JOB SUMMARY

We are recruiting a Principal Clinical Scientist to work within the Respiratory and Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Reference Unit (RVPBRU). This is an ISO 15189 accredited laboratory, and part of the UKHSA’s Bacteriology Reference Department in Colindale, London. The RVPBRU comprises two sections, the Vaccine Preventable Bacteria Section (VPBS) and the Zoonotic and Acute Respiratory Section (ZARS). The VPBS provides national reference services for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, toxigenic corynebacteria and Haemophilus influenzae. ZARS provides national reference services for Legionella, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, and respiratory Chlamydia species.
RVPBRU assists in pathogen detection, confirmation and epidemiology, defining outbreaks and identifying transmission pathways. We use established and development phenotypic and genotypic methods to identify and type bacterial isolates and identify virulence markers. We offer molecular detection and confirmation of key genetic markers. RVPBRU undertakes surveillance, advises on outbreak investigation and on any public health risk.
The successful candidate will work primarily in the VPBS and support the Section Head to provide leadership and expertise in delivery of laboratory reference services for the VPBS, with respect to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella pertussis and toxigenic corynebacteria.
The postholder will provide leadership and expertise in delivery of reference services for the VPBS, with respect to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella pertussis and toxigenic corynebacteria.

To support the VPBS Section Head in:

• Delivery of reference services for VPBS including National Reference Service
• Provision of services that meet agreed quality standard
• Integration of existing and new technologies into improved service delivery
• Contributing to UKHSA committees and working groups, as required
• Actively seeking and managing scientific grants within area of expertise
• Maintaining and developing the National and International profile of Section and Unit

JOB DESCRIPTION

Your key responsibilities will include:

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria - you will be assessed on the below 11 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

• Relevant professional qualification i.e., Registration with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist
• Detailed knowledge of microbiological reference services offered for at least one of the pathogens covered by the Section
• Substantive postgraduate experience in Public Health microbiology
• Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
• Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/others
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
• Experience of serological and molecular microbiological techniques and their application
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
• Able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies
• Able to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issue, working to tight and often changing timescales

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE WILL ASSESS ON THE 11 ESSENTIAL CRITERIA STATED ON THE ADVERT RATHER THAN THE FULL LIST ON THE JOB DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT.

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

Piles Meets all essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Detailed knowledge of microbiological reference services offered for at least one of the pathogens covered by the Section

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
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.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

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)
• 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

Further information on nationality requirements

Essential Criteria - you will be assessed on the below 11 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

• Relevant professional qualification i.e., Registration with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist
• Detailed knowledge of microbiological reference services offered for at least one of the pathogens covered by the Section
• Substantive postgraduate experience in Public Health microbiology
• Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
• Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/others
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
• Experience of serological and molecular microbiological techniques and their application
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
• Able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies
• Able to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issue, working to tight and often changing timescale