Job Title: Healthcare Scientist Job Location: London, UK Job Location Type: Hybrid Job Contract Type: Full-time Job Seniority Level: Associate Location London About The Job Job summary We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Healthcare Scientist to join the Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL), part of the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories directorate within UKHSA. The STI Reference Laboratory plays a vital role in delivering high-quality reference services and contributing to important surveillance projects that support the public health response to sexually transmitted infections. As a Healthcare Scientist, you will perform microbiology and molecular laboratory duties under supervision, following established standard operating procedures and protocols. You will also contribute to service development, assist with work allocation, problem-solving, and may take on some supervisory responsibilities. Candidates with prior laboratory experience, particularly in molecular microbiology, will be given preference. This role offers opportunities to develop expertise in using laboratory information management systems and participate in various laboratory tasks. Full training will be provided to help you advance your skills and become proficient in the required techniques. You will collaborate with internal colleagues in the STI Reference Laboratory and across the wider directorate, as well as with external stakeholders, including NHS laboratories and commercial organisations. This is an exciting opportunity for a Healthcare Scientist looking to make a significant contribution to public health through specialised laboratory work. Job Description Essential Criteria: BSc 2.1 or above in Biomedical Sciences, equivalent degree or experience Experience of working in a laboratory with sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens or antimicrobial susceptibility testing Experience of working in a laboratory including using Pre-Analytical techniques applicable to Bacterial, Serological or Molecular methods Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures Ability to work effectively as part of a team Able to follow standard operating procedures For a full list of essential criteria, please refer to the attached Job Description. Person specification Working as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver reference services for microbiological samples. Independently or collaboratively preparing and examining a variety of microbiological samples. Performing routine laboratory tasks such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and DNA sequencing following standard operating procedures. Assisting in maintaining the laboratory by monitoring equipment, managing stock, and ensuring proper waste disposal. Recording and interpreting clear positive and negative test results, and inputting data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Contributing to the implementation of new methods and technologies to enhance laboratory services. Supporting laboratory audits and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards, including ISO 15189. Managing stock control and ensuring the efficient operation of high-cost, complex equipment. Collaborating with internal colleagues and external stakeholders, including NHS laboratories and commercial partners. Participating in laboratory meetings and contributing to continuous professional development through ongoing training and learning. 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. Benefits Alongside your salary of £31,224, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,045 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 6 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of an: Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application 500 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. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: BSc 2.1 or above in Biomedical Sciences or equivalent degree, or equivalent relevant experience Experience of working in a laboratory with sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens or antimicrobial susceptibility testing Experience of working in a laboratory including using Pre-Analytical techniques applicable to Bacterial, Serological or Molecular methods Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures. Please do not exceed 500 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. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. Interviews will be held week commencing TBC. Please note, these dates are subject to change. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as office working based at: UKHSA Colindale 61 Colindale Ave, London, NW9 5EQ Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should: Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ Artificial Intelligence (AI) Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. If based at one of our scientific locations you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. International Police check: If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Harry McCullagh Email : Recruitment team Email : Lifelancer ( https://lifelancer.com ) is a talent-hiring platform in Life Sciences, Pharma and IT. The platform connects talent with opportunities in pharma, biotech, health sciences, healthtech and IT domains. For more details and to find similar roles, please check out the below Lifelancer link. https://lifelancer.com/jobs/view/5a83fffdb03fc769ecf9fc551534394f Apply on Lifelancer Platform