Job responsibilities The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties: To undertake a range of sequencing, diagnostic assays and techniques as required, meeting the needs of PHE Porton service provision. To perform targeted NGS methods such as Artic protocol. To manipulate data as required by the bioinformatic pipeline. Produce and maintain reagents to support current testing strategies and for the development of new assays. Assist in the identification, evaluation and adaptation of new technologies and diagnostic tests to enhance the laboratory's capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard. Supply data to agreed timescales required by service level agreement. To conform to the working standards outlined by UKAS ISO 15189 and ISO 9001: 2015. Support UKHSA administrative staff. Operate a range of equipment, e.g. centrifuges, analysers, safety cabinets, fridges, freezers, high throughput sequencers, etc. Please review the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities. The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Selection process details STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: Your Statement of Suitability (1200 words maximum) 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. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. STAGE 2 INTERVIEW This stage will involve an Interview in-person. The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess during your interview. The following behaviours will be used: Working Together Developing Self and Others Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace. The following Strengths will be used: Service Focused Team Player Expected Timeline: Advert close: 23:55hrs on 22nd April 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: w/c 23rd April 2024. Interviews: w/c 6th May 2024. 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 athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK Nationals of the Republic of Ireland Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. 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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment. 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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks. For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. Please Note This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/ Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form. Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/ Complaint process: 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:Complaints1ukhsa.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.