Healthcare Scientist - Colindale

Job Introduction

The UK Health Security Agency exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific and delivery expertise and support.

The end date for this role will be 31/3/24.

Main Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• To follow agreed protocols and policies in accordance with the UKHSA policies and procedures.
• Perform manual and automated laboratory techniques following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with expertise in molecular based methods and techniques.
• To participate and support molecular routine service delivery within the remit of the unit.
• To understand and carry out all aspects of respiratory virus sample processing and inactivation, extraction, PCR and/or sequencing.
• To run the service autonomously when required, including development and optimisation of services and organisation of workflows
• To ensure the smooth flow of samples through the laboratory, from receipt to testing.
• To carry out routine quality control procedures to ensure that samples are being prepared, processed, recorded and archived to a high standard.
• To maintain equipment, including routine monitoring, calibration and safety checks and maintain records of these.
• To facilitate the day to day running of the laboratory by ensuring the availability of stock and reagents.
• To encourage the development of a flexible team by supporting training, development and rotation.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria:

Degree in a relevant biological science

Ability to work unsupervised in all areas of the microbiology laboratory. Accuracy in all tasks.

Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Able to work alone, to organise workload, and to organise and train less qualified, or less experienced, staff and to plan day-to-day organisation of area of work.

Good understanding and experience of working to a quality system e.g. UKAS ISO15189 and GCP and safe working practices.