Senior ScientistinPorton DowninPorton DownPUBLISHED MON 24 MAR 2025

The Research and Evaluation department based at UKHSA Porton has approximately 300 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department's work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases e.g., SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Q Fever, Anthrax, Plague, Melioidosis and Monkeypox. The department also has a test facility performing regulated studies in compliance with GLP, GCP and GMP.

This post is part of the Diagnostics Evaluation and Innovation (DEI) team at UKHSA Porton Down. The focus of the DEI team is to review, evaluate, develop, and implement diagnostic assays for the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), the front-line diagnostic laboratory for the detection of the Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), vector-borne viruses, Rickettsiae and biothreat agents including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. The DEI team also evaluate diagnostic assays for external stakeholders and broader distribution across the healthcare network in the event of outbreaks and for incident response.

The Diagnostics, Evaluation and Innovation Team reviews, evaluates, develops, and implements diagnostic assays for use in UKHSA/NHS and locally for the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL), working with suppliers, commercial partners and academic groups.

As a Senior Scientist in the Diagnostics, Evaluation and Innovation Team you will provide scientific and technical expertise to deliver improved diagnostics for rare, emerging, difficult to diagnose and high consequence infectious disease agents. The post holder will also have line management responsibilities and provide surge capacity and work within the RIPL laboratory under the direction of qualified Biomedical scientists when needed.

The post holder will have a pivotal role in evaluating commercial assays and transitioning research/developmental assays for rare and difficult to diagnose pathogens into RIPL ensuring compliance with ISO15189:2022 standards and IVDR regulations. They will be expected to learn about the pathogen of interest, research possible diagnostic assays and investigate their utility against the clinical need. These tests may be for the detection of nucleic acids, protein antigens or patient antibodies. These tests must then be evaluated, and if suitable, validated and introduced into the RIPL workflow complete with SOPs, risk assessments, staff training and compliance documentation.

About us

Your key responsibilities will include to:

• Utilise bioinformatic, molecular, serological, and antigenic methods to deliver diagnostic test evaluation and validation for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens.
• Lead members of the project team or area to identify, evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies and platforms.
• Establish links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department including submission of project proposals.
• Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff as required by the project area.
• Ensure all work is carried out to a high scientific standard, complies with appropriate regulations (e.g. IVDR), quality standards and is completed on time.
• Take responsibility for the provision of reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Provide reports through collation and analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and lead on preparation of presentations and publications.
• Provide on bench surge support to the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory (RIPL), working under the supervision of Biomedical Scientists, when required.
• To perform any other duties, including line management, as required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within applicable Quality Systems.
• To maintain health and safety competence.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Selection process details

Essential Criteria - you will be assessed on the below 8 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

• Degree in relevant subject e.g. Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, Virology.
• Relevant higher degree (MSc, PhD) e.g. Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology, Virology, OR equivalent experience.
• Substantive experience of microbiological diagnostic test development including test evaluation, validation and troubleshooting for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD.
• Experience in working at ACDP CL2 and/or CL3 with a range of microbial pathogens for pathogen culture/isolation, inactivation, nucleic acid extraction and quantification and antigen preparation.
• Experience of assessing and delivering scientific improvements through laboratory automation and utilisation of bioinformatic tools.
• Experience of supervising and training other scientists and working within and across teams.
• Capable of working within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; ISO 15189), demonstrated through experience and experience in writing controlled documents and evaluating risks.
• Willing to undergo security clearance, vaccinations where required and partake in surge response team for RIPL.

Selection process details

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

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 8 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:

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

• 1000 word Statement of Suitability

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.

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

Please be aware that we will assess on the 8essential criteria stated on the advert rather than the full list on the job description document.

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

Piles Meets all essential criteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

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

• Substantive experience of microbiological diagnostic test development including test evaluation, validation and troubleshooting for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience and Technical will be tested at interview.

The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

• Managing a Quality Service (lead)
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Interviews will be held week commencing 28th April. 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 being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have 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

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.