Senior Scientist/Project Team Lead

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Short Summary

Are you passionate about translational research and do you want to make a difference in global health? If so, this is the perfect opportunity to join the Pre-clinical Evaluation Team. The Pre-Clinical Evaluation team sits within the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, investigating high consequence human pathogens. The research focus within the team is to test and develop new treatments and vaccines, develop new assays to advance the testing of vaccines and investigate the use of organ-on-chip technology.

Job description

You will lead a team developing and characterising in vivo models for SARS, MERS and other pre-emergent coronaviruses. The models you develop will be used to assess the effectiveness of a new generation of Betacoronavirus vaccine candidates. These vaccines are designed to provide broad protection against existing and future variants of SARS-CoV-2, other Betacoronaviruses such as MERS, and yet-to-emerge coronaviruses that could spill over into the human population in the future.

You will be part of a larger team of scientists that work on in vivo modelling projects. You will contribute to the vaccine development pathway, from early-stage research through to pivotal studies for vaccine licensure. This team provides advice and direction to UK and international governmental bodies that make policies and guidance as well as ensuring that vaccines and therapeutics are effective against high-consequence pathogens before they progress to human clinical trials.

You will lead your own projects and contribute to other projects collaboratively, both within the team and with external collaborators (e.g. academia, industry, government, and non-governmental agencies). You will be responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities within the Pre-clinical Evaluation Team, working closely with Scientific Leads and Head of Department.

You will have effective communication skills, good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills. Previous experience of managing individuals or a small team, working with external collaborators/customers and/or working at containment level 3 would be desirable although full training and support will be given.

Location

This is a Lab based role at our Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG lab.

*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, Part Time, Flexible Working.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing projects and studies Senior Project Team Leader to meet agreed deadlines.
• Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in supports of all activities associated with the
• Monitor direct reports objectives and performance to ensure project targets are met.
• Taking the responsibility for checking, compiling, presenting, and reporting project data sets to stakeholders including when necessary external customers.
• Lead a project team in identifying, evaluating, and adapting innovative technologies and methodologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Establishing links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
• Support members of the project team to meet their PDP objectives and take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
• Ensuring that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’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: 'Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
• Complying with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
• Participating in all mandatory training as required e.g., fire safety, information governance etc
• identifying, discussing, and actioning own professional performance and training / development needs with line manager
• Performing any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• Undertaking risk assessor role, with associated training and ongoing competency

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties commensurate with your post as assigned by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.