Details Reference number 350399 Salary £25,976 - £30,264 A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27% GBP Job grade Executive Officer Contract type Fixed term Length of employment until 3/2/2026 Type of role Science Working pattern Full-time Number of jobs available 1 Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Porton Down, Salisbury About the job Job summary Laboratory Scientist £25,976 - £30,264, EO (national) Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG FTC until 03/02/2026 The Research department at Porton plays an important role in preparing for and coordinating responses to potential healthcare emergencies, including possible acts of deliberate release. In addition, the department undertakes both basic and applied research into understanding infectious diseases and manufactures a number of healthcare products, including vaccines and therapeutics. The Research department at Porton performs a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The departments work covers a broad range of projects involving the development and evaluation of interventions into a range of infectious diseases e.g. TB, meningitis, anthrax and plague. The post holder will play a key role in an internationally recognised team contributing to global TB vaccine and drug initiatives. The team are responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities associated with the use of advanced in vivo models of M. tuberculosis infection for the evaluation of novel TB vaccine strategies and therapeutics. The post holder will assist with the evaluation of novel vaccines and therapeutics in the following ways: Using immunological techniques such as ELISA, Flow cytometry and PCR. Using microbiological techniques such as plating of bacteria/tissue samples and counting CFUs. Using the above techniques in a containment level 3 environment. Assisting with the preparation for individual studies Assist with data analysis and presentation In addition, the post holder will assist with on-going pandemic by contributing to SARS-CoV-2 tasks as directed by line manager. Please note: This is a NOT a Biomedical scientist post. Job description Location This is a Lab based role at Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. Working Pattern Full Time. Key Responsibilities: Utilise a range of methods/assays/techniques in support of activities associated with the project aimed to ensure project targets are met. Take responsibility for the control and stockpile of reagents for their own area of the project. Assist the project team to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods. Supply data to agreed time-scales to enable the preparation of project reports, presentations and publications. 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 Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site. To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1). To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures. 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. Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post. Person specification Essential Criteria: It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria: Essential Degree/equivalent qualification or suitable experience. Experience of safe working practices. Experience in relevant methods acquired through previous employment, placements or taught course. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Willing to undertake security clearance and/or vaccinations as required. Skills for communication on complex information and administrative matters, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills. Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands, changes in workload and working in difficult environments. Calm and methodical approach. Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales. Desirable Some postgraduate experience in relevant methods: qPCR, ELISA, CL3 work, basic laboratory techniques. Good knowledge and practical familiarity with essential techniques for project which are basic microbiology, basic molecular biology, CL3 work, RNA extraction, isolation of cells from blood samples. Experience of having worked within a regulated environment (e.g. ISO9001). Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy. Benefits Alongside your salary of £25,976, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,013 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 average employer contribution of 27% Things you need to know Selection process details Selection process details STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. STAGE 2 INTERVIEW This competition will involve an interview via Microsoft Teams. As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview: Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Working Together Delivering at Pace Expected Timeline: Advert close: 23:55hrs on 1st May 2024 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Shortlist: TBC Interviews: TBC Please note these dates could be subject to change. Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants) Nationality requirements Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at