Project Team Leader/Senior Scientist

at  UK Health Security Agency

JOB SUMMARY

The Pre-clinical Evaluation Team is a translational research group within the wider Vaccine Evaluation, Development and Preparedness division at UKHSA Porton Down, investigating high consequence human pathogens.
Research undertaken includes the pre-clinical evaluation of countermeasures and in vivo model development to support this work, development of assays to advance the testing of vaccines, and investigation of organ-on-chip technology as an adjunct to our existing capabilities.
This role will lead on the establishment of immune competent human organ-on-chip lung models for the study of infections caused by seasonal influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the research will be to characterise the models for their utility in the pre-clinical assessment of the efficacy of candidate therapeutics.

The post holder will:

• Lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the team and with external collaborators) and be responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities within the Pre-clinical Evaluation Team.
• Have a relevant PhD (or equivalent and/or experience) in virology or cell biology.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and undertake a broad range of cell biology, virological and immunological techniques that support the characterisation of in vivo models of disease.
• Have good communication skills, good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills.
• Have 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.
• Be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience to lead a small team and ensure delivery of their project area.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Your key responsibilities will include:

• 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 Pre-clinical Evaluation group.
• Monitoring 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.
• Leading a project team in identifying, evaluating, and adapting new 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.
• Supporting 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.

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.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of an:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application
• 1250 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
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

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

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on 2 essential criteria which are:

• PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years’ postgraduate experience (virology, cell biology)
• Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Your key responsibilities will include:

• 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 Pre-clinical Evaluation group.
• Monitoring 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.
• Leading a project team in identifying, evaluating, and adapting new 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.
• Supporting 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