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Job summary
Higher Toxicologist – Experimental Toxicology
Grade HEO (Outer) - £32,469 to £39,532
UKHSA Chilton
Permanent Contract
2 Roles Available
We are thrilled to announce two captivating openings within the Experimental Toxicology programme! This program engages in cutting-edge research, employing both in vitro and in vivo models. Our primary goal is to explore the effects of chemical exposure and other environmental pollutants on human health, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Additionally, we are committed to advancing test methods for hazard characterization and chemical assessment, aligning with regulatory objectives. Our focus lies on innovative approaches to achieve these goals.
As a Higher Toxicologist, you will collect and prepare samples for analysis as required; provide next generation sequencing support using internal RCE instrumentation or external service providers; maintain computational facilities associated with the analytical tools; be responsible (with others) for the analysis of data from these analytical methods; support communication of this highly specialised work to a range of recipients (e.g. colleagues in UKHSA; University Colleagues; Government agencies/departments; or the public) in an appropriate manner; contribute to peer reviewed publications; and successfully manage their time and priorities.
UKHSA Chilton – opportunity for Hybrid Working
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern – Full Time – 37.5 hours per week
Job description
Responsibilities section:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- To develop in vitro and in vivo models and methods for characterising exposures and toxicity.
- To collect and prepare samples for analysis as required.
- To provide next generation sequencing support using internal RCE instrumentation or external service providers.
- To maintain computational facilities associated with the analytical tools.
- With others to be responsible for the analysis of data from these analytical methods.
- To support communication of this highly specialised work to a range of recipients, e.g. colleagues in PHE; University Colleagues; Government agencies/departments; or the public, in an appropriate manner.
- To ensure that such advice is documented and recorded in readily retrievable form
- When required the post holder will assist in emergency responses and in an emergency situation this work will be considered the primary duty of the post holder.
- The post may involve travel as and when required
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 competencies associated with the post.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
- Degree level qualification in toxicology, molecular biology or other related biological discipline
- Further training to PhD level or equivalent laboratory experience
- Experience of laboratory-based research.
Desirable
- Masters in Toxicology, Bioinformatics or statistics
- Experience of working in in vitro and or in vivo toxicology, or similar area
- Experience of respiratory and or/immunological models of toxicity assessment
- Experience with high throughput sequencing
- Use of statistical analysis
Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve a face to face interview.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
The Competency based framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Technical Skills
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 16th April 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: 26th April 2024
Interviews: w/c 13th May 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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 embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website
