Laboratory & Equipment Officer

Job summary

The post-holder will act as a Laboratory and Equipment Officer who will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining the laboratories and equipment of the Vaccine Evaluation Unit (VEU).

The post holder will implement and manage the VEU laboratory and equipment management system ensuring that these systems become progressively more effective in quality terms and meet both regulatory and accreditation requirements.

To assist in the operational management of the VEU to maintain an efficient and effective service and provide advice on quality issues.

To encourage the highest professional standards through personal and staff development.

Duties will be undertaken as agreed with the Head of the VEU, Deputy Head of the VEU, Quality Officer and within the context of the objectives of the VEU, United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Manchester Medical Microbiology Partnership (MMMP), the Laboratory Medicine and Care Division (LMCD) and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).

Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.

Working for your organisation

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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Your main duties will include:

• Laboratory and Equipment Management
• To be responsible for implementation, management and maintenance of the VEU laboratory and equipment management systems.
• To perform an active role in the procurement (Design Qualification) for new equipment.
• To manage and coordinate the Unit’s laboratory and equipment to all established equipment qualification requirements in terms of servicing, maintenance, calibration and validation arrangements.
• To manage the Unit’s laboratory and equipment records.
• To liaise with the relevant agencies and companies regarding laboratory and equipment issues including the needs and requirements of users.
• To provide help and advice to VEU Section Heads on laboratory and equipment management matters.
• To identify areas and particular projects that have the potential for improvement to laboratory and equipment, to the benefit of the service provided by the Units.
• To arrange for the issue, and maintenance, of relevant SOPs, policies and procedures.
• To provide and collate information periodically for management review.
• To participate in, liaise with and follow up on external inspections, correspond with accreditation agencies and verify the completion of corrective actions as required by the reports of the inspectors.
• To develop and maintain effective communication on all laboratory and equipment issues.
• To be aware of, and ensure compliance with, any relevant statutory requirements, standards and legislation.
• To participate, where appropriate, in local management meetings, assisting with decision making and policy implementation.
• To be proficient in data extraction and production of reports, including the use of spreadsheets to provide statistical information on laboratory and equipment.
• To work fully with the VEU, MMMP IT Manager, MMMP Quality Manager and others to enable provision of a robust service within the MMMP, applying escalation and contingency procedures as appropriate.
• To suggest and implement improvements to Unit policies and procedures.
• To ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of consumables.
• To assist in the supervision of qualified and unqualified staff and monitor their performance to ensure a high standard of work is maintained.
• To review complex or markedly abnormal results together with other relevant staff and technically validate the final report.
• To assist VEU Management in monitoring capability issues.
• To ensure adequate care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment.
• Clinical Governance
• To participate in audit processes, clinical trials, and research projects, as required.
• To assist in the management and monitoring of laboratory and equipment, and ensure the Unit maintains United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Medicines for Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) GCP for Laboratories.
• To investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents in relation to the Unit’s laboratory and equipment and report to the Head of the VEU, Deputy Head of the VEU, Quality Officer and MMMP Quality Manager in accordance with Trust incident reporting policy.
• To attend regular VEU meetings and contribute to effective communication within the Unit.
• Education and Development
• To undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required.
• To organise and coordinate the supervision, monitoring of training and development, assessment of competence and continuing professional development within the Unit of: Clinical Scientists, Senior Scientists, Healthcare Scientist Specialist Section Leads, Healthcare Scientist Practitioners, Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
• To provide and develop training for staff.
• To assist in the training of staff.
• To assist with the development of the VEU training plan.
• Scientific and Clinical
• To assist, and where appropriate be responsible for, the development and implementation of new equipment into the VEU.
• To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• To identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. To attend internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal

• Scientific, biomedical, support and clerical staff in the MMMP
• Hospital and Directorate Staff

External

Customers, including:

• External suppliers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Academia
• Accreditation bodies
• Other NHS Hospitals
• Educational institutions

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree (or equivalent qualification)
• Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive I.T skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
• Basic scientific mathematics
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work unsupervised
• Ability to liaise with all grades of staff in and out of the Unit
• Ability to work such hours as necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the job

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of participation in CPD.
• Understanding of United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO 15189 and Good x Practice (GxP) issues within scientific.
• Understanding of clinical governance.
• Understanding of related Health & Safety legislation.

Please note that 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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes

£9,682 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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%

Things you need to know

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 and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1500 word supporting statement.

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

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree
• Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive I.T skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
• Good communication skills

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

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview at our lab in Manchester, M13 9WZ. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 2026. 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.

Location

This role is lab based at UKHSA Manchester, MRI, M13 9WZ. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

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

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrori