via indeed · 27 May 2026 ·10 days ago

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

UK Health Security Agency
Salisbury parttime, fulltime
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Details
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Reference number

463120

Salary

£39,959 \- £48,117
Per Annum, Pro Rata
GBP

Job grade

Other
NHS AFC Band 6### Contract type

Fixed term### Length of employment

1 Year from start date### Type of role

Science### Working pattern

Flexible working, Full\-time, Job share, Part\-time### Number of jobs available

1
Contents
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  • Location

  • About the job

  • Benefits

  • Things you need to know

  • Apply and further information

Location
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UKHSA Scientific Campus Porton

Manor Farm Road

Porton Down

Salisbury

Wiltshire SP4 0JGAbout the job
-----------------

Job summary

The Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provide a front\-line diagnostic service for the detection of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever viruses (Ebola, Lassa, CCHF, Marburg), Arboviruses, Rickettsiae, and a range of ACDP Hazard Group 3 bacteria including Bacillus anthracis and Francisella tularensis. RIPL is also the provider of the Leptospira acute diagnostic service and the Lyme disease specialist unit diagnostic service.

We are UKAS ISO15189 accredited and hold approval to provide IBMS registration and Virology specialist portfolios. The role is for an HCPC registered specialist Biomedical Scientist to provide expert technical support for the specialist diagnostic laboratory work undertaken

within RIPL in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures with particular focus on metagenomics, as well as areas of serological diagnosis by ELISA and IFA and molecular identification using real\-time PCR

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.

Job description


  • Working with the Metagenomics Clinical Fellow, RIPL Laboratory Manager and RIPL Quality Manager, take a leading role on the laboratory aspects of implementing and maintaining a clinical metagenomics service in RIPL

  • Undertake a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including ELISA, IFA and real\-time PCR, and in line with relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189

  • Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department, including delivery of training, maintaining quality processes, management of reagents and consumables, troubleshooting of assays, non\-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management

  • Prioritise, co\-ordinate, and supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory for completion of diagnostic testing daily, including undertaking of general laboratory duties such as the disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.

  • Work independently and within a team to perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of the RIPL service provision, including metagenomics sample preparation, but also including real\-time PCR, ELISA and IFA as required by the RIPL Laboratory Manager, and in line with
relevant accreditation schemes, such as ISO15189
  • Perform required work and procedures at containment level 3, including inactivation and extraction for metagenomics and PCR

  • Oversee an area of the laboratory with support from senior staff in the department

  • Play a leading role in the delivery of training for specific areas of the laboratory

  • Take responsibility for maintaining quality processes according to ISO15189 for across specific areas of the laboratory, including, stock control, management and acceptance of reagents and consumables, organising of engineers, troubleshooting of assays, non\-conformance investigation and root cause analysis, and identifying trends and escalating to senior management

  • Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratories capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard

  • Supervise the workload of a team of staff within an area of the laboratory, prioritising, co\-ordinating and organising investigations

  • Ensuring investigations meet agreed timescales required by RIPL service level agreement and escalating in the event of delays

  • Undertake general laboratory duties including housekeeping, disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment

  • Undergo training requirements as required for the post

  • Participate in the RIPL on\-call rota to provide 24/7 cover

  • Ensure all work is undertaken in accordance with safety and ISO15189 quality requirements and complete any training requirements as required for this post

  • To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.

  • Deputise as appropriate for senior staff

  • To maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment

  • To maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology

  • To maintain a positive attitude to the work of the laboratory and other members of the team

  • Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging by actively contributing to a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

  • To ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times

  • To escalate risks that cannot be controlled to senior management team

  • To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure
This list of duties is not exhaustive

Person specification


  • HCPC registered as a Biomedical Scientist with significant post registration experience

  • Degree in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline, such as Biomedical Science

  • Experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory

  • Experience working in a regulated environment with quality systems and knowledge of ISO15189

  • Experience of diagnostic molecular biology testing and molecular methods including real\-time PCR.

  • Good knowledge and experience of serological methods including ELISA and IFA

  • Experience of analysing and interpreting information, evaluating issues, and recommending appropriate course of action.

  • Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.

  • Resilience and ability to work at pace to ensure delivery of a highly responsive diagnostic service with a 24/7 on\-call
capability

Desirable role criteria:

  • IBMS Specialist portfolio in virology

  • Experience of working at CL3

  • Experience in leading and managing small teams and/or projects
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Benefits
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  • 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%

Things you need to know
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Artificial intelligence

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.### Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience, Strengths and Technical skills

Stage 1: Application \& Sift

Success profiles Success Profiles \- GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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

  • 1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

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
The pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and ‘Meets some essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial

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