This role will provide lead virology expertise and lead a project team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities with the Pre-clinical Evaluation group.
As the post holder, you will lead on projects isolating emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants from clinical material and their use to assess ability to escape vaccine responses. You will directly report these results to senior colleagues and stakeholders.
This role will also involve taking a lead on/provide support to projects involving the development and use of human organ on chip models to assess virus infections. The post holder will be responsible for:
1. Managing projects and studies to meet agreed deadlines.
2. Providing cross project knowledge and practical expertise in containment level 3 virology.
3. Implementing and utilising a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the Pre-clinical Evaluation group.
4. Monitoring direct reports' objectives and performance to ensure project targets are met.
5. Taking responsibility for checking, compiling, presenting, and reporting project data sets to stakeholders, including when necessary external customers.
6. Leading a project team in identifying, evaluating, and adapting new technologies and methodologies where appropriate to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
7. Maintaining health and safety competence to the national occupational standard and ensuring actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1).
8. Establishing links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
9. Performing any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
10. Supporting members of the project team to meet their PDP objectives and taking lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, technical experience, abilities, and strengths.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the essential criteria, which will be in the form of a:
1. Application form (Employer/Activity history section on the application)
2. (1250) word Statement of Suitability outlining how 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. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. As the role is based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
1. UK nationals
2. Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
3. Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
4. 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)
You will have a relevant qualification and/or experience in virology or cell biology. You will also be able to demonstrate the ability to develop and undertake a broad range of virological and immunological techniques that support the characterisation of ex vivo models of disease. Previous experience and competency to work at containment level 3 is essential. You will be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, good attention to detail, and strong documentation and organisation skills. Previous experience of managing individuals or a small team, working with external collaborators/customers would be desirable.
Essential Criteria
You will be assessed on the below essential criteria:
1. PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years postgraduate experience (virology, cell biology)
2. Good understanding and experience of analytical methods relevant to the project area (e.g., bioassays, immunological assays, and/or virological assays).
3. Experience of leading projects/project teams and training junior members of staff.
4. Knowledge and experience of practices and principles of working at ADCP containment level 3.
5. Strong communicator capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
6. Ability to prioritise the workload of the team and anticipate the needs of the projects you manage to ensure that project targets and deadlines are met.
7. Ability to exercise good judgement in solving problems and making effective decisions.
8. Excellent team working skills with the ability to motivate and support the project team.
9. Ability to cope with uncertainty, change, and tight timelines.
10. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Alongside your salary of £40,661, UK Health Security Agency contributes £11,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
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.
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