Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Senior Scientist
Grade
Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Contract
2 years (Fixed term until 31-Dec-2026)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Job share
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
919-KL-40245472-EXT
Employer
UK Health Security Agency
Employer type
Public (Non NHS)
Site
Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG
Town
Salisbury
Salary
£38,724 - £44,393 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/07/2024 23:59

Employer heading

UK Health Security Agency logo

Senior Scientist

Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

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

Are you interested in genomics and infectious diseases? Consider applying for a Senior Research Scientist position based at UKHSA, Porton Down, where you will focus on characterising rare and emerging human pathogens.

In the Pathogen Characterisation group, you'll develop and apply molecular techniques to study the genomes of pathogens. You'll work with advanced sequencing technologies, including Illumina and Nanopore, to produce high-quality genomic data. You will collaborate with clinical and research colleagues to enhance diagnostics, surveillance, and outbreak response efforts.

Candidates should have a background in molecular biology, with experience in viral or bacterial genomics. We are looking for flexible, communicative individuals who are adept at delivering scientific results.

If you're seeking a challenging and fulfilling role in pathogen genomics, we encourage you to apply and join this exciting group.

Main duties of the job

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: 
•    Implement and utilise a range of NGS sample processing methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met. 
•    Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications
•    Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area
•    Provide line management to junior scientists
•    To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
•    To ensure all work is in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems
•    To maintain health and safety competence 
•    To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and the Civil Service Code.
•    To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

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

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.  

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Research & Evaluation department, based at UKHSA Porton, is the UK’s 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) 
  • a  1000 word 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 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 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 (including by definition internal applicants).  

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 merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.  

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

It’s 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 is determined by whichever is the highest.  

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

Person specification

CV

Essential criteria
  • CV

Statement of Suitability

Essential criteria
  • Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

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

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Recruitment Team
Job title
Resourcing Support
Email address
[email protected]
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies