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About the job
Job summary
Sample Officer
Grade EO (National) - £25,976 to £30,264
UKHSA Porton Down
Permanent Contract
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC). The VDEC is a world-class facility that conducts laboratory research to support all stages of vaccine and therapeutic development, from discovery to licensure on a range of emerging health security threats. The Clinical Evaluation team in VDEC played a critical role in the COVID-19 response and is now expanding its scope and impact. As a member of our team, you will help and shape the UK’s vaccine strategy and contribute to the health and economic prosperity of the nation.
We are looking for a Sample Officer to join our Clinical Evaluation Team and contribute delivery of projects related to GXP testing of vaccine candidates in our Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre. The Sample Officer will work in a team responsible for delivering all clinical sample management activities (receipt, processing, provisioning for testing and inventories) within the Clinical Evaluation team. They will also be responsible for ensuring sample management activities and areas comply GxP regulatory and safety requirements.
UKHSA Porton Down – On-Site
*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
Job description
Responsibilities section:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Utilising a range of laboratory methods/assays/techniques in support of sample receipt, processing and management activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- The control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project and documented storage of materials.
- Laboratory housekeeping and supervision.
- Assisting the project team to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Ensuring accurate documentation and tracking of samples and data and laboratory records and correctly following SOPs.
- Supplying samples and data to agreed timescales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations, and publications.
- Performing any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- Ensuring that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA – Porton’s Code of Safety Practice and working within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
- Maintaining health and safety competence to the national occupational standard ‘Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety’ (NOS HSS1)
- Fulfilling the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
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
- Relevant degree or equivalent qualification and/or experience in Biological Sciences
- Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course.
- Previous experience of accurate record keeping (i.e. use of inventories, databases).
- Experience or understanding of working within a regulated environment (g. ISO9001, GCP)
- Good understanding and experience of safe working practices in a laboratory
Desirable
- Previous experience of sample management/reception/processing in a high throughput environment.
- Previous experience and knowledge of specialist technique(s): immunology assays, microbiology, LIMS).
- Experience of laboratory maintenance and supervision
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.
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 success profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Making Effective decisions
- Working Together
- Delivery at pace
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 24th March 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: 27th March 2024
Interviews: w/c 8th April 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.
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.
