Principal Clinical Scientist

Hybrid working based at our Colindale laboratory

Job Summary

The Principal Clinical Scientist will provide leadership and expertise in developing and implementing clinical and reference service delivery, surveillance and a programme of research for antiviral resistances to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and other viruses causing chronic infections where antivirals may be used for clinical management.

The Principal Clinical Scientist will provide scientific expertise and project management support to the Unit Head, Antiviral Unit (AVU) for its clinical and reference activities and relevant major grant-funded projects.

They will ensure effective and timely delivery and advice on clinical, reference, specialist and research activities within remit.

Job Description

Strategy and Leadership

• Provide effective scientific leadership to implementation and provision of end-to-end services for antiviral resistance within AVU
• Maximise efficient and flexible use of resources for LEAN service delivery
• Plan, develop, implement and direct with Unit Head a long-term strategy and programme of research for the specialist area
• Adopt new technologies and quality innovations to maximise the effectiveness of AVU clinical and reference services

Other Managerial

Within defined specialist areas to support Unit Head by undertaking the following functions as required:

• Participate in Virus Reference Department (VRD) Senior Management Team meetings and in higher level meetings
• Develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training
• Support career and professional development of staff within the team
• Manage staff, conduct staff appraisals of direct reports and manage performance issues
• Ensure provision of a safe working environment for all staff and visitors
• Contribute to maintaining a high profile for specialisms amongst key stakeholders in the UK and abroad
• Help to maintain lab accreditation e.g. with UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) or its successors and other agreed national/international standards
• Act as an advisor and a source of expert and specialist information for the Unit and UKHSA and deputise for Unit Head

Scientific and Epidemiological

Within Defined Specialist Area(s) To Undertake The Following Functions:

• Advise AVU and VRD Senior Staff on all aspects of work associated with specialisms especially implementation of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for service delivery
• Assess methodologies regularly to provide on-going improvement in services and provide expert advice and knowledge on the scientific basis of clinical and reference service tests and results
• Develop, evaluate and implement methods relevant to the specialist area
• Produce peer-reviewed publications on the results of research activities, and develop/review/edit manuscripts, documents, protocols, procedures, guidelines, and other measurable outputs
• Provide scientific advice and support in relation to internal quality controls and external quality assessment, proficiency testing and reference materials in collaboration with the UK National External Quality Assessment Service for Microbiology (NEQAS), UK HIV Resistance Network and other organisations
• Present research findings at local/national/international scientific meetings

Clinical/Professional

• Ensure robust arrangements for Clinical Governance for activities relating to the specialist areas
• Ensure the probity and integrity of research undertaken
• Provide cover for other Clinical Scientist by validating reports at medical level on Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

Information Technology

• Contribute to development of efficient and use-friendly information technology systems and databases including appropriate databases and tools for analysis of WGS data and extraction of key information for clear, concise reports for service delivery
• Use appropriate software packages for word processing, presentations, data analysis, and specialist bioinformatics packages
• Liaise with LIMS team on the introduction of new tests

Teaching/Training

• Promote the personal and professional development of staff through creation of personal development plans, regular performance review, and identification and meeting of training needs
• Ensure junior staff and assigned visitors or trainees are competent to carry out the tasks given to them, ensuring that levels of supervision are sufficient
• Develop and supervise postgraduate research projects and support the organisation of, and participate in, training programmes for staff and visitors

Quality

In Collaboration With The Quality Team:

• Maintain a high standard of work and appraise and contribute to developing services so they are safe, effective and economical and follow best practice
• Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system
• Contribute to internal/external quality assurance programmes
• Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards
• Ensure continual development and compliance of internal/external audit programmes and corrective actions

Safety

To Agree Safety Objectives With Managed Staff And To Review Performance At Appraisal And Support Senior Management Team In Carrying Out Duties Regarding:

• Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self/staff/visitors
• Ensuring relevant UKHSA health & safety policies and lab safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented
• Ensuring implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits

The above provides an overview of the role; other reasonable duties may be assigned by your line manager as required. The job description and person specification are subject to review in line with department or organisational needs.

Strategy and Leadership

• Provide effective scientific leadership to implementation and provision of end-to-end services for antiviral resistance within AVU
• Maximise efficient and flexible use of resources for LEAN service delivery
• Plan, develop, implement and direct with Unit Head a long-term strategy and programme of research for the specialist area
• Adopt new technologies and quality innovations to maximise the effectiveness of AVU clinical and reference services

To Agree Safety Objectives With Managed Staff And To Review Performance At Appraisal And Support Senior Management Team In Carrying Out Duties Regarding:

• Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self/staff/visitors
• Ensuring relevant UKHSA health & safety policies and lab safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented
• Ensuring implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits

The above provides an overview of the role; other reasonable duties may be assigned by your line manager as required. The job description and person specification are subject to review in line with department or organisational needs.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject (i.e. Microbiology or Biological Science)
• PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant subject (i.e. Microbiology or Biological Science)
• Relevant professional qualification: full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist
• Extensive expertise in virology and antiviral resistant
• Substantive experience in Public Health Microbiology in reference and diagnostic settings
• Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/others
• Strong proficiency in applying analytical and statistical techniques using a variety of software/codebases including expert level knowledge of Python or other programming languages relevant to data and reproducible science

Desirable Criteria

• Proven record of research in relevant areas, including significant/relevant publications
• Able to prioritize own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others with experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of individuals
• 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%

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 visit our careers site for more information: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the 7 Essential Criteria in this job advert.

Application & Sift (Competency-based)

At Sift Stage You Will Be Assessed Against The 7 Essential Criteria In This Job Advert. You Will Be Required To Complete:

• an Application Form (‘Employer/Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1250 word Supporting Statement - do not exceed 1250 words as we will not consider any words over this amount

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role. You will receive a joint score for your application form and supporting statement.

The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV – please be advised you will not be able to upload or email us your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

Longlisting

In the event of numerous applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all Essential Criteria
• Meets some Essential Criteria
• Meets no Essential Criteria

Only 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of many applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Relevant professional qualification: full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

If successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview (Competency-based)

You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview at our Colindale Lab. Interview date(s) to be confirmed.

Remote interviews may be available in exceptional circumstances.

During the interview we will assess against your knowledge, experience, skills and abilities in relation to the 7 Essential Criteria in this advert.

You Will Be Asked To Prepare And Present a 5–10 Minute Presentation Including Time For Questions. The Subject Will Be:

• What changes do you anticipate may impact the delivery of an antiviral resistance clinical service in the next 3-5 years, and how would you prepare for them?

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

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants. This role may also be available as a loan (for existing Civil Servants only) or secondment arrangement, subject to business need and agreement from the hiring manager and, where applicable, the employee's home organisation.

Reserve List

If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Salary Information

Grade: AfC Band 8a

£57,528 - £60,417 per annum, pro-rata

This role attracts HCAS Outer: 15% of annual salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,870 and a maximum payment of £6,137.

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions. If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension. If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing, substantive T&Cs. If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Colindale lab, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at our lab.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC). For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Security CTC clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Resourcing contact listed in the advert for further advice.

Incident Response Activity

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

Qualifications And Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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.

Internal Fraud Check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub, and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for external candidates to the Civil Service.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

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

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

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.

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

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 : Sarah Handy
• Email : sarah.handy@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

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: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk

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

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