Diagnostic Research Scientist

UK Health Security Agency; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A national public health organization in Bournemouth seeks an experienced laboratory scientist to enhance diagnostic capabilities for outbreaks and pandemics. This role involves developing and implementing diagnostic methods, supervising junior staff, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The candidate should be passionate about improving the availability of diagnostics and work collaboratively with various partners. A commitment to equality and inclusivity is central to the organization's ethos.

Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory diagnostics and high containment level work.
• Ability to evaluate and adapt new diagnostic technologies.
• Skills in data collation and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement diagnostic methods for pathogens.
• Supervise and train junior staff on the project.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop/Evaluate/Implement and utilise a range of molecular, serological, and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens, ensuring targets are met according to agreed specifications and timelines.
• Take responsibility for the provision of equipment, reagents and consumables required for the project and documented storage of materials generated.
• Undertake training to enable adequate supervision of CL2 laboratories and oversee the completion of housekeeping duties in line with site specific procedures.
• Independent working under the direction of the Project Team Leader to identify, evaluate and adapt new commercial diagnostic technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Participate in the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project in specific areas of expertise.
• Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
• To maintain health and safety competence.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

The Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation department is based at Porton and perform a range of research activities, including high containment level work. We are part of the UKHSA's ambition to be world-leading in capabilities and contribution to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. The department's work covers a broad range of projects involving pathogen characterisation; virology and pathogenesis; diagnostics, innovation and evaluation, and biosafety and environmental microbiology.

We are seeking an experienced laboratory scientist who is passionate about improving the availability of diagnostics for future outbreaks and pandemics. The Diagnostic Accelerator requires staffing, expertise, and capabilities to deliver laboratory and point of care diagnostics for pandemic preparedness. The work will focus on the rapid development of diagnostics, in response to and to be better prepared for, outbreaks of new and emerging pathogens. The accelerator will collaborate with external commercial and /or academic partners, as well as with other teams in the division, across Science Group within UKHSA. Externally the function will work with academia, commercial diagnostic firms, HMG, FIND, CEPI, WHO, BMGF, USG and other bodies to support the development, regulatory approval and deployment of diagnostics. The function will also work closely with Standards, Regulatory and Quality Assurance directorate to ensure compliance with all appropriate national and international regulations.

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.