UKHSA Colindale, NW9 5EW
Job Summary
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. GBRU has a high propriety in ensuring the safe running of laboratory services and the safety of all staff.
Working for your organisation
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
The post holder will provide leadership and expertise in managing the development and delivery of reference services, particularly with respect to changing practice and streamlining existing work-flows.
They will ensure that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the unit and ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes genomic and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimens.
The post holder will manage safety within the GBRU containment level 3 facility and ensure that processes are followed according to HSE legislation. The role also involves producing detailed reports for local outbreak response teams and Incident Management Teams during outbreaks and incident investigations. Additionally, they will contribute to reports and peer-reviewed publications, with a particular focus on leading publications related to genomic data.
The post holder will head a specialist scientific service, with line-management responsibility for a range of staff including, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists, database managers and bioinformaticians, and the supervision of students. The principal responsibility of the post holder will be to provide leadership and expertise to deliver, and further develop, high quality reference services within their specialist area.
Scientific Responsibilities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities:
Lead a specialist scientific service within GBRU through the following activities:
- Under the overall strategic guidance of the Head of Unit, provide effective scientific and professional leadership for a specialist scientific area including organisation, supervision and delivery of national reference services and by providing advice, expertise and specialist information.
- Responsible for ensuring the preparation and dissemination of GBRU outputs comprising provision of timely laboratory results and reports, presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
- Maintain and further develop the international and national reputation of national microbiology reference functions through development of strategic academic, public sector and other partnerships including participation, design, implementation and overall management of R&D projects within area of expertise
- Act in response to national and international health alerts and in discharge of UK commitments to International Health Regulations (IHR) through efficient threat detection and reporting and to provide scientific advice to international agencies such as ECDC and WHO on request.
- Participate in scientific fora to help maintain the high standard of analytical work by staff in GBRU and ensure representation at key scientific and medical conferences
Managerial Responsibilities
Within the defined specialist area to undertake the following managerial functions as required:
- Lead, manage and develop a team of staff working within the specialist area including design of an appropriate program of staff training to ensure GBRU meets its objectives.
- To take a full part in the career and professional development of staff within the team. Conduct staff appraisals and manage performance issues as required.
- To develop and maintain effective internal communications and good working relationships with staff and with staff from other reference services.
- To develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required.
- To maintain high scientific, technical and professional standards amongst staff including staff commitment to national strategy.
- To ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, in collaboration with the designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security Information Officer.
- In liaison with the Operations Manager, monitor non-pay spending by the Section, flagging any significant capital expenditure.
- Contribute to the risk management strategy by identifying and evaluating key threats within the Risk Register.
- Contribute to the Business Continuity Plan, ensuring that essential Section services/activities are appropriately flagged. Clinical and Professional Responsibilities
- Provide expert and specialist advice on scientific and technical solutions to UKHSA and external stakeholders.
- Liaise with scientific and IT staff from external organisations involved in molecular surveillance of pathogens.
- Ensure compliance with policies and guidelines to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the integrity of projects and services. Teaching and Training Responsibilities
- To promote the personal and professional development of staff through creation of personal development plans, regular performance review, and identification and meeting of training needs.
- To ensure all staff and assigned visitors or trainees are competent to carry out the tasks given to them, ensuring that levels of supervision are sufficient.
- To develop and supervise postgraduate research projects and support the organisation of, and participating in training programmes for staff, visitors and professional groups such as infection control teams, health care workers, microbiologists and epidemiologists.
- Design materials for, and undertake, teaching/lecturing, both within UKHSA and in external institutions to a range of audiences including post-graduate students, public health specialists, NHS staff and ministerial level foreign dignitaries.
- Undertake peer-review of grants and manuscripts as requested.
Other
- Ensure high-quality, responsive support activities are delivered to stakeholders.
- Contribute to the organisation's strategic and operational goals, aligning with the broader objectives of UKHSA.
- Perform any other duties relevant to the role and within the job grade framework.
- 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 your line manager.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
- It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
The post holder will provide leadership and expertise in managing the development and delivery of reference services, particularly with respect to changing practice and streamlining existing work-flows.
They will ensure that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the unit and ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes genomic and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimens.
The post holder will manage safety within the GBRU containment level 3 facility and ensure that processes are followed according to HSE legislation. The role also involves producing detailed reports for local outbreak response teams and Incident Management Teams during outbreaks and incident investigations. Additionally, they will contribute to reports and peer-reviewed publications, with a particular focus on leading publications related to genomic data.
The post holder will head a specialist scientific service, with line-management responsibility for a range of staff including, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists, database managers and bioinformaticians, and the supervision of students. The principal responsibility of the post holder will be to provide leadership and expertise to deliver, and further develop, high quality reference services within their specialist area.
Other
- Ensure high-quality, responsive support activities are delivered to stakeholders.
- Contribute to the organisation's strategic and operational goals, aligning with the broader objectives of UKHSA.
- Perform any other duties relevant to the role and within the job grade framework.
- 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 your line manager.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
- It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- MSc in Biomedical Sciences or Life Sciences; or equivalent qualification
- PhD in Biomedical Sciences or Life Sciences; or equivalent qualification; or equivalent work experience leading a research service in a microbiology field
- Clinical scientist or Biomedical Scientist Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registration
- Demonstrable expertise/national recognition in the specialist subject area covered by post
- Experience of assessing new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change and improvements in microbiology service delivery
- Knowledge and experience of safety requirements and procedures at level commensurate with the post
- Understands quality assurance principles and procedures and has experience of working within a quality system
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
NHS Pension
This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions. Please note:
- If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
- If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.
- If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.
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:
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 1000 word supporting statement
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 supporting statement 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:
- Experience of assessing new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change and improvements in microbiology service delivery
- Knowledge and experience of safety requirements and procedures at level commensurate with the post
- Understands quality assurance principles and procedures and has experience of working within a quality system
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 (Success Profiles)
You will be invited to a remote interview.
Behaviours, technical skills and experience will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The title of this will be: “From Data to Action: Strengthening Salmonella Laboratory Response Systems”.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be:
- Changing and Improving
- Leadership
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
Interviews will be held week commencing 10th November 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
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 lab based at Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ. Please note that hybrid working is not available with 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 Check clearance.
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.
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.
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).
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 : Jon Payne
- Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@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
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