Clinical Scientist

Service Delivery • Support the provision of safe, timely, high-quality, and cost-effective reference services • Validate clinical results and analyse genotypic data, maintaining subtyping databases • Contribute to public health responses, including outbreaks and incidents • Support implementation of new methods and maintain SOPs, COSHHs, and risk assessments • Apply microbiology expertise in routine testing and maintain professional competence • Contribute to R&D, including data analysis, presentation, and publications Health & Safety • Prioritise health, safety, and welfare of staff and visitors • Attend and report from relevant safety meetings Risk Management • Support implementation and monitoring of risk controls and escalate new risks Information Technology • Use LIMS to enter results, manage data, and support reporting Quality & Governance • Ensure compliance with ISO and accreditation standards • Participate in audits and incident reporting (Trackwise), including investigations Research & Development • Support R&D activities, evaluation of new technologies, and research projects • Contribute to grant applications and lead publications Staff Management & Training • Support recruitment, appraisal, and performance reviews • Assist in training programmes and competency assessment Support Services & Equipment • Oversee equipment maintenance and ensure performance compliance Strategy & Service Development • Contribute to strategy, innovation, and stakeholder relationships Essential Criteria For AfC T&Cs: • HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist or Biomedical Scientist (with equivalent clinical scientist work experience) For either AfC/Civil Service T&Cs: • Degree in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience • MSc or equivalent higher degree in Microbiology or relevant science subject • Demonstrable research experience (practical), evidenced through outputs such as involvement in research projects, publications (e.g. peer-reviewed papers), or equivalent experience (e.g. PhD-level work) • Significant experience in delivering reference & diagnostic microbiology • Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2 • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures and has practiced laboratory safety requirements • Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures • Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing including publications and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis • Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships • Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation • Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results • Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice • IT skills including Microsoft Word and Excel • Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales Desirable criteria: • Evidence of managerial training/advanced technical expertise • Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 3 • Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment • Knowledge of Gram negative and positive foodborne bacteria and their virulence factors • Team leadership or management • Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required • Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders • Experience of writing SOPs • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis Selection ProcessDetails(SuccessProfiles) This vacancy is usingSuccessProfiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours, and Technical skills. Stage 1: Application & Sift SuccessProfiles - GOV.UK You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 18 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) • 1500 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. Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV). 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 We will take piles "Meets all essential criteria" through to shortlisting and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of: • Degree in Microbiology or relevant biological science • MSc or equivalent higher degree in Microbiology or biological science Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountofsuccessful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview Success Profiles - GOV.UK You will be invited to a face to face interview at our site in Colindale. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours, and Technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: • Changing and improving (lead behaviour) • Managing a quality service • Delivering at pace You will need to perform a maximum of an 8-minute presentation. The presentation will be based on a dataset that you will be provided with. Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Additional Information Location This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Colindale. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist. Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the CivilService (including internal applicants) Salary Information If you are successful at interview and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Salary bands Civil Service SEO (Inner): £46,310 - £52,113 per annum, pro rata AfC Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata For those appointed on AfC T&Cs, you will be entitled to 15% of the basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,870 and a maximum payment of £6,137. Job description Job responsibilities Service Delivery • Support the provision of safe, timely, high-quality, and cost-effective reference services • Validate clinical results and analyse genotypic data, maintaining subtyping databases • Contribute to public health responses, including outbreaks and incidents • Support implementation of new methods and maintain SOPs, COSHHs, and risk assessments • Apply microbiology expertise in routine testing and maintain professional competence • Contribute to R&D, including data analysis, presentation, and publications Health & Safety • Prioritise health, safety, and welfare of staff and visitors • Attend and report from relevant safety meetings Risk Management • Support implementation and monitoring of risk controls and escalate new risks Information Technology • Use LIMS to enter results, manage data, and support reporting Quality & Governance • Ensure compliance with ISO and accreditation standards • Participate in audits and incident reporting (Trackwise), including investigations Research & Development • Support R&D activities, evaluation of new technologies, and research projects • Contribute to grant applications and lead publications Staff Management & Training • Support recruitment, appraisal, and performance reviews • Assist in training programmes and competency assessment Support Services & Equipment • Oversee equipment maintenance and ensure performance compliance Strategy & Service Development • Contribute to strategy, innovation, and stakeholder relationships Essential Criteria For AfC T&Cs: • HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist or Biomedical Scientist (with equivalent clinical scientist work experience) For either AfC/Civil Service T&Cs: • Degree in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience • MSc or equivalent higher degree in Microbiology or relevant science subject • Demonstrable research experience (practical), evidenced through outputs such as involvement in research projects, publications (e.g. peer-reviewed papers), or equivalent experience (e.g. PhD-level work) • Significant experience in delivering reference & diagnostic microbiology • Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2 • Knows and understands laboratory safety requirements and procedures and has practiced laboratory safety requirements • Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures • Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing including publications and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences • Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis • Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships • Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation • Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results • Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice • IT skills including Microsoft Word and Excel • Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales Desirable criteria: • Evidence of managerial training/advanced technical expertise • Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 3 • Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment • Knowledge of Gram negative and positive foodborne bacteria and their virulence factors • Team leadership or management • Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required • Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders • Experience of writing SOPs • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis Selection ProcessDetails(SuccessProfiles) This vacancy is usingSuccessProfiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours, and Technical skills. Stage 1: Application & Sift SuccessProfiles - GOV.UK You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 18 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) • 1500 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. Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV). 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 We will take piles "Meets all essential criteria" through to shortlisting and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of: • Degree in Microbiology or relevant biological science • MSc or equivalent higher degree in Microbiology or biological science Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountofsuccessful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview Success Profiles - GOV.UK You will be invited to a face to face interview at our site in Colindale. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours, and Technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: • Changing and improving (lead behaviour) • Managing a quality service • Delivering at pace You will need to perform a maximum of an 8-minute presentation. The presentation will be based on a dataset that you will be provided with. Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Additional Information Location This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Colindale. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist. Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the CivilService (including internal applicants) Salary Information If you are successful at interview and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Salary bands Civil Service SEO (Inner): £46,310 - £52,113 per annum, pro rata AfC Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata For those appointed on AfC T&Cs, you will be entitled to 15% of the basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £4,870 and a maximum payment of £6,137.