JOB SUMMARY

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.
The Research and Evaluation department based at UKHSA Porton has approximately 300 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases e.g., SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Q Fever, Anthrax, Plague, Melioidosis and Monkeypox. The department also has a test facility performing regulated studies in compliance with GLP, GCP and GMP.
The Diagnostic Support Team reviews, evaluates, develops, and implements diagnostic assays for use in UKHSA/NHS and locally for the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) working with suppliers, commercial partners, and academic groups.
The post holder will join as a Research Scientist in the Diagnostic Support Team providing serological/molecular/antigenic expertise to deliver scientific and technical projects.
The post holder, being a key member of the Diagnostic Support Team, will evaluate commercial assays and ensure delivery of new/improved/refined diagnostic assays for use in UKHSA or NHS diagnostic labs as well as training and surge capacity in the event of an outbreak. They will work concurrently on projects to ensure the scientific strategy of the department, and group are met, incorporating with their Project Team Leader the constraints of time, cost, and quality.
The post holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience to ensure the project(s) worked on is done so effectively.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Develop/Evaluate/Implement and utilise a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
• Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Independent working under the direction of the Project Team Leader to identify, evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Participate in the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
• Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
• Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• Maintain health and safety competence.
• Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

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

Science
Other