Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Participate in the provision of an analytical service, including the production of accurate and relevant results and reports.
• Assist with the supervision of the day to day running of the laboratory.
• Be involved in all aspects of sample reception and complete pre-analysis processing for the microbiological examination of samples received in the laboratory, ensuring samples are valid and tested appropriately.
• Work independently or as part of a team (under guidance) to undertake the full microbiological analysis of a wide range of samples, including test selection, in accordance with laboratory and customer requirements.
• Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of more senior staff and report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
• Assist other team members in all aspects of technical work and take on delegated responsibilities from more senior staff.
• Assist in the management of outbreaks, ensuring adequate resources are available to carry out the necessary work.
• Liaise with medical, scientific, and other staff of the UKHSA in all matters of common interest

Customer Relationships

• Respond to requests and accurately communicate routine, unequivocal results to customers, including interpretation and reporting of written and verbal results

Quality Management Systems

• Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements.
• Support the laboratory’s accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
• Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring good working practices and maintain a high standard of work, including participating in Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assessment schemes.
• Assist, where appropriate, in regular audits of departmental procedures in support of the Quality Manager and assist in the analysis of the results.

Asset Management

• Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance.
• Assist in the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensuring that they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.
• Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment in order to ensure efficient and safe operation.

Management

• Take responsibility for the supervision of the day-to-day activities of less experienced staff

Strategy, Policy and Service Development

• Assist in the improvement and development of the service, in the interests of efficiency and in order to meet changing demands.
• Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing.
• Support and participate in FW&E surveys, trials and research work and projects in collaboration with other senior staff of the FWEMS laboratories.
• Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives, in conjunction with the Laboratory Management Team.
• Participate in periodic reviews of laboratory methods with respect to performance and relevance.

IT Infrastructure

• Become competent in the use of the laboratory’s IT systems and participate in the basic inputting of data into the system

Security/Health and Safety

• Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems and Technology Security policy.
• Ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
• Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
• Agree to implement safety objectives. Ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented.
• Ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained. Report risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Manager.
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.

Other Duties

• On an occasional basis the post holder will be expected to visit external sites and take samples that require special skills and training.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Laboratory Manager of the Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory within the framework of the job summary.
• Be prepared to work flexibly across the entire FWEMS if occasionally required, maintaining appropriate levels of training as necessary.

Professional Development

• Pursue a program 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.
• Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. 

Please see the job description for the full list responsibilities.

Essential Criteria 

• BSc (Hons) Science degree or BTEC in Microbiology/Biomedical Science with previous experience in microbiology; or equivalent experience of working in a microbiological / scientific role to gain degree-level understanding of science / microbiology.
• Extensive working knowledge of laboratory areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed.  Also, to demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology
• Understanding of quality management systems, especially in relation to UKAS Accreditation
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
• Experience of automated testing systems
• Knowledge of administrative procedures, project management or information analysis
• Skills for communication of complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Skills for supporting project management, including ensuring that projects meet financial targets
• Skills for manipulating information
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision, working to tight and often changing timescales
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, but also in relation to management systems
• Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness

Selection Process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, and Abilities.

Stage 1: Application & Sift 

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 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.  

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.  

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together. 

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

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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting. 

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

• Extensive working knowledge of laboratory areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed.  Also, to demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology

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 face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to consider remote interviews. 

Behaviours, Strengths, and Abilities will be tested at interview.

 The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

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

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 being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note that 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 Terrorism Checks.

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. 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.