Job summary
- Main area
- Science
- Grade
- AfC Band 6
- Contract
- 2 years (Fixed term contract for 2 years from date of start of contract)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 919-JP-61649909-EXT
- Employer
- UK Health Security Agency
- Employer type
- Public (Non NHS)
- Site
- UKHSA Bristol
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £37,338 - £44,962 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/02/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Biomedical Scientist
AfC Band 6
Job overview
We are looking for a Biomedical Scientist to work in the recently established UKHSA Pathogen Genomics laboratory within the Infection Sciences Department at North Bristol NHS Trust.
The Infection Sciences department at North Bristol NHS Trust is formed from a collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency and North Bristol NHS Trust. This is a busy and forward-looking laboratory that receives in excess of 1.3 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties located within Bristol and Bath hospital trusts, and beyond, which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.
The laboratory is located within North Bristol NHS Trust and is a new, modern and fully automated laboratory incorporating state of the art equipment. It lies within easy reach of the city of Bath and surrounding villages.
We have close links with our host Trusts as well as both Universities in Bristol and the proximity of the motorway network makes an ideal base for travel to London, the Midlands, Wales and the coastal resorts of the Southwest. The UKHSA/NBT collaboration employs approximately 200 staff performing a range of diagnostic, public health and research activities, including high containment level work.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as part of the recently established Bristol laboratory sequencing team, supporting whole genome sequencing service developments and ensuring laboratory outputs are efficient and to the highest standard.
This role will include routine laboratory work, laboratory housekeeping and maintenance, recording and reporting of results and ensuring the work is carried out to high scientific, safety and quality standard. This job will also involve manipulating electronic data to provide information in the correct formats.
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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The key responsibilities will include:
- To undertake a range of sequencing, diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting the needs of UKHSA Bristol service provision.
- To perform targeted NGS methods such as Artic protocol.
- To manipulate data as required by the bioinformatic pipeline.
- Produce and maintain reagents to support current testing strategies and for the development of new assays.
- Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratory's capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
- Supply data to agreed timescales required by service level agreement.
- To conform to the working standards outlined by UKAS ISO 15189 and ISO 9001: 2015.
- Operate a range of equipment, e.g. centrifuges, analysers, safety cabinets, fridges, freezers, liquid handling robots, high throughput sequencers, etc.
- Undertake general laboratory duties including disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
- Act as a laboratory supervisor ensuring equipment is suitably maintained and calibrated and that documentation relevant to the laboratory is kept up to date.
- Comply with waste disposal protocols.
- Deputise as appropriate for senior staff.
- Take responsibility for training and quality policy delivery in a specific bench area of the laboratory.
- To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in virology.
- To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team.
- Operate, maintain, clean and disinfect laboratory equipment safely.
Please see the attached job description for the full list of roles and responsibilities.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
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 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.
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 applications meeting all the essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Relevant professional qualification i.e. registration with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist. Or alternatively, registered with HCPC and actively working towards State Registration, may be considered for a Band 5 role
- Experience of molecular techniques including nucleic acid extraction and PCR
- Knowledge of automated liquid handling
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
All essential and desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description).
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.
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.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (Competency based)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. There will be a presentation.
Interviews will be held week commencing 24th February 2025. 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This is a lab-based roles located at UKHSA Bristol, BS10 5NB. Please note 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 Check.
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
Essential criteria
- Application Form
Statement of Suitability
Essential criteria
- Statement of Suitability
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Degree in a relevant biological science
- Relevant professional qualification i.e. registration with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist. Or alternatively, registered with HCPC and actively working towards State Registration, may be considered for a Band 5 role
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of molecular techniques including nucleic acid extraction and PCR
- Knowledge of automated liquid handling
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
Desirable criteria
- Experience in running NGS Platforms and sequencing services without supervision
- Previously worked in a similar position within the public sector
Skills and Capabilities
Essential criteria
- Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
- Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, networking and persuasive skills
- Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jon Payne
- Job title
- Recruitment Support
- Email address
- [email protected]
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