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UK Health Security Agency
About
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA will ensure the nation can respond quickly and at greater scale to deal with pandemics and future threats.
Senior Scientist – Bioinformatics
Accepting applications until: 17-Jul-2024 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 17-Jul-2024 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG
- Town
- Salisbury
- Postcode
- SP4 0JG
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term until 1-Jul-2025)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £38,724 - £44,393 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO))
Specialty
- Main area
- Senior Scientist
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Job overview
The Emerging Pathogen Serology group sits within the Vaccine Development, Evaluation, and preparedness Centre (VDEC) Division of UKHSA Porton. The group was established to function as a high throughput SARS CoV-2 serosurveillance service during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it supported more than 60 different research projects, clinical trials and serosurveillance studies, resulting in over 50 publications. Since its inception, the lab has performed ~1.3 million serology tests, with expansion into different emerging pathogens to support and respond to the recent incidents such as Lassa Fever, Mpox, and H5N1. Much of our work now focusses on immunological assay development, understanding immune responses (humoral/cellular), population-level serosurveillance, and informing vaccine and therapeutic design/policy.
Advert
Day-to-day, it is expected that this position would involve undertaking various laboratory research projects as aligned with the groups research interests, oversight of individual and group-led research projects, supervision and line management of junior staff and PhD/ undergraduate placement students, facilitating group collaborations, data analysis, and preparation of data for publications, presentations and reports. The successful candidate will be an integral part of the laboratory’s senior management team, aiding in the scientific direction of the group, investigating new areas of research, and applying for additional funding through research grants applications. In addition, as a senior laboratory member within the Emerging Pathogen Serology group, it is expected that the post holder will support and lead the organisation in the event of a public health incident, such as the emergence of new pathogens, requiring considerable flexibility and responsiveness.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our group is now recruiting a fixed term senior research scientist role based at UKHSA Porton Down focussed on sequencing-based serology methods (such as PhIP-seq, PepSeq and MIPSA). This role would suit a candidate with diverse experience in bioinformatics and some experience in serology/immunology for infectious diseases.
We are a vibrant research group, undertaking diverse research and service testing projects for a range of emerging pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, Lassa, Mpox, Ebola, Marburg, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and many others. In addition to emerging pathogens, we also undertake a number of research projects with the SIREN and PITCH studies on respiratory pathogens such as RSV and Influenza.
Key Responsibilities
The post holder will be expected to have laboratory responsibilities in the following areas:
1. Lead on external and internally funded laboratory research, along with the development of independent research projects
2. Contribute to development and deployment of WGS pipelines to support analysis
3. Support the identification and sharing of best bioinformatics practice
4. Accept responsibility for refactoring existing WGS software components
5. Develop tested, validated and versioned software components for WGS analyses, incorporate into and validate new WGS pipeline versions
6. To provide training and advice on use and interpretation of bioinformatic tools
7. Analyse data from projects to which you are assigned, accepting responsibility for generating reports within agreed timelines
8. Lead preparation of reports, posters and publications arising from the data
9. Represent UKHSA at internal, National and International meetings
10. Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications
11. Lead in identifying, evaluating and adapting new technologies and scientific techniques where appropriate and ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard
12. Perform a range of standard methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with project(s), to ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget
Other duties include:
• Support in external (e.g., UKRI) and internal funding applications to explore and undertake new areas of research around emerging pathogen immunology/serology
• Build national and international collaborations with external partners in support of the laboratory through attendance at scientific conferences and workshops
• Liaise with external/internal collaborators about data, reports, and publications
• Line manage other junior members of the group and to support them with their research and project work
• Record, provide, and undertake data analysis as necessary to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations, publications, and reports
• Support in the recruitment of new staff
• Support project management through providing documentation such as costings, project folders and project plans
• Undertake all assigned work in accordance with UKHSA's Risk Management Systems, policies, and procedures
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
• To comply with all UKHSA’s policies and procedures
Essential criteria
• PhD or equivalent years’ experience in bioinformatics, or similar
• Familiar with Linux/Unix; proficient on the CLI
• Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatic analytical approaches.
• Familiarity with the principles of PhIP-seq, MIPSA, PepSeq and other sequencing based serology methods
• Experience of developing, modifying, debugging code used for data analysis, preferably python
• Experience of applying diverse bioinformatics tools, preferably for analysing human serum samples or similar
• Experience of VCS (e.g., git) for software versioning and documentation
• Prior experience in writing publications, reports, conference presentations, and ethics and grant applications
• Regularly keep up to date with scientific literature where applicable
• Evidence of prior and ongoing publication record (including preprints)
• Prior experience of line management and leading of junior scientists within a large team
• Developing collaborations with internal/external partners
Desirable criteria
• Demonstrable history of individual research projects with collaborators
• Demonstrable experience of designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining bioinformatics pipelines for analysis of high-throughput biological data.
• Experience of managing and analysing large volumes of data in a High-Performance Computing environment
• Prior experience in working within a team involved in public health incident and responses
• Experience of supporting the appropriation of new resources and methods to support laboratory research and day-to-day operation
• Experience assisting junior staff development through supervision and training
• Previously obtained external funding for research projects
It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Selection Process:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Skills and Experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 1250 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 CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview at Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.
Behaviours, experience and skills will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
Interview dates TBC.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location Information
Please note that Hybrid working is not an option at this site. The location is: Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful 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
The Civil Service Code 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
-
life sentences
-
arson
-
sexual offences
-
hate and terror offences
Some 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 available.
Starting salary
Entrants 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 attachment .
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
I understand my application may be rejected or I 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.
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
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
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
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.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 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 (attached as a supporting document).
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: [email protected] 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 here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday - Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.
As a hybrid worker, you will usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
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 take into account 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/
Person specification
CV and Statement of Suitability
Essential criteria
- CV and Statement of Suitability
Behaviour
Essential criteria
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Documents
- JD (PDF, 376.4KB)
- Civil Service Recruitment Principles (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Civil Service Nationality Rules (PDF, 195.3KB)
- Application Form Guidance Notes (PDF, 77.3KB)
- Information Sheet - Starting salaries and benefits (PDF, 129.4KB)
- Information Sheet - Selection Process (PDF, 110.1KB)
- Working at UKHSA and your benefits (PDF, 219.2KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Recruitment Team
- Job title
- Resourcing Support
- Email address
- [email protected]
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