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Job description

To work as part of the Porton Pathogen Genomics Covid-19 whole genome sequencing team, to ensure the clinical service is provided efficiently and to the highest standard.

Working as the senior scientist responsible for delivering scientific and technical activities within the sequencing team. Lead the delivery of new/improved/refined diagnostic assays for use in the department as well as supporting safety, training and quality activities. Tasks will include routine laboratory work, line management, laboratory housekeeping and maintenance, recording and reporting of results and ensuring the work is carried out to high scientific, safety and quality standard. Also manipulating electronic data to provide information in the correct format and leadership of a small team. The post holder will perform a range of diagnostic tests primarily focused on high throughput Covid-19 sequencing but which could include other molecular assays.

Key responsibilities

Perform a range of tasks:

• Lead the implementation and maximise opportunities to use sequencing and molecular methods in support of diagnostic service requirements for ACDP Hazard Group 2, 3 and 4 pathogens. Ensuring targets are met.
• Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, processes, reagents and consumables.
• Line manage and supervise members of the sequencing team providing regular meetings within the UKHSA management framework (probation, 1:1s, quarterly reviews).
• Supporting safety, quality and training activities within the sequencing department.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and enabling change.
• Establish links and collaborations to benefit the projects and UKHSA.
• Provide reports through the analysis of data using software and databases where necessary to meet project milestones and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
• To undertake a range of sequencing, diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting the needs of UKHSA Porton service provision.
• To perform targeted NGS methods such as ARTIC protocol.
• To manipulate data as required by the bioinformatic pipeline.
• Lead in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Additional Job Role – Laboratory Safety Officer

In addition to the H&S expected of this job role the post holder in collaboration with the Laboratory Manager and with the support of designated support staff and complying with safety policies and procedures has additional responsibilities:

• To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority, to lead in conducting regular safety tours and to lead by example.
• To be responsible, in collaboration with the laboratory manager, for the safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
• To ensure attendance of self and staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
• To agree safety objectives with managed staff, to review performance at appraisal and to ensure regular meetings take place to ensure adequate execution of safety responsibilities.
• To ensure that relevant UKHSA health and safety policies are implemented within the Unit.
• To ensure that risk assessments are carried out and reviewed for all new and existing
• work and that controls are implemented, monitored, and maintained.
• To escalate risks that cannot be controlled via the Laboratory Manager

Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others which may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co- operate with the UKHSA on matters of health and safety.

Communication and key working relationships

Internal

• GPM
• Technical manager
• Operations manager
• Medical staff
• UKHSA colleagues
• Scientists

External

• Suppliers
• Sample collection staff
• Referring laboratory staff
• Stores Team

Other

• 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.
• 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.

Personal Development

• 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 participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory train
• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.

Person Specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words (max) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential Criteria:

• MSc, PhD or higher qualification in an appropriate medical / microbiological / biological science or equivalent level experience.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or the equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area e.g., molecular biology, sequencing.
• Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Significant experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing, molecular methods including real time PCR, sequencing and troubleshooting assays.
• Experience in working with clinical samples or diagnostic testing.
• Good record keeping, attention to detail.
• Experience of developing or technology transferring new sequencing targets.
• Working knowledge of sequencing methodology used at Porton (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technology).
• Experience of programming, developing, and implementing automation in the laboratory.
• Substantive experience of diagnostic or research virology.
• Experience of using high throughput next generation sequencing equipment.
• Working knowledge of LIMS or similar database for data entry and resulting work product.
• Experience of line managing and leading team members.
• Ability to work in a team and individually to deadlines.
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme participation/management.
• Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
• Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt, and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action.
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
• Strategic thinking, ability to anticipate.
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis.
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where they may be several courses of action.
• Ability to multitask.
• Intermediate keyboard skills.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support.
• Skills for handling and manipulating information.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Ability to prioritize activities and workload against conflicting demands. Used to working in a busy environment.
• Able to work as part of team and liaise with all levels of staff.
• Evidence of training and mentoring other staff.
• Demonstrate a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals.
• Willing to undertake the necessary vaccinations and security clearance.
• Able to participate in surge/outbreak cover situations as required.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.

Desirable Criteria:

• Minimum 3 years post-doctoral or clinical laboratory experience.
• Experience of reporting clinical laboratory results, database housekeeping, troubleshooting results and monitoring turnaround times.
• Basic experience of using command line to handle and manipulate data
• Trained and experienced working at Containment Level 3.
• Practical experience of using specialized sequencing LIMS.
• Previous experience and skills in project management and planning.
• Skills for troubleshooting data analysis pipelines.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1000 words.

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 sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW:
This competition will involve an interview via Teams/in Person

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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used at interview to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs 14/06/2023 – 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.

Interviews: w/c 19/06/2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules 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)
• 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

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 embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run aDisability 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.