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Prif leoliad
Diagnostics
Gradd
Civil Service: Executive Officer (EO)
Contract
Cyfnod Penodol: 6 mis (to 31 March 2026 only)
Oriau
  • Llawnamser
  • Rhan-amser
  • Rhannu swydd
  • Gweithio hyblyg
37.5 awr yr wythnos
Cyfeirnod y swydd
919-CG-308800-EXT
Cyflogwr
UK Health Security Agency
Math o gyflogwr
Public (Non NHS)
Gwefan
Porton Down
Tref
Salisbury
Cyflog
£27,275 - £31,778 per annum, pro rata
Cyfnod cyflog
Yn flynyddol
Yn cau
01/10/2025 23:59

Teitl cyflogwr

UK Health Security Agency logo

Diagnostic Technician Scientist

Civil Service: Executive Officer (EO)

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.

Trosolwg o'r swydd

The Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation department is based at Porton and has approximately 130 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving pathogen characterisation; virology and pathogenesis; diagnostics, innovation and evaluation, and biosafety and environmental microbiology. The department is part of the UKHSA ambition to be world-leading in capabilities and contribution to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. 

The Diagnostic Accelerator requires staffing, expertise, and capabilities to deliver diagnostics for pandemic preparedness. The work will focus on the rapid development of diagnostics, in response to and to be better prepared for, outbreaks of new and emerging pathogens. The accelerator will collaborate with external commercial and /or academic partners, as well as with other teams in the division, across Science Group within UKHSA. Externally the function will work with academia, commercial diagnostic firms, HMG, FIND, CEPI, WHO, BMGF, USG and other bodies to support the development, regulatory approval and deployment of diagnostics.  The function will also work closely with Standards, Regulatory and Quality Assurance directorate to ensure compliance with all appropriate national and international regulations.

Prif ddyletswyddau'r swydd

We have an exciting opportunity to appoint a Technician Scientist to the Diagnostic Accelerator team. The successful candidate will work as part of a team on scientific and technical projects that require serological, molecular, or antigenic techniques to be utilised.

The post holder will:

  • Support the wider project team in the analysis and evaluation of commercial assays contributing to the delivery of new/improved/refined diagnostic assays for pandemic preparedness / outbreak response for use in UKHSA, NHS or other diagnostic labs.
  • Undertake training to support the provision of surge capacity in the event of an outbreak. Working under the direction of the senior scientists and with the diagnostic research scientists, you will complete tasks for projects ensuring the scientific objectives of the team and department are met.
  • Have excellent communication and organisational skills and use their prior laboratory experience to support successfully project delivery.

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

  • Under the direction of senior scientists, utilise a range of molecular, serological and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
  • Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
  • Ensure data produced is of a high scientific standard ready to be utilised in project reports and presentations.
  • Undertake training to deputise for the diagnostic research scientists in the supervision of CL2 laboratories and support the completion of housekeeping duties in line with site specific procedures.
  • Provide support to other laboratory staff, ensuring appropriate consumables and reagents are available for project delivery.
  • To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
  • To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
  • To maintain health and safety competence.
  • To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
  • To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

Essential criteria:

  • Degree in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent experience of working with a number of relevant analytical techniques in a suitable laboratory with personal responsibility for the quality of results produced. 
  • Knowledge with some prior experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses such as Real-time PCR, ELISA, LFD
  • Experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens using techniques including nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR and antigen preparation.
  • Some prior experience of working with clinical samples and commercial diagnostic tests.
  • Knowledge with some experience of working within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO 9001;ISO15189, GLP, UKAS).
  • Experience of working as part of a successful team with respect to project delivery.
  • Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable criteria:

  • Some experience in working at ACDP CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens including culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation.
  • Experience with use of molecular automation including point of care devices, extraction and real-time PCR platforms.
  • Awareness of laboratory risk and COSHH assessment and audit.
  • Experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests.
  • HCPC registration (Biomedical Scientist, Clinical Scientist)

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and strengths.

Stage 1: Application & Sift  

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 7 essential criteria listed in the job advert; this will be in the form of:

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

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria  
  • Meets some essential criteria  
  • Meets no essential criteria 

The pile that ‘Meets all the essential criteria’ will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: 

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

  • Knowledge with some prior experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses such as Real-time PCR, ELISA, LFD

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

Please do not exceed 750 words on your supporting statement. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. 

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please note that 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.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview 

Success profiles 

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

Behaviours and Strengths will be assessed at interview.

The behaviours testing during the interview stage will be:

  • Delivering at pace (Lead behaviour)
  • Making effective decisions 
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together

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 at our Scientific Campus in Porton. 

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 Check.  

If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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.

Manyleb y person

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Delivering at pace (Lead behaviour)
  • Making effective decisions
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together

Strengths

Meini prawf hanfodol
  • Strengths

Bathodynnau ardystio / achredu cyflogwyr

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Rhagor o fanylion / cyswllt ar gyfer ymweliadau anffurfiol

Enw
Carmelita Goodwin
Teitl y swydd
Resourcing Support
Cyfeiriad ebost
[email protected]
Gwybodaeth i gefnogi eich cais

For more information about the role, or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact the Hiring Manager, Melanie Amphlett via [email protected] or Darren Eames via [email protected] or Gillian Rodger via [email protected]

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