Scientist-Global Specialised Polio Laboratory-£41,185 p.a. + benefits Potters Bar, England
Job description
We are currently looking for a Scientist-Global Specialised Polio Laboratory to join our Research & Development Team within the Scientific Research & Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 24-month fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 4 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 8 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The Scientific Research and Innovation (SR&I) group delivers public health impact through world-leading research and innovation to support clinical trials and availability of novel medicines. It comprises 6 sub-Groups: Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.
Research and Development (R&D) delivers an internationally leading programme that supports development of and access to novel biological medicines, biological standards, diagnostics, vaccines, biotherapeutics and advanced therapy medicinal products.
What’s the role?
The Scientist will work in the WHO Collaborating Centre for Polio and the WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory within the Research and Development sub-Group of the SR&I Group.
The role is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and aims at providing scientific-based guidance to the endgame strategies for the WHO Global Polio Eradication Initiative which includes supporting immunisation programs as well as clinical and environmental surveillance systems for the detection of polio and non-polio enteroviruses.
The role involves working in the area of R&D and control on poliomyelitis and poliovirus vaccines. The post holder will be responsible for leading and undertaking work to improve methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio viruses in stools and sewage samples from different countries. These include in-depth molecular analysis of viral sequences from data generated using next generation sequencing platforms aimed at improving the sensitivity of virus surveillance as well as phylogenetic analysis. The results will be used to better understand the prevalence of human enteroviruses in different human populations, the effect of vaccine use on virus transmission and molecular virus evolutionary pathways thorough mutation and recombination events.
Key responsibilities:
- To lead research and development programs aimed at improving methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio enteroviruses, as well as other viruses associated with human disease such as SARS-CoV-2, from surveillance activities with a special focus on direct detection and next generation sequencing analysis of viral genomes using Illumina and Nanopore technology.
- To use and develop bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of vial sequences generated from surveillance activities.
- Lead training and implementation activities in WHO laboratories around the world on the molecular identification and characterization of viral genomes from clinical and environmental samples using next generation sequencing methods to expand capacity, increase demand and generate further data on performance (sensitivity, specificity, speed, accuracy, feasibility).
- Engage with national and international external stakeholders, including other WHO Collaborating Centers and Polio Laboratories, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Directorate on Quality of Medicines, US Food and Drug Administration, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and academic institutes to deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice to support the statutory functions.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will:
- A PhD in a relevant field, or equivalent experience with evidence of R&D; an excellent practical and theoretical knowledge of the WHO global poliovirus eradication initiative including surveillance activities.
- Experience with statistical analysis and interpreting results derived from large complex data sets, including complex sequencing data from next generation sequencing, generating clear reports and scientific manuscripts.
- Highly skilled in deep sequencing analysis particularly in methods using direct detection of viral sequences from clinical and environmental samples using Nanopore and Illumina technology.
- Excellent understanding of bioinformatics analysis of nucleic acid sequences using both command line and specialised software.
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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The selection process:
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.
- Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
- Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 05/05/2023
Interview date: W/S 15/05/2023
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Any move to the MHRA 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 here.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].
In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
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