Scientist (Immunology)

Job summary

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.

The Countermeasures Development and Evaluation Centre is based at Porton and has approximately 250 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving vaccine and therapeutic, discovery, evaluation, development, and research.

The Discovery team sits in the Countermeasures Development, Evaluation and Preparedness Division in the Public Health Microbiology Directorate within the Chief Scientific Officer Group. Its work focuses on the establishment of host-relevant microbial models, evaluation of antimicrobial therapies directed at UKHSA priority pathogens, and development of molecular and immunological methods for characterising pathogen responses and host-pathogen interaction. This scientist post will contribute to the development of develop functional mucosal immune assays towards the establishment of in vitro assays that provide correlates of protection for TB vaccines.

Job description

• Work at CL-3, growing and manipulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Carry out studies to develop functional mucosal immune assays using flow cytometry
• Analyse biological data and develop new tools to perform those analyses e.g., large flow cytometry data sets
• Contribute to internal and external reporting.
• Adhere to ISO9001 in both practical and computer analyses, and in the storage of data
• Work with the PTL, SPTL, Scientific Leader, Head of AMR, and members of the Pathogen Immunology Group, to develop immune assay capabilities
• Generate data at publishable quality level and co-author papers and reports.
• Implement and utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of all activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met.
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Work with other team members to identify, evaluate, and adapt, new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard.
• Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets & contribute to the preparation of presentations and publications.
• To perform any other duties required by the line manager, Scientific Lead, and the Head of CDEP, commensurate with grade.
• Undertake all assigned work in accordance with the UKHSA’s Risk Management Systems, policies, and procedures.
• To undertake work in accordance with UKHSA’s Health and Safety policies and procedures and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Behaviours
• Maintain health and safety competence in line with UKHSA policy and guidance.
• To achieve and maintain own and team’s health and safety competence set out in UKHSA Policies.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures
• 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 specifications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the department is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• BSc qualification (or equivalent qualification) in an immunology/microbiology field- ideally with modules in each.
• Laboratory experience in bacteriology and immunology
• Experience of working at CL-3
• Ability to analyse large data sets, with computer software
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately to the team
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of data

Desirable criteria

• Experience of external collaboration
• Experience of contributing to manuscripts’ particularly the preparation of data figures.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of ISO9001 quality standards or equivalent

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 is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

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 a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 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

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Experience of working at CL-3

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 & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Porton (Salisbury), SP4 0JG.

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills will be tested at interview through questioning.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working together (Lead Behaviour)
• Changing and improving
• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions

Interviews dates are to be confirmed.

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 being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton (Salisbury). Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

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

Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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 Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Salary Information

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.

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 he