Biomedical Scientist Practitioner / Healthcare Scientist Practitioner

Job summary

We are seeking an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist Practitioner (AfC Band 5) or a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (Executive Officer).

Salary bands:

• AfC Band 5: £32,073 - £39,043 (plus Outer HCAS payment) per annum, pro rata
• EO (Inner London): £32,624 - £37,737 per annum, pro rata

Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 5. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at EO grade.

The Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) is a National Reference Laboratory and provides specialist and reference services for a specific range of hazard group 2 and 3 gastrointestinal and foodborne bacterial pathogens notably Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, C. botulinum, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia and Vibrio species.

GBRU works at local, regional, national and international levels to reduce the impact of food, water and environmentally borne illnesses on people’s health. Activities include provision of bacterial typing services to assist national surveillance, the detection and investigation of outbreaks and specialist microbiological services for the examination of clinical, food, water and environmental samples. Currently, a combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods is used to detect, identify and type bacterial isolates and this increasingly involves the use of whole genome sequencing.

We are streamlining workflows for different pathogens across the unit to facilitate implementation of new technology whilst maintaining the capability to perform standard reference methods. GBRU has a high propriety in ensuring the safe running of laboratory services and the safety of all staff.

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:

• To provide technical support within the Unit in ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the Section; this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of foodborne bacterial isolates and clinical and environment specimens.
• To work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system.
• To participate in research and development activities within GBRU.
• Service delivery
• To receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
• To assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 and CL3 microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory duties, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs) within GBRU
• To undertake DNA-based detection and typing for a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
• To analyse and validate clinical and reference-based results, support the senior scientists in dealing with laboratory queries and maintain professional registration.
• Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents, of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
• Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to the unit that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work.
• Writing and updating SOPs and controlled documentation.
• To provide technical support to GBRU Reference Services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements.
• Writing and updating SOPs and controlled documentation.
• Assist senior staff in the management of supporting staff across GBRU and deputise for the HEO when required.
• Health and Safety

In collaboration with the GBRU Safety Officer and complying with UKHSA safety policies and procedures to:

• Ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, all staff and visitors in the unit
• Assist in maintaining a safe working environment within the unit ensuring risk assessments and COSHH are carried out as and when required and safety policy is adhered to
• Report all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions and assist in taking remedial action
• Participate in the internal and external safety audits as required and implement any arising corrective actions
• Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.
• Information Technology
• Entry of results into LIMS system and liaison with senior staff in sending laboratory reports.
• Answering telephone queries.
• Quality • Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe effective and economical and follows best practice according to ISO15189 and 17025 standards.
• Staff Management and Training
• Train and supervise other staff, visitors and students.

Support Services & Equipment

• Oversee the service and maintenance of equipment
• Ensure performance checks on equipment are performed and to take appropriate corrective action if equipment fails to meet specification.
• Strategy, Policy and Service Development
• Contribute to GBRU strategic policies and encourage innovations and develop practices that enhance the effectiveness of the section’s work

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2
• Good experience and knowledge of multiple laboratory techniques including phenotypic and molecular methods
• Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Use of micropipettes, sub-culturing organisms - good manual dexterity - work by paying attention to detail
• Able to work without supervision - ability to prioritise work in a timely manner - good organisational skills

Desirable criteria

• HCPC registration
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 3
• Experience of writing SOPs
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis

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 £32,073, UK Health Security Agency contributes

£9,291 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
• If appointed under Civil Service Terms and Conditions, 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 is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000 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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words. 

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 in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2

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 in Colindale, London.

Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working together (Lead behaviour)
• Making effective decisions
• Managing a quality service

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 in Colindale, London. 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 Co