Laboratory Services Supervisor

Grade and Salary: HEO (National) £30,473 - £37,215

Are you an experienced laboratory professional with a passion for quality in radioanalytical sciences? Do you have the skills and knowledge to lead a team of technicians in a fast-paced and dynamic environment? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for the Laboratory Services Supervisor position in the Operational Services Department at the UK Health Security Agency.

UKHSA is an industry leader in radiation protection providing a national emergency response capability and servicing a wide range of commercial clients. We are looking for a Laboratory Services Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of our operational services laboratory facilities in Leeds and Chilton (Oxfordshire) and ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Science degree or its equivalent in a relevant science discipline, or relevant experience in the scientific support of radiation protection services or projects
• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Capable of working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements
• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines and to prioritise the workload
• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations
• A proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software applications

Location

Based at UKHSA Cookridge, Leeds - due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to be based on-site on a full-time basis.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Job Description:

As a Laboratory Services Supervisor, you will be responsible for:

• Supervision of the department’s radiometric laboratories and personal dosimetry services at the Leeds and Chilton locations

• Shared responsibility for the acquisition and maintenance of the ISO 17025 standard for the dosimetry services

• Acting as the quality manager for the department’s RPA-body management arrangements

• Supervision and training of laboratory staff

• Contributing to the commercial services of the department

• Specialised scientific projects

• Providing emergency response support

• Scientific analysis of gamma spectrometry measurements, metrology data, and the output of other specialised scientific equipment and reporting results, either to other OSD staff, or to external clients

• Routine maintenance checks on specialised laboratory facilities, and confirmation of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems

• Measurement of radiation fields, radiochemistry, and laboratory work as appropriate

• Assessment of radiation facilities on the premises of clients, and writing of technical reports incorporating the results of any measurements together with recommendations for safe working etc

• Troubleshooting and resolving any technical or quality issues that may arise in the laboratory

Many of these duties will entail working alone and unsupervised. The postholder will be expected to carry out accurate scientific work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and comment on and develop new standing operating procedures where appropriate. This will require a good level of knowledge and technical skill.

The postholder will be responsible for the use and maintenance of complex scientific equipment and will use a range of IT software including databases and software developed in house. These may be used for record keeping and the calculation of scientific information.

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.

Essential criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria

Essential:

• Science degree or its equivalent in a relevant science discipline, or relevant experience in the scientific support of radiation protection services or projects

• Knowledge of Microsoft office packages, especially Work, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams

• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation

• Capable of working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements

• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines and to prioritise the workload

• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate or on-the-job experience

• Membership of professional body, eg Society for Radiological Protection

• Good knowledge of radiation protection and radiometric principles

In addition, it would be desirable for you to have:

• Postgraduate or on-the-job experience

• Membership of professional body, eg Society for Radiological Protection

• Good knowledge of radiation protection and radiometric principles

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.

For full job description and further details, please click Apply Now.