Assistant Healthcare Scientist

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Healthcare Scientist to join our dedicated team within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate. In this role, you will support key microbiology and molecular laboratory functions under supervision, working in line with established protocols and standard operating procedures. You will contribute to the timely and efficient delivery of reference and surveillance services, playing an essential role in public health protection.
Your responsibilities will include using the Laboratory Information Management System, performing general laboratory tasks, and assisting with maintaining the lab’s quality and safety systems. This is an exciting opportunity for professional growth, with training provided to further develop your skills in microbiology and molecular science.
You will collaborate with internal teams across the UKHSA and maintain communication with external partners such as NHS laboratories and private companies, ensuring accurate and timely responses to day-to-day enquiries. If you're passionate about healthcare science and looking for a role that offers hands-on experience and development opportunities, this could be the perfect next step in your career., As an Assistant Healthcare Scientist within the Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL), your responsibilities will include:
+ Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support the reference service for microbiological samples, assisting in routine preparation and examination.
+ Perform laboratory testing, including molecular, serological, and microbiological techniques, following training and competency assessment.
+ Assist in the general running and maintenance of the laboratory, including monitoring equipment, maintaining stocks, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety systems.
+ Process and enter test results into the Laboratory Information Management System, ensuring timely and accurate data entry.
+ Contribute to the implementation of new methods and technologies to enhance the quality and efficiency of testing.
+ Perform reception and clerical duties, including receiving specimens and maintaining the stock of consumables to ensure adequate service provision.
+ Take part in archiving duties, organizing both physical and electronic archives, and disposing of samples in line with documented procedures.
+ Collaborate with the Quality and Safety Team to ensure compliance with standards such as CPA, ISO 15189, and other accreditation requirements.
+ Participate in internal and external quality assurance programs and follow Standard Operating Procedures and protocols.
+ Ensure the health and safety of self and others and report any risks or safety concerns to senior staff.
+ Use IT tools and software, including Excel and LIMS, to record and manage data.
+ Pursue continuous professional development and undertake mandatory training as required by UKHSA policies.
This role offers the opportunity to work on critical public health initiatives, supporting high-quality laboratory services while contributing to the development and growth of laboratory capabilities.
As an Assistant Healthcare Scientist within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate at UKHSA, you will play a vital role in supporting the microbiological and molecular functions of the department. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for assisting with the preparation, examination, and processing of a variety of samples. Your work will contribute directly to the provision of reference and surveillance services, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of laboratory testing and results.
In this role, you will perform routine laboratory tests, including molecular techniques such as nucleic acid extraction and PCR, as well as microbiological and serological techniques. Under supervision, you will be involved in reading test results and entering them into the Laboratory Information Management System, ensuring that data is accurately recorded and managed. You will also assist in maintaining the laboratory’s equipment and stock, ensuring that consumables are available, and equipment is properly maintained and calibrated.
Your role will also involve contributing to the laboratory’s quality and safety systems, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards such as CPA and ISO 15189. You will work closely with the Quality and Safety Team to maintain high standards of laboratory practice, participating in internal and external quality assurance programs, and helping to implement new methods and technologies to improve the lab’s efficiency and effectiveness.
You will also be responsible for clerical duties, such as receiving and processing samples, managing archives, and responding to enquiries from both internal and external stakeholders, including NHS laboratories and private companies. As part of the team, you will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing training and development, gaining experience in advanced laboratory techniques and contributing to the continuous improvement of laboratory services.
This role is key to supporting the efficient operation of the laboratory, and you will be expected to work flexibly across the department as needed. With opportunities for professional growth and the chance to contribute to important public health initiatives, this position offers a rewarding career path in healthcare science., You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 7 listed essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description and this will be in the form of
+ an Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application
+ a 750 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how 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.
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on
+ GCSE or equivalent in English, Maths and Science.
+ Good time keeping.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a single face to face interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews dates 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 based at Colindale . Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
If based at one of our scientific locations 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
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
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 here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Face to Face interviews
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

+ GCSE or equivalent in English, Maths and Science.
+ Good time keeping.
+ Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy.
+ Ability to work effectively as part of a team
+ Able to follow standard operating procedures.
+ Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
+ An ability to maintain confidentiality and trust.

Alongside your salary of £27,712, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,028 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ 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%