Technician Scientist

Job summary

The Research and Evaluation department based at UKHSA Porton performs 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.

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) at UKHSA Porton provide a front-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever viruses (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service.

The Diagnostic Development and Implementation Team work closely with both RIPL and research and evaluation departments and is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and developing high-quality diagnostic assays, and overseeing their successful implementation into RIPL and across UKHSA/NHS, to support robust public health diagnostics. Successful applicants will join the Diagnostic Development and Implementation Team as a Technical Scientist, contributing their serological and molecular expertise to drive high quality scientific and technical project delivery.

Job description

• The post holder will contribute to the delivery of diagnostic development, evaluation and implementation projects in line with departmental scientific strategy. The role requires flexibility in responding to changing project demands, effective communication and the application of technical expertise to deliver high quality outputs. The post holder will apply molecular, serological and antigen-based techniques to support diagnostic development and evaluation projects. This will contribute to the delivery of new, improved and refined diagnostic methods for use within UKHSA. The role involves hands-on laboratory working with clinical and non-clinical samples, including materials associated with ACDP Hazard Group 2, 3 and 4 pathogens, in accordance with approved safety, containment and quality requirements.
• Working under the direction of the senior scientists, the post holder will support the identification, evaluation and adaptation of diagnostic technologies, ensuring work is conducted to a high scientific standard and in order meet team and department scientific objectives and participate in the maintenance of the laboratories, stocks and equipment.
• The post holder will contribute to surge capacity activities during outbreak responses as required and will ensure that all work is undertaken in accordance with UKHSA safety practices, quality systems, policies and procedures, maintaining personal health and safety competence.
• Assist in the development, evaluation and implementation for a range of molecular, serological and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
• Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Ensure data produced is of a high scientific standard ready to be utilised in project reports and presentations.
• Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To maintain health and safety competence
• Notifying any accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
• Comply with waste disposal protocols
• Maintain a clean, safe and tidy working environment
• Perform stock control procedures for reagent and consumable stocks within the laboratory
• Operate, maintain and clean a range of laboratory equipment safely, e.g. centrifuges, balances, microbiology safety cabinets, and pipettes
• If required, act as laboratory supervisor for specific area ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated and relevant documentation is available and up to data
• Assist with the supervision and training of junior and new staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

This list not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in relevant subject e.g., Biomedical Science/Microbiology/Virology/Molecular Biology/Immunology or equivalent relevant experience of working in a laboratory.
• Knowledge and experience of microbiological diagnostic test development, evaluation, and validation for the diagnosis of bacteria and viruses. e.g., real time PCR, ELISA, IFA, LFD
• Prior experience in working at ACDP CL2 with a range of microbial pathogens including such techniques as culture, nucleic acid extraction, antigen preparation, or work with clinical samples and diagnostic testing.
• Demonstrates experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g., ISO 9001; GLP, ISO 15189)
• Willing to undergo vaccinations where required and partake in surge response team for RIPL
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
• Demonstrates attention to detail and an interest improving the quality of diagnostic testing.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of LIMS systems for patient sample management including data analysis and queries on samples, sample types and tests
• Experience in working at ACDP CL3
• Participate in RIPL on-call team

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,547, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,270 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%