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Location
About the job
Job summary
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.
Short Summary
UKHSA-Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release.
In addition, the center undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufactures a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics.
The Vaccine Development and Evaluation Division at Porton has approximately 250 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases e.g., TB, meningitis, anthrax, plague, and emerging viral diseases.
The TB Vaccine Evaluation Group uses the non-human primate (NHP) model to assess the safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a range of novel vaccines and therapeutics to protect against and treat Tuberculosis, a disease which was responsible for approximately 1.6 million deaths in 2021.
Location
UKHSA, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
You will be involved in the analysis of blood, mucosal and tissue samples to measure the mycobacteria-specific cellular immune response at ACDP Containment Levels 2 & 3 using a range of advanced immunoassays. These will include: ELISPOT assays, multiplex bead array-based technologies and flow cytometry assays for the interrogation of immunological memory and functional markers in innate and adaptive immune cells such as Conventional T-cell and Donor Unrestricted T-cell (DURTs) populations.
You will also be involved in the optimisation and establishment of new methods and technologies for interrogation of vaccine and infection induced immune responses using bio-archive and pre-clinical trial samples.
You will have the opportunity to supervise ACDP2 and/or ACDP3 laboratories, maintaining a safe working environment, assessing risks, and organising the provision of consumables and reagents. There will also be some supervision of junior members of staff.
The successful applicants will be educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area. Education to MSc or PhD level in an appropriate biological science is desirable.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement and utilise a range of methods, assays, and techniques at ACDP containment levels 2 & 3 in support of all activities associated with the TB evaluation group’s projects and to ensure project targets are met.
- Develop, optimise, and apply multiparameter cellular immunology assays for the investigation of mycobacteria-specific T-cell function and phenotype, such as polyfunctional T-cell analysis, T-cell activation, memory and homing phenotypes.
- Apply multiplex bead array technology for the investigation of immune biomarkers as potential correlates of protection.
- Laboratory supervision including responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for project area.
- Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Take responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project as required.
- Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications.
- To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
- To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
- Other
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1,000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential Criteria:
- BSc in relevant subject area, e.g Education to BSc levels in an appropriate biological science. This is a research scientist post and is not a suitable position for those wishing to complete their BMS portfolio and HCPC registration.
- Good communication skills. Able to work flexibly to meet deadlines. Ability to work in teams and independently. Self-motivating, organised, and meticulous. Willing to undertake further training.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable criteria:
- MSc, PhD or a similar level of experience in a relevant area.
- Competency in relevant immunology techniques and methods acquired through previous employment or postgraduate study.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and applying multiparameter flow cytometric assays for the investigation of the cellular immune response and phenotype.
- Competency working at ACDP containment level 3.
- Experience of working with in vivo models of M.tuberculosis, and a detailed knowledge of M.tb infection, immunology, vaccines and therapeutics.
- Experience of complex data analysis, presentations, reports & publication.
- Experience in scientific writing e.g creating reports, and publications. Experience of creating and giving presentations.
- Experience of ACDP2 / ACDP3 laboratory management and/or supervision.
Benefits
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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%.
- Range of health and wellbeing support.
- 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service.
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
Your Statement of Suitability (max 1,000 words) 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).
**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**
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.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This stage will involve an interview by video.
The below behaviours will be tested in the interview:
- Working Together
- Developing Self and Others
- Delivering at Pace
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 25th 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.
Interviews: W/C 22nd April 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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 Standard Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Standard Personnel Security Standard checks.
A standard check is required.
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/
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.
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
