Job Title : Senior Biomedical Scientist Salary & Grade: SEO £40,876 to £45,998 (Inner London) Location: UKHSA Colindale Office Permanent Position
In response to threats to business-as-usual (BAU) service delivery and enhanced incidents it is the role of the Operational Response Team (ORT) to be deployed to support Reference Service Units and the RSD operations team. The scale of this response will be identified by the Operational Technical Manager (TM), the Deputy Director for Reference Services Division, Head of Technical Services and Head of Business Operations.
The post holder will provide resilience to the bacteriology or virology reference departments in times of need, which include national incidents or threats to BAU activity. When not deployed during an incident, the post holder will concentrate on training, maintaining competency and development of skills required to assist in future incidents.
Location
UKHSA Colindale Office, you’ll be expected to be in the office full time as the role is lab-based. 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, Job Share, Flexible Working.
Responsibilities section: As the Senior Biomedical Scientist your main responsibilities will include: • The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: • Ensure the smooth running of the Reference laboratories Colindale and host unit. • Lead and develop relevant incident activities. • Provide sufficient cover to the reference/diagnostic and incident services. • Technical management of the host unit reference/diagnostic and incident services when required. • Responsible for providing an efficient, effective and timely management of workload, ensuring sufficient staffing levels. • Provide professional leadership for those members of staff for whom s/he is accountable, leading the staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member. • Prepare advice and proposals that contribute to innovations that enhance the effectiveness of the work and to short and long term UKHSA objectives.
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: We are looking for an exceptional Senior Biomedical Scientist. 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 following criteria:
Essential • HCPC State registration (or a demonstrable plan to achieve registration within 6 months) and maintains professional competence. • BSc in biomedical sciences or equivalent OR Relevant higher degree (MSc/PhD) in Medical Microbiology/Virology/Molecular microbiology • Good in-depth knowledge of clinical and reference microbiology • Experience and understanding of scientific principles of molecular assays including PCR and sequencing technologies, and serological assays • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable
• Relevant management training and qualification. • Experience of liaising with different stakeholders. • IT / LIMS systems – familiarity with database software and preparation of queries
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
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
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and a Statement of Suitability of 750 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – 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 an interview by video or Face-to-face. 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.
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on the 19th of February 2023 – 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: 20th February 2023 Interviews: w/c 6th March 2023
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. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
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/
