Senior Biomedical Scientist

The Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) is a National Reference Laboratory and provides specialist and reference services for a specific range of hazard group 2 and 3 gastrointestinal and foodborne bacterial pathogens notably Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, C. botulinum, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia and Vibrio species. GBRU works at local, regional, national, and international levels to reduce the impact of food, water and environmentally borne illnesses on people's health. Activities include provision of bacterial typing services to assist national surveillance, the detection and investigation of outbreaks and specialist microbiological services for the examination of clinical, food, water, and environmental samples. Currently, a combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods is used to detect, identify, and type bacterial isolates and this increasingly involves the use of whole genome sequencing. We are streamlining workflows for different pathogens across the unit to facilitate implementation of new technology whilst maintaining the capability to perform standard reference methods.,

• As a senior scientist& team leader, assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 and CL3 reference services within GBRU
• To undertake DNA-based detection and typing for a range of bacterial pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction, fAFLP and whole genome sequencing (WGS).
• Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms, outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
• To assist and deputise the section heads, dealing with customer queries and ensuring the section is run and maintained in an effective and economical manner.
• To provide technical support to GBRU Reference Services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements.
• Report non-conformances and undertake root cause analysis and implement actions for improvement of processes and services.
• Ensure compliance with ISO15189 & ISO17025 and other accreditation and certification standards.
• Supervise and when required organise the daily work for lower graded staff, temporary staff, visitors, and students.
• Undertake IPR for lower grade staff and support development of staff in their respective roles in GBRU.
  
  We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA 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.