Main area Healthcare Science Grade Civil Service: Grade 7 Contract 36 months (fixed term appointment until 31/12/2029) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 919-NP-62391351-EXT
Employer UK Health Security Agency Employer type Public (Non NHS) Site Scientific Campus Town Colindale Salary £60,494 - £70,566 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/03/2026 23:59
Principal Healthcare Scientist
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
* Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
* Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
* Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
* Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
* Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Job overview
The Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAI) & Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a partnership between the UKHSA and the University of Oxford, that seeks to find ways to combat the major threats posed by HCAI and AMR. This is a mixed office/laboratory-based role, which sits within the AMR & HCAI Division of UKHSA whose mission is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and evidence-based interventions. The post holder will also be working within UKHSA’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit, which is the national reference laboratory for investigation of AMR in, and characterization of, healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens. We are seeking a talented and experienced microbiologist with expertise in both wet and dry lab aspects of the subject area who will deliver AMR- and genomic-related projects mainly within the 'Mitigating Gram-negative infections' Research Theme of the HPRU. The successful candidate will work closely with the HPRU Leads in both UKHSA and Oxford University to ensure the objectives and milestones of the HPRU are met. They will also be required to work with other collaborators and stakeholders to develop other research projects.
Main duties of the job
* Lead the management and development of relevant projects to ensure milestones and objectives are met.
* Lead and develop capacity building collaborations to ensure project targets are met, working with the relevant HPRU Leads to maintain the engagement of stakeholders.
* Lead on other externally funded projects as assigned, meeting targets in line with sponsor requirements, engaging with collaborators as required.
* Identify, bid and lead on internal and external funding with an AMR or genomics focus, or other complementary group activities to maintain capability and develop the group in line with HPRU core objectives.
* Provide reports and data as required by the HPRU Leads and NIHR, and external stakeholders.
* Build external links with collaborators and similar groups to the benefit of the HPRU and UKHSA.
* Give internal/external presentations, develop, draft and submit manuscripts on work for peer‑reviewed publications.
* Lead the project team/area to identify, evaluate and adapt new approaches where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
* Provide line and project management as required and indicated by UKHSA HPRU Leads.
* Ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems.
* Maintain health and safety competence.
* Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
This list is not exhaustive.
Working for our 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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* PhD or equivalent higher qualification and more than 3 years’ experience in an appropriate microbiology or molecular biology field
* Substantial working knowledge and experience in antimicrobial resistance and phenotypic and molecular diagnostic assays for detection of resistance
* Experience of external collaboration, with demonstrable expertise in scientific research with grant writing and publication record
* Experience of developing junior staff members, including line management experience
* Clear communicator with excellent writing skills, report writing, and presentation skills
* Evidence of success in efficient and effective project participation and management
* Conduct behaviours in a manner aligned to the Civil Service Code of Conduct
* Practical experience in whole genome sequencing on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technology platforms; some understanding of bioinformatics processes including phylogenetic analyses
* Experience of making decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be an number of courses of action
Selection Process Details
* Stage 1: Application & Sift – competency‑based assessment against 7 essential criteria. Application form and supporting statement required.
* Stage 2: Interview – single face‑to‑face interview (remote option may be offered) with competency questions and a 10‑minute presentation.
* Selection will proceed to shortlisting based on meeting essential criteria and will be limited to 3 piles: Meets all essential criteria, Meets some essential criteria. Desirable criteria may be used in case of large numbers of applications.
* Shortlisting decisions will be made using a benchmark system; if a candidate does not meet the required threshold they may be considered for a lower grade role.
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. Hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a Counter‑Terrorist Check. Applicants must normally have resided in the UK for the last 3 years.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to external applicants (including internal applicants) from outside the Civil Service.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
* Generous annual leave: 26 days for the first 5 years, 28 days after 5 years, 32 days after 10 years, plus public holidays and one privileged day for the King’s birthday.
* Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
* Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
* Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
* Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours). All employees have the right to apply for flexible working.
* Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave package.
Disability Confident Scheme
Our Disability Confident Scheme invites candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure they are invited to interview.
Contact
For further information relating to the role please contact Kelvin.Hopkins@ukhsa.gov.uk
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