Commercial Biosafety Scientist

Job Summary

We are currently recruiting for a Commercial Biosafety Scientist to work within the Commercial Biosafety Team based in the Diagnostics and Genomics division at Porton Down. The Commercial arm of the Biosafety Air and Water Microbiology Group has been carrying out independent testing of infection control interventions for use in laboratories health care workplace and domestic settings for over thirty years. Our expertise is in air surface and water microbiology applied to nosocomial pharmaceutical and containment situations. This position will suit an enthusiastic scientist interested in working in a busy microbiology laboratory with the opportunity to learn new techniques and assays. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team which provides a specialist bespoke research testing and evaluation service for commercial customers and the delivery of independent analyses and reports. This skilled member of the Commercial Biosafety team will be responsible for carrying out microbiology testing for external commercial customers to defined protocols and writing the draft reports for the work. The successful applicant will assist with planning & development testing and reporting of the protocols used for testing. This position will also fulfil a number of duties in other research projects involving aerobiology microbiology and biocontainment.

Job Description

• Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques (aerosol generation air sampling biology bacterial culture etc.) in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met on time and within budget.
• Assist the project team to identify evaluate and report new procedures where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific level.
• To develop skills and understanding in the fields of microbiology aerobiology and biocontainment.
• Supply data to agreed timescales to enable the preparation of project reports presentations and publications.
• Take responsibility for the control and stocks of reagents for their own area of the project.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours: ‘Health Safety and Wellbeing’ commensurate with grade. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures other good practice and guidance
  
  
  

The post holder must have at least a BTEC level 3 qualification and significant experience (>2 years) in a microbiology topic or commercial testing environment. With proven abilities to undertake a broad range of aerobiology practices standard bacteriological and bacteria phage techniques. A high degree of flexibility is expected as the project is closely linked to other programmes of work within Biosafety.

This post holder will primarily be responsible for the delivery of testing for commercial customers using microbiology laboratory assays laboratory housekeeping and maintenance recording and reporting of results and ensuring the work is carried out to high scientific safety and quality standard.

The successful applicant will also be expected to:

• Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques (aerosol generation air sampling bacterial culture etc.) in support of all activities associated with the projects aimed to ensure project targets are met on time and within budget.
• Conduct testing of biocontainment equipment such as HEPA filters and centrifuge rotors to standard testing procedures.
• Write draft reports for the work. Results will be disseminated to commercial stakeholders through discussion and written reports.
• Take responsibility for the control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project.
• Assist the project team to identify evaluate and report new procedures where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific level.
• Supply data to agreed timescales to enable the preparation of project reports presentations and publications.
• To develop skills and understanding in the fields of microbiology aerobiology and biocontainment.
  
  
  

Person specification

You will be assessed on the below 9 essential criteria which have been selected from the Job Description

Essential criteria

• At least a BTEC level 3 qualification and significant experience (>2 years) in a microbiology topic or commercial testing environment
• Experience in relevant methods (bacteriology aerobiology containment equipment) acquired through previous employment placements or taught course relevant for project
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices in microbiology.
• Good understanding and experience of safe working practices
• Good communication skills
• Selfmotivating organized & meticulous
• Able to work flexibly to meet varying needs
• Willing to undertake further training
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently
  
  
  

Alongside your salary of £27275 UK Health Security Agency contributes £7901 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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

Please n ote 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.

This vacancy is using success profiles and will assess your behaviours experience and strengths. You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 9 essential criteria above and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1250 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.

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
  
  
  

In order to be shortlisted you must meet all and some of the essential criteria listed above.

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

• Experience in relevant testing methods/processes (bacteriology aerobiology containment equipment) acquired through previous employment placements or taught course relevant for project
  
  
  

If you are successful at this stage you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a face to face interview

Behaviours experience Technical knowledge and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
  
  
  

A technical question will be asked at interview

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 office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. If based at one of our scientific campuses 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.

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:

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.

Careers website:

Please visit our careers site for more information

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 counterterrorist 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 presettled 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 presettled 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.

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) .

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 : Thomas Pottage
• Email :
  
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email :
  
  
  

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: 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: