Healthcare Scientist

To take delegated responsibility from the Unit Head and Technical Manager through the unit scientific lead in accordance with UKHSA and RSDC policies for the following: Technical/ Scientific/ Reference services/ Research and Development Growth and maintenance of mammalian cell culture lines. Growth, amplification, and characterization of clinical virus isolates. Extraction of viral nucleic acid from clinical samples by manual and automated methods. Performance of RT-PCR for surveillance and diagnosis of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Propagation of respiratory viruses and quantitation by methods such as determination of titre by plaque assay. Support for serological analysis using neutralization, ELISA and haemagglutination inhibition. Genetic characterisation of respiratory viruses. To be responsible for the reading and analysis of test results generated and entry of results onto the LIMS system. Collate and present data for discussion. Adhering to external and internal quality
control practices. Attend meetings, plan and implement project plans. Monitor safety cabinets and carry out routine quality control procedures in order to maintain set standards. Supporting the scoping and prioritisation of new requirements as they emerge in your area where applicable representing transformation in operational and governance forums. Undertaking concise packages of delivery work which may consist of undertaking analysis, facilitating or leading solution design, co-ordinating operational delivery or creating handover materials. Supporting your manager in planning across the workstream. Building collaborative relationships with operational stakeholders, conducting handover to operational run teams at an agreed, appropriate point of delivery. Input into regular reporting relating to initiatives you are leading in line with the agile methodology used across the TDU Team, as well as feeding into general governance processes. Building up expert knowledge of operations,
stakeholders, digital solutions and data For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, as well as all Essential and Desirable Criteria, please refer to the attached Job Description. Selection Process: This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 8 essential criteria, 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 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 separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview. In the event

of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria: Post-qualification laboratory experience in microbiology or virology, cell culture and virus isolation and characterisation. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a single face to face interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview Interview 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. This role is based at Colindale . Please note hybrid working is not available for this role. 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. . Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check. 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). 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.