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About the job
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Location
About the job
Job summary
To enable and implement all NCTC laboratory operations including: the cultivation, freeze-drying and banking of all NCTC bacteriophage and NCTC strains; the replenishment and maintenance of NCTC inventory; the testing and qualification of manufactured batches; the maintenance of manufacturing and test records; the reception and banking of incoming, new strains. Training of other NCTC staff in the banking, authentication and propagation of bacteriophage.
Also, to support other NCTC operations as required from time to time including materials acquisition and qualification, product packaging and shipping and general product support.
Location: Colindale, NW9 5EQ
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
To take delegated duties from NCTC senior staff, following agreed protocols and policies in accordance with the UKHSA and NIS policies and procedures, seeking advice where appropriate from senior staff.
Operational/Technical/Scientific/Reference Services/ Research and Development
- The propagation, banking and authentication of the NCTC bacteriophage collection.
- The aseptic cultivation and expansion of NCTC strains for banking and stock replenishment.
- The freeze-drying of cultured bacteriophage and strains to replenish NCTC stock.
- The testing and qualification of NCTC banks / batches of product for release to inventory.
- The maintenance of manufacturing batch records.
- Upholding, originating and maintaining written Standard Operating Procedures.
- Contributing to process development and process improvement.
- The preparation, acquisition and qualification of laboratory materials.
- The cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment and facilities.
- The reception, cultivation and banking of incoming, new bacteriophage strains.
- Assisting with technical investigations and enquiries prompted by customer queries and / or internal failure investigations.
MEDIA and Laboratory Materials:
- Assistance with ordering of culture media and glassware from media production department.
- Preparation of specialised, sterile culture media, as required from time to time.
- The reception, storage and maintenance of media and laboratory reagents.
Laboratory and Product Support:
To assist with essential laboratory and product support activities, as required from time to time, including:
- The safe disposal of laboratory waste
- The maintenance and organisation of Personal Protective Equipment
- The organisation and processing of laboratory glassware
- Preparation of Products for shipment
- Stock-takes and audits
- Office support
To participate in and support R&D activities as required from time to time.
Quality:
In collaboration with the Laboratory Quality Team, to maintain a high standard of work, and to contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective, economical and follows best practice.
Ensure compliance with BS EN ISO 17025 accreditation and certification to ISO 9001 requirements.
Contribute to internal audit programmes and corrective actions. Take every opportunity to suggest quality improvements.
Support Services & Equipment:
Contribute to maintenance/acquisition of stock in order to ensure adequate service provision and continuity.
Financial and Business Management:
Support existing income generation activities. Notify any adverse incidents via the appropriate procedure. Place orders on the MAPS system for consumables from Stores, also laboratory items and equipment servicing from outside suppliers. Liaise with the Porton MAPS eam and resolve any issues arising over such orders. Prepare orders for media and deliver same to Media Production Department once signed.
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.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Qualifications equivalent to QCF (Qualification and Credit Framework, Level 6 or degree, or relevant comparable knowledge/experience.
- Relevant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory.
- Relevant experience of working with bacteriophage.
- Experience of working to written SOP within a formal quality management system.
- Understands quality assurance principles and procedures
- Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
- Evidence of interest in people and quality of service.
- High level of motivation and commitment to high standards.
- Able to convey ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to staff at all levels.
- Able to prioritise work in a timely manner.
Desirable Criteria:
- HCPC registered.
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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 Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Benefits
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form of no more than 750 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a face-to-face interview based at UKHSA Colindale. Alternatively, a Teams interview can be offered.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single interview.
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on the competency framework highlighted in the full job description attached.
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.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on Sunday 28th May 2023– 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: 6th June 2023
Interviews: 19th June 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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. 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 Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team