Job Summary

We are looking for dedicated professionals to join the newly formed Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory within the UKHSA. This laboratory serves as the national reference point for bacterial STIs, providing specialist testing and critical analysis to detect, investigate, and monitor STI pathogens, including the detection and tracking of antimicrobial resistance. As part of this team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering essential reference services and contributing to surveillance projects that impact public health on a national scale. The work will involve using both established and innovative microbiological and molecular techniques to ensure high-quality results for individual case management and broader surveillance efforts.

You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge, particularly if you have experience in molecular microbiology, to support the laboratory's mission. Additionally, you'll participate in the ongoing development of our services, working within a team that is committed to excellence in diagnostics and public health. We are particularly interested in candidates with a background in laboratory work, who are ready to contribute to the evolving needs of our unit, from routine tasks to more complex problem-solving. Training will be provided to develop your expertise further, and you will be encouraged to take on responsibilities that contribute to service improvement and the overall success of the team.

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. 

Please note: this role is part of a job share and the post holder's working days will be Thursday and Friday.

Job Description

• Contributing to the provision of a comprehensive reference service for microbiological samples as part of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the highest standards of diagnostic excellence.
• Working independently or collaboratively to undertake the routine preparation and examination of a wide variety of samples, while adhering to established protocols and procedures.
• Prioritizing and managing your personal workload effectively, making necessary adjustments to accommodate urgent tasks and ensuring timely completion of critical work items.
• Assisting in the overall running and maintenance of the laboratory, ensuring compliance with UKHSA policies and procedures to maintain a safe, efficient, and high-quality laboratory environment.
  
  
  

The Job Share will be Thursday & Friday.

Person specification

Reporting to a senior member of the team, you will play a pivotal role within the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Reference Laboratory, contributing to critical public health initiatives. In this role, you will take ownership of one or more key projects that align with the laboratory’s mission to provide cutting-edge diagnostic services and support the national effort in managing bacterial STIs. With the guidance of your manager and collaboration with colleagues across the laboratory, you will form part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering high-quality microbiological testing and research.

You will be involved in the entire lifecycle of laboratory initiatives, from scoping and planning through to execution and handover. This includes conducting detailed laboratory procedures, such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing, and other microbiological techniques. Your work will be integral to the laboratory’s ability to deliver accurate and timely results, which are essential for both individual case management and broader surveillance efforts.

This role offers the opportunity to lead and contribute to projects that address some of the most pressing challenges in public health today. Whether it’s optimizing the lab’s operational processes, implementing new technologies, or ensuring compliance with rigorous quality standards, your efforts will have a direct impact on the effectiveness of the laboratory’s services.

Our ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a fast-paced, complex environment and is driven by the desire to make a tangible difference. You will need to be a self-starter with a keen eye for detail, capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously. Confidence in navigating complex laboratory environments and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders are key to success in this role.

Essential Criteria -

You will be assessed on the below 4 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description:

• BSc 2.1 or above in Biomedical Sciences, equivalent degree or experience
• Experience of working in a laboratory with sexually transmitted bacterial pathogens or antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Experience of working in a laboratory including using Pre Analytical techniques applicable to Bacterial, Serological or Molecular methods
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
  
  
  

Alongside your salary of £29,737, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,614 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  
  

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based assessments

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 4 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 500 word Statement of Suitability.
  
  
  

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the above listed 4 essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (Competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at 61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 21st October 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

This role is based at Colindale, London . Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Eligibility Criteria

External 

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

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 consider 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/

International Police check:

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Your application may be rejected and/or you 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality Requirements

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
  
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Irene Scahill
• Email : [Click to show email]
  
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [Click to show email]
  
  
  

Further information

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. 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: [Click to show email] 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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v6657723