Job summaryThis is a unique opportunity to lead innovation for frontline and reference clinical diagnostics at the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL). The main role of the postholder will be to lead the Diagnostic Evaluations and Innovations (DEI) team in the introduction of assays into RIPL for routine use. The work of the team comprises verification of commercial assays, or, where there is no suitable commercial test, development, validation and verification of in-house assays. This also encompasses introduction of new platforms or methods which improve workflows and efficiencies in the diagnostic laboratory.In the outbreak setting, the team will also need to facilitate development and testing of high throughput assays and will support rollout of testing to other laboratories if required.The post holder will work closely with the lead DEI specialist and the head and deputy head of RIPL to ensure new assays meet criteria for use in RIPL as an accredited clinical laboratory, and to troubleshoot existing assays and monitor assay performance following EQA failures, reagent changes or information from horizon scanning which may impact on assay performance.The post also brings opportunities in supporting service development in RIPL to extend the scope of testing in response to emerging infections, outbreaks and UKHSA health threat assessments.Main duties of the jobo To manage the projects ensuring appropriate methods, assays, techniques/systems are implemented and utilised to meet RIPL assay development leads.o Take lead responsibility for the evaluation of validated assays, reagents and consumables required for RIPL.o To act as principal investigator of the project teams taking lead responsibility to evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate in consultation with the assay development and clinical leads and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.o Establish links and collaborations within and outside the PHE as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.o Assist senior colleagues, leading where necessary in developing scientific and technical strategy of the project or derived projects, identifying new opportunities as they arise and responding to funding calls or customer enquiries.Please refer to the job description attached to the advert for a full list of main duties of the role.About usWe 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.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThis role is a key aspect of the unique service provided by the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL). The post holder will be principal liaison bridging the developmental work of DEI and the vital clinical implementation for frontline diagnostics through RIPL. The postholder will work with the DEI team, the RIPL clinical team and the RIPL laboratory team to maintain delivery of a high quality diagnostic service for rare, high consequence and imported infections, and to expand service delivery to respond to priority and emerging infections identified through horizon scanning.A major focus will be assay assurance for existing testing. Additionally, the role oversees the development, validation, and verification of new assays. There will be opportunities to develop the role to investigate innovative diagnostic approaches in conjunction with academic and commercial partners, and to liaise with internal and external experts to build the evidence base of initiatives of scientific and public health importance.The postholder will be encouraged to develop and lead collaborative networks, for example as part of RIPLs role as a WHO Collaborating Centre, and to work with industry, academia and government departments as needed.The postholder will act as principal investigator for project teams, taking lead responsibility to evaluate and adapt new technologies for frontline diagnostics, ensuring that work is done to a sufficiently high scientific standard while also meeting requirements for in vitro diagnosis.The postholder will work closely with senior personnel on the Porton site, leading where necessary in developing the scientific and technical strategies for projects, identifying new opportunities as they arise, and contributing to funding applications for applicable programmes. They will take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff. The postholder will contribute to, and where relevant lead on, preparation of presentations, publications and reports.RIPL seeks to maintain positive relations with customers and services users, and works with commercial partners in developing and optimising assays relevant for health protection, such as near patient testing applications in the event of an outbreak. The postholder will therefore be expected to liaise with customers, partners and service users to deal with enquiries related to technical aspects of the assays in question.The postholder will need to comply with all relevant health and safety standards and legislation, including ensuring that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA Code of Safety Practice and any quality systems that are applicable to the site. They will need to maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standards (Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety; NOS HSS1, and Identify, assess and control health and safety risks; NOS HSP6), and ensure compliance of the team with these standards, and with all other relevant UKHSA policies and procedures.The postholder will be expected to perform any other duties required by their line manager commensurate with the grade.ESSENTIAL CRITERIAYou will be assessed on the below 8 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job DescriptionPhD in appropriate discipline with considerable post-doctoral level experience (or equivalent) in an appropriate scientific discipline.HCPC approved degree with registrationSpecialist training/experience in specific methods required for the postEvidence of leading projects/project teams and dealing with customers/clientsExperience of having worked in a regulated environmentSignificant experience in areas relevant to the projectDemonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordinglyTrack record of delivery to short target timesSelection ProcessThis vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.Stage 1: Application & SiftYou will be requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe above listed 8 essential criteria,and this will be in the form ofa CV/ Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)a 1000wordStatement of Suitability.This should outline howyou consideryour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.Feedback will not be provided at this stage.Please do not exceed 1000words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.Stage 2: InterviewYou will be invited to a face to face interview which will be held at UKHSA Porton Down , Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG however if you require a remote interview, this can be arranged.Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.There may be a Technical Test/presentation as part of the assessment.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internal applicants).Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.Working for the Civil Service:TheCivil Service Codesets 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'srecruitment principles.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:life sentencesarsonsexual offenceshate and terror offencesSome departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be availableStarting salaryEntrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.For further details please refer to the Information Sheet - Starting Salaries & Benefits attachmentPerson SpecificationQualificationsEssentialPhD in appropriate discipline with considerable post-doctoral level experience (or equivalent) in an appropriate scientific discipline.HCPC approved degree with registrationKnowledge and skillsEssentialSpecialist training/experience in specific methods required for the postEvidence of leading projects/project teams and dealing with customers/clientsExperience of having worked in a regulated environmentSignificant experience in areas relevant to the project.Planning skillsEssentialoDemonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordinglyManagement skillsEssentialTrack record of delivery to short target timesDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer nameUK Health Security AgencyAddressPorton DownPortonSP4 0JGEmployer's websitehttps://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)