Job summaryLaboratory Scientist£25,976 - £30,264, EO (national)Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JGFTC until 03/02/2026The Research department at Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release.In addition, the department undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufactures a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics.The Research department at Porton performs 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. TB, meningitis, anthrax and plague.Main duties of the jobJob descriptionThe post holder will play a key role in an internationally recognised team contributing to global TB vaccine and drug initiatives. The team are responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities associated with the use of advanced in vivo models of M. tuberculosis infection for the evaluation of novel TB vaccine strategies and therapeutics.The post holder will assist with the evaluation of novel vaccines and therapeutics in the following ways:Using immunological techniques such as ELISA, Flow cytometry and PCR.Using microbiological techniques such as plating of bacteria/tissue samples andcounting CFUs.Using the above techniques in a containment level 3 environment.Assisting with the preparation for individual studiesAssist with data analysis and presentatioIn addition, the post holder will assist with on-going pandemic by contributing to SARS-CoV-2 tasks as directed by line manager.Please note: This is a NOT a Biomedical scientist post.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 responsibilitiesLocationThis is a Lab based role at Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*Working Pattern Full Time.Key Responsibilities:Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.Take responsibility for the control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project.Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.Supply data to agreed time-scales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations and publications.To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1).To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade.To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.Essential Criteria:It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:EssentialDegree/equivalent qualification or suitable experience.Experience of safe working practices.Experience in relevant methods acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course.An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.Willing to undertake security clearance and/or vaccinations as required.Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills.Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands, changes in workload and working in difficult environments. Calm and methodical approach.Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.DesirableSome postgraduate experience in relevant methods: qPCR, ELISA, CL3 work, basic laboratory techniques.Good knowledge and practical familiarity with essential techniques for project which are basic microbiology, basic molecular biology, CL3 work, RNA extraction, isolation of cells from blood samples.Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).Selection process detailsSTAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.STAGE 2 INTERVIEWThis competition will involve an interview via Microsoft Teams.As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:Changing and ImprovingMaking Effective DecisionsWorking TogetherDelivering at PaceFor further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.Expected Timeline:Advert close: 23:55hrs on 1st May 2024 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Shortlist: TBCInterviews: TBCPlease note these dates could be subject to change.Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)Nationality requirementsAppointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsNationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKNationals of the Republic of IrelandNationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil ServiceRelevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil ServiceCertain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationalsWe recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.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. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.Please NoteThis role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/Complaint process:The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.Person SpecificationEssentialEssentialDegree/equivalent qualification or suitable experience.Experience of safe working practices.Experience in relevant methods acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course.An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.Willing to undertake security clearance and/or vaccinations as required.Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills.Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands, changes in workload and working in difficult environments. Calm and methodical approach.Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.DesirableSome postgraduate experience in relevant methods: qPCR, ELISA, CL3 work, basic laboratory techniques.Good knowledge and practical familiarity with essential techniques for project which are basic microbiology, basic molecular biology, CL3 work, RNA extraction, isolation of cells from blood samples.Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001).Disclosure 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 AgencyAddressUKHSA Porton DownPorton Down, SalisburySP4 0JGEmployer's websitehttps://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)