Project Team Leader (Assay Development) SEO United Kingdom
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About the job
Job summary
The Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, based at UKHSA Porton, is based in a new world-class research facility dedicated to the development and testing of new COVID-19 vaccines. Research undertaken includes clinical testing to support regulatory licensing of new COVID-19 vaccines and research to inform government decisions on vaccination policies.
The post holder will provide expertise and lead small teams assigned to projects to assess potential improvements to efficiency, quality, or throughput of testing delivered by the Medical Interventions Group. The post holder will report project outcomes, deliver training and assist implementation of successful projects into delivery by the wider team.
This Project Team Leader would suit a candidate with significant laboratory experience, including working at Containment Level 3, and a proven capability in problem solving, report writing and project delivery. Experience in data analysis and troubleshooting is also expected.
Location: Lab based role at Porton Down, Salisbury
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
This post is required is to provide project team leadership to UK Government Vaccine Task Force (VTF) and commercially funded projects concerned with the testing of clinical trial samples for various vaccine developers. The post holder would be responsible for discrete aspects of testing activities such as assay development, assessing novel technologies, investigating trends and identifying process improvements. This post sits within the Medical Interventions Group.
The post holder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of the project, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be able to collaborate with lab users from other teams.
The post holder will lead a small project team and/or provide expertise in a team responsible for the delivery of scientific and technical activities within the development team in the Medical Interventions Group.
As a Project Team Leader your main responsibilities will include:
- Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
- Support senior project team leader to deliver assay method development activities as appropriate to support team priorities.
- Take lead responsibility for the management and training of junior or untrained staff allocated to team.
- Monitor direct reports objectives and performance to ensure project targets are met.
- Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
- Lead the project team or project area to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
- Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
- Provide reports through analysis of data using statistical software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
- Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with all UKHSA health and safety policies and procedures
- Ensure that the project team works within Good Clinical Practice guidelines and any other Quality Systems required
- Complete all mandatory training as required e.g. equality and diversity, information governance etc
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
- To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health, Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
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:
- PhD in appropriate discipline or MSc and several years’ postgraduate experience or Degree and substantial relevant experience.
- Significant knowledge and practical experience with laboratory techniques relevant for the project (e.g. cell based immunological assays).
- Demonstrable experience of assay development, monitoring, optimization, bridging or validation techniques.
- Experience of working at ACDP Containment Level 3.
- Evidence of leading projects/project teams and/or line management to meet project/service objectives and delivering work within set timelines.
- Previous experience in training project staff and identifying own and direct reports training needs.
- Experience of having worked within a GxP regulated environment.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience in evaluating, implementing and/or developing new technologies, methods or assays
- Experience in using data analysis packages for assay monitoring and/or statistical analysis of data, such as Minitab, GraphPad, JMP
- Good understanding of safe laboratory working practices and experience of implementing and monitoring these in a laboratory supervision/management role.
- Experience of lab supervision and/or risk assessment
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
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- 1. Experience of relevant analytical methods and data analysis
- 2. Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders for the purpose of project delivery
- 3. Planning and prioritisation
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 1250 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria, knowledge and experience and communication skills.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a face-to-face interview based at UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury. Alternatively, a Teams interview can be offered.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW:
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview.
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on their technical experience and a blended interview against a mixture of Behaviours and Strength elements of Success Profiles.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical Skills will also be assessed on:
- Experience of relevant analytical methods and data analysis
- Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders for the purpose of project delivery
- Planning and prioritisation
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 Thursday 25th 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: 1st June 2023
Interviews: W/C – 5th 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/
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/#
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).
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