The Food, Water and Environmental (FW&E) Microbiology Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment.
The London FW&E Laboratory provides a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities, hospitals and commercial clients across London, Southeast England and Midlands Regions. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and is recognised as an Official Laboratory for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU.
The post holder will act as a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner and provide a technical service to local authorities (LAs) and commercial clients for the diagnostic testing of Food, Water and Environmental samples as an aid to the investigation of outbreaks, food poisoning and routine control. They will perform basic and more complex investigations providing specialised testing using complex equipment.
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Service Delivery
Participate in the provision of an analytical service, including the production of accurate and relevant results and reports.
Participate in the provision of an analytical microbiology service for food, water and environmental samples, including the production of accurate and relevant results and reports
Assist with the supervision of the day-to-day running of the FW&E laboratory
Work independently or as part of a team (under guidance) to undertake the full microbiological analysis of a wide range of samples, including test selection, in accordance with laboratory and customer requirements.
Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of more senior staff and report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
Assist other team members in all aspects of technical work and take on delegated responsibilities from more senior staff.
Assist in the management of outbreaks, ensuring adequate resources are available to carry out the necessary work.
Liaise with medical, scientific, and other staff of the UKHSA in all matters of common interest
Customer Relationships
Respond to requests and accurately communicate routine, unequivocal results to customers, including interpretation and reporting of written and verbal results
Quality Management Systems
Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements.
Support the laboratory’s accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring good working practices and maintain a high standard of work, including participating in Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assessment schemes.
Assist, where appropriate, in regular audits of departmental procedures in support of the Quality Manager and assist in the analysis of the results.
Asset Management
Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance.
Assist in the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensuring that they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.
Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment in order to ensure efficient and safe operation.
Management
Take responsibility for the supervision of the day-to-day activities of less experienced staff
Strategy, Policy and Service Development
Assist in the improvement and development of the service, in the interests of efficiency and in order to meet changing demands.
Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
Support and participate in FW&E surveys, trials and research work and projects in collaboration with other senior staff of the FWEMS laboratories.
Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives, in conjunction with the Laboratory Management Team.
Participate in periodic reviews of laboratory methods with respect to performance and relevance.
IT Infrastructure
Become competent in the use of the laboratory’s IT systems and participate in the basic inputting of data into the system
Security/Health and Safety
Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems and Technology Security policy.
Ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
Agree to implement safety objectives. Ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented.
Ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained. Report risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Manager.
Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
Other Duties
On an occasional basis the post holder will be expected to visit external sites and take samples that require special skills and training.
Perform other duties as directed by the Laboratory Manager of the Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory within the framework of the job summary.
Be prepared to work flexibly across the entire FWEMS if occasionally required, maintaining appropriate levels of training as necessary.
Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.
Essential Criteria
BSc (Hons) Science degree or BTEC in Microbiology/Biomedical Science with previous experience in microbiology; or equivalent experience of working in a microbiological / scientific role to gain degree-level understanding of science / microbiology.
Extensive working knowledge of laboratory areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed. Also, to demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology
Understanding of quality management systems, especially in relation to UKAS Accreditation
Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
Experience of automated testing systems
Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis
Skills for communication of complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Skills for supporting project management, including ensuring that projects meet financial targets
Skills for manipulating information
Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales
An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, but also in relation to management systems
Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness
Selection Process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, and Abilities.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
1000 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
Extensive working knowledge of laboratory areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed. Also, to demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to consider remote interviews.
Behaviours, Strengths, and Abilities will be tested at interview.
You will be asked to complete a 5–10-minute online test. The link of this will be sent to you after the interview.

Please refer the Job description for details