Healthcare Scientist (Genomics) - Manchester Laboratory

Manchester Laboratory

Job Summary

We are seeking a Healthcare Scientist (EO) however a successful candidate holding State Registration with HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist may be appointed on NHS AfC T&Cs.

UKHSA provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nation’s health. Its ambition is to lead nationally, and enable locally, a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England, regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge and skills. UKHSA is an executive agency of the Department of Health. It is a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy to advise and support government, local authorities and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.

Public health laboratories are specialist clinical departments which require specialist, and often dedicated, medical microbiology support. The laboratories provide expert advice and support, particularly for the investigation of outbreaks and incidents and serious epidemics, such as SARS-CoV-2. These services can be delivered in partnership with colleagues in the NHS, for example UKHSA laboratories can be situated with NHS Trusts and services can also be delivered in partnership with colleagues in academia.

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.  

Job Description

Main duties of the job

The Manchester sequencing service provides a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for SARS-CoV-2 and N. meningitidis and is developing services for other pathogens. Techniques used include nucleic acid extraction, PCR or hybridization-based enrichment, and both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore based library preparation and sequencing of viral and bacterial targets. The laboratory has a strong service delivery focus and commitment to continuously improving methods for rapid and high throughput genomics to enhance its function.

To take a supporting role in the routine provision, delivery and development of genomic services for customers of the genomics laboratory. The post holder will perform routine genomic testing and laboratory tasks, assist and supervise staff during daily operations. The post holder will also be expected to train other members of the team.

The post holder will be expected to always maintain the required high standards and quality to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of genomic sequencing technologies & science and current working practices within the laboratory. Additional roles will be assigned by the laboratory manager and technical manager.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

General

• Perform routine genomic workflow processes: nucleic acid extraction, amplicon generation, sequencing library preparation, and loading.
• Process specimens and undertake related laboratory tasks, leading to result reporting and interpretation (where qualified), following SOPs and policies.
• Maintain consumables and equipment in your area, including automated equipment per manufacturer guidelines.
• Designate tests for samples based on knowledge and experience.
• Adhere to UKHSA and laboratory policies, SOPs, and professional guidelines.
• Organise and maintain high standards in laboratory work, technical skills, and professional competence.
• Highlight important or unusual results to senior/medical staff and report complaints or anomalies.
• Demonstrate understanding of sequencing processes and develop scientific knowledge through ongoing training.
• Communicate effectively with team members and healthcare professionals.
• Monitor and respond to quality control results and protocol changes.
• Perform manual and automated techniques in WGS workflows, following SOPs.
• Supervise lower-grade AO staff and support their development.
• Ensure data confidentiality in line with the Data Protection Act.
• Support income generation activities and contribute to SOP writing, review, and compliance.
• Review and analyse data for customer release.
• Take action to prevent service delivery delays or failures.
• Collaborate with other departments and support staff secondments or rotations
• Assist in staff performance monitoring, daily supervision, and organisation.
• Support staff training and be mindful of staff wellbeing.
  
  

Financial management

• Contribute to maintaining and developing laboratory services within available resources.
  
  

Technical Services

• Maintain professional competence and stay updated on relevant technologies.
• Support and develop WGS services per UKHSA policy.
• Ensure accurate, timely lab results and maintain high work standards.
• Troubleshoot WGS-related issues and maintain workflow documentation.
  
  

Support Services and Equipment

• Assist in equipment maintenance and LIMS support.
• Ensure timely and effective delivery of assigned activities.
  
  

Teaching

• Ensure staff and trainees are competent in assigned tasks.
• Participate in training programs.
• Train staff in WGS methods to ensure service resilience.
  
  

Quality

• Support compliance with UKAS and other accreditation standards.
• Participate in internal and external quality assurance programs.
• Address housekeeping queries and share relevant updates.
  
  

Information Technology

• Use LIMS systems for sample and result tracking.
• Operate software for sequencing workflows, data analysis, and documentation.
• Support workflow changes for new tests and service improvements.
  
  

Safety

• Promote a strong safety culture and adhere to UKHSA health and safety policies.
• Implement remedial actions from safety audits and inspections.
  
  

Other

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization.
  
  

Professional Development

• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e., fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
  
  

Communication and key working relationships

Internal

• UKHSA Manchester Laboratory Manager, technical manager, all staff within the laboratory and with staff from other UKHSA departments
• UKHSA safety, training or quality leads, as appropriate.
• UKHSA Bioinformatics team.
  
  

External

• Collaborators, visitors, external customers and stakeholders.
• Partners and suppliers.
• Staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA.
• Professional contacts including UKAS staff.
• Suppliers of Liquid Handling and Sequencing Platforms.
  
  

Main duties of the job

The Manchester sequencing service provides a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for SARS-CoV-2 and N. meningitidis and is developing services for other pathogens. Techniques used include nucleic acid extraction, PCR or hybridization-based enrichment, and both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore based library preparation and sequencing of viral and bacterial targets. The laboratory has a strong service delivery focus and commitment to continuously improving methods for rapid and high throughput genomics to enhance its function.

To take a supporting role in the routine provision, delivery and development of genomic services for customers of the genomics laboratory. The post holder will perform routine genomic testing and laboratory tasks, assist and supervise staff during daily operations. The post holder will also be expected to train other members of the team.

The post holder will be expected to always maintain the required high standards and quality to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of genomic sequencing technologies & science and current working practices within the laboratory. Additional roles will be assigned by the laboratory manager and technical manager.

Other

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization.
  
  

Professional Development

• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e., fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
  
  

Communication and key working relationships

Internal

• UKHSA Manchester Laboratory Manager, technical manager, all staff within the laboratory and with staff from other UKHSA departments
• UKHSA safety, training or quality leads, as appropriate.
• UKHSA Bioinformatics team.
  
  

External

• Collaborators, visitors, external customers and stakeholders.
• Partners and suppliers.
• Staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA.
• Professional contacts including UKAS staff.
• Suppliers of Liquid Handling and Sequencing Platforms.
  
  

Person specification

Role Criteria And Other Requirements

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

• Graduate degree in relevant subject i.e., microbiology or biological science.
• Significant experience working in a diagnostic microbiology, virology or genomics laboratory. Understanding of:
• UKAS standards.
• Supporting R&D activities.
• Health & Safety
• Data Protection and Information Governance legislation
• National Standards.
• Experience of using computerised systems
• Experience of working in a healthcare environment
• Clear communicator and effective interpersonal skills. Articulate and clear thinking
• Able to respond positively to change
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to solve problems in a calm and efficient manner
• Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office with intermediate keyboard skills
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
  
  

Desirable Role Criteria:

• Experience of working in whole genome sequencing and/or sanger services, and automation in relevant areas
• Experience of training staff
  
  

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.

• 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%
  
  

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles

Stage 1: Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert

You Will Be Required To Complete An:

• Application form
• 1,000 words Supporting statement
  
  

Health jobs UK has a word limit of 1,500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words.

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 supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria
  
  

The following will be taken through to the next stage: Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Graduate degree in relevant subject i.e., microbiology or biological science.
• Significant experience working in a diagnostic microbiology, virology or genomics laboratory.
  
  

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles) 

You will be invited to a single remote interview

Behaviours, Experience, Technical Skills Will Be Tested At Interview

Experience in laboratory WGS service delivery

Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
  
  

You will be asked technical skills aimed to assess the following criteria:

• Significant experience working in a diagnostic microbiology, virology or genomics laboratory. Understanding of: UKAS standards. Supporting R&D activities. Health & Safety. Data Protection and Information Governance legislation. National Standards.
  
  

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. 

Eligibility Criteria - External 

Open to all external applicants from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).  

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Manchester Pathogen Genomics Laboratory. Please note that this role is not being offered as hybrid working.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If based at one of our labs, 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates for this role must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.  

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
  
  

For This Role You Will Also Need To Meet:

• Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)
  
  

DBS Requirement:

• Basic DBS
  
  

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

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)

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Link Below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

Internal Fraud check If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

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.

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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Ben Brown
• Email : ben.brown@ukhsa.gov.uk
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : recrutiment@ukhsa.gov.uk
  
  

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7617141