Senior Scientist/Project Team Lead

Fixed Term Contract - 2 Years

Grade and Salary: SEO (National) £38,724 - £44,393

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Essential Criteria

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential:

• PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years’ postgraduate experience (virology, in vivo modelling)
• Good understanding and experience of analytical methods that are relevant to the project area e.g., bioassays, immunological assays and/or virological assays to support models of infection.
• Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff.
• Experience of complex data analysis, presentations, reports, and publications.
• Demonstrable experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g., GCP, ISO9001) and undergoing audits.
• Strong communicator capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
• Skills in networking with the ability to nurture and maintain key relationships both within the organisation and with external customers.
• Ability to prioritise the workload of the team and anticipate the needs of the projects you manage to ensure that project targets and deadlines are met.
• Ability to exercise good judgement in solving problems and making effective decisions, using knowledge, intuition, and comprehensive situational awareness.
• Excellent team working skills with the ability to motivate and support the project team to effectively complete project objectives as well as their own personal development objectives.
• Ability to cope, and help others cope, with uncertainty, change and often tight timelines. Be adaptable and work flexibly to meet deadlines.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of practices and principles of working at ADCP containment level 3.
• Demonstrable experience/knowledge of holding a named role(s) under Home Office regulations.

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