Senior Toxicologist

Job summary

The Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCCE) at the UK Health Security Agency provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. The Toxicology Department provides Public Health advice to other parts of RCCE, the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments and agencies, Local Authorities and other stakeholders including members of the public on the risks to health from environmental hazards (chemicals, particles and bioaerosols). The Toxicology Department undertakes research that underpins chemical regulation and policy development. All of the research underpins the UKHSA role in public health protection from environmental hazards.

The International Regulation Group within the Toxicology Department undertakes translational research activities using in silico, in vitro and in vivo models for chemical hazard assessment, and works to harmonise these tools in collaboration with international partners, particularly the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Test Guideline Programme and related bodies. The OECD Environment Health and Safety programme covers the safe use of chemicals, nanomaterials, pesticides, biocides, and products of modern biotechnology. It aims to protect health and the environment, while avoiding duplication of effort, ensuring that efficiencies are made and barriers to trade avoided.

Job description

• The post is a predominantly desk based scientific research role. You may manage junior toxicologists.
• The post holder will provide and contribute to the toxicology and public health input to international chemical regulation programmes specifically, but not exclusively the OECD Test Guidelines programme and related OECD work.
• This will involve collaborating and coordinating with leading senior scientists in UKHSA and across UK government and associated agencies and to ensure the standard of oversight and UK contributions to the Test Guideline and other regulatory programmes is maintained and developed. This will require the ability critically review complex data sets and carry out critical reviews of evidence. Experience in computational tool development and modelling of data, or laboratory skills, is highly desirable. The post holder will support the UK Human Health National Coordinator for the OECD Test Guideline programme, and the Working Party on Hazard Assessment as required and will publish research findings in leading journals in both a lead and senior author capacity and make presentations at learned societies and the OECD. They will be expected to apply for external funding to support translational research activities.
• The postholder will also be expected to input into a programme of laboratory development and validation of New Approach Methodologies, including in silico tools, in the chemicals regulatory space addressing Refinement and Replacement.
• Contribute to and take responsibility for specific aspects of the design, development and completion of in vivo and in vitro data analysis tasks.
• Develop expert scientific and regulatory relevant advice on the hazard assessment of chemicals.
• Design, execute and undertake studies to support the development and validation of appropriate methods for chemical testing to support regulatory objectives for chemical safety.
• Contribute to the management of regulatory /translational research projects including: planning, experimental design, procedures and data analysis.
• Be the support lead for UKHSA, collaborating with senior government officials and officials in national and international bodies in particular the OECD, in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area and in the provision of advice.
• Collaborate with internal and external scientists in the development of proposals for funding and the development of programmes for experimental work.
• Produce sound scientific papers for external peer reviewed publication and give presentations at levels including international conferences.
• Assist in the supervision of junior staff, internal and from collaborating organisations (eg MSc, PhD students).
• Undertake specific development tasks for the Group Leader (eg Health and Safety responsibilities).

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• PhD qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or experience of working at a similar level in a relevant area of regulatory toxicology
• Experience of assessing health risks from chemicals
• Awareness of broad public health and environmental issues
• Ability to critically assess relevant data and information to assess the toxicity of chemicals journals
• Experience in vitro cell culture and /or in silico tool development
• Good scientific writing skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, and plan work over short-, medium- and long-term timeframes
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable criteria:

• Inclusion in UK Register of Toxicologists
• Experience in test method (pre)validation
• Experience in public health
• Regulatory experience
• Experience in industry
• Experience of teaching or training

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,789 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).

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's 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.

• 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.

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