safety, ensuring compliance with required standards, policies, regulation and legislation. This will include review and authorisation of laboratory policies, protocols and safety documentation.

The post holder will also:

  • Fulfil the role of training officer, overseeing the co-ordination and delivery of training activities within the department, ensuring the needs of HCPC registered and non-registered team members are met, and that both HCPC and UKHSA standards and policies are complied with.
  • Contribute to the design and scheduling of training courses to other UKHSA teams and external scientists as required.
  • Assist in the evaluation, validation and implementation of diagnostic assays as required to meet the needs of the testing service.
  • Assist in the adaptation, evaluation and validation of technologies compatible with high throughput testing to enhance the facility’s capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
  • Perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of testing provision within UKHSA. This will include diagnostic testing with result validation and sub-contracted testing for research activities.
  • Participate in out of hour testing rotas to ensure provision of sufficient testing capacity during outbreaks and/or incident response.
  • Line manage junior team members, and ensure effective prioritisation, co-ordination and supervision of work.
  • Deputise as appropriate for senior staff and act as head BMS in the absence of the facility manager.
  • Supply data to agreed timescales and as required by project contracts and service level agreements.
  • Undertake general laboratory duties including disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
  • Maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment.
  • Fulfil all training requirements as required for the post, including subsequent maintenance of required competencies.
  • Maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.
  • Ensure all work in undertaken in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within ISO15189 quality standards.
  • Ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times.
  • Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
  • Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Facility Manager.
  • Fully engage with the performance process, including objective setting and preparing for performance conversations, as described on the UKHSA intranet.
  • Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
  • Comply with all UKHSA policy and procedures.
  • Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade

Essential criteria

  • Degree in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline.
  • MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science or equivalent relevant experience
  • Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.
  • Substantive experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory accredited to ISO 15189 standards.
  • Experience as a laboratory safety officer in a diagnostic virology or microbiology laboratory.
  • Experience in creating, reviewing and authorising safety documents for new laboratory processes and protocols, including chemical and equipment review.
  • Experience in leading and managing teams and/or projects ensuring delivery of organisational and departmental goals, with the ability to organise own workload and of those staff often working to tight deadlines.
  • Strong communication skills, resilience and ability to work at pace to ensure delivery of a highly responsive diagnostic service with 24/7 on-call capability

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience of overseeing training in an ISO 15189 accredited diagnostic laboratory.
  • Knowledge and experience of handling high hazard pathogens, including Hazard Group 3, SAPO and CTSA agents.

Selection Process Details 

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift   

Success Profiles - GOV.UK  

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:   

  • Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)  
  • 1000 word supporting statement.   

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.   
  
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 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 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   

If used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.  

Shortlisting:  

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of: 

  • Experience as a laboratory safety officer in a diagnostic virology or microbiology laboratory.

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.    

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.  

Stage 2: Interview  

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK  

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our site in Porton. 

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. 

Behaviours and Technical skills will be tested at interview in the form of questions. 

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: 

  • Lead behaviour - Managing a quality service
  • Changing and improving
  • Delivering at pace
  • Making effective decisions 

Interview dates are to be confirmed.  

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

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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton, Salisbury. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this position.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is (CTC) Counter-Terrorist Check

When based at our scientific campus, 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.

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. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Manyleb y person

Application form and supporting statement

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Application form and supporting statement

Interview - Behaviours

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Managing a quality service
  • Changing and improving
  • Delivering at pace
  • Making effective decisions

Interview

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Questions on Technical skills

Bathodynnau ardystio / achredu cyflogwyr

Purple SpaceApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Carer Confident -AccomplishedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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Gwneud cais ar-lein nawr

Rhagor o fanylion / cyswllt ar gyfer ymweliadau anffurfiol

Enw
John Inglis
Teitl y swydd
Resourcing Officer
Cyfeiriad ebost
[email protected]
Gwybodaeth i gefnogi eich cais

If you need to ask questions regarding this role you can also email [email protected]

Gwneud cais ar-lein nawrAnfonwch hysbysiadau ataf am swyddi gwag tebyg