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GOV.UKSenior Toxicological Risk Assessor
Food Standards Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 19th April 2023
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About the job
Job summary
Job description
The Agency’s mission to protect consumers often calls for scientific research that can provide clarity and direction to our work. Toxicological study is an area that provides broad swathes of the FSA with valuable insight on the chemical hazards that may be present in food.
Whether they are naturally occurring toxins, unwanted contaminants or food additives, there are plenty of ways that chemicals can present hazards in our food. The FSA frequently is called upon to respond to all of these, whether it’s providing policy guidance regarding the introduction of a new additive, or rapid assessments in the wake of a food-related incident. Our ability to respond and react effectively relies on the work of our toxicological risk assessors, who provide a wealth of evidence-based analysis and guidance to teams across the Agency.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Toxicological Risk Assessor to join the Science Evidence and Research Division. Leading on a wide range of projects, from detailed reports to incident response risk assessments, the successful candidate will engage in varied and fascinating work that will support not only the mission of the FSA but also the health of the wider public.
The post holder will work closely with colleagues from across the Agency, as well as other government departments, consumer representatives and scientists within our external partners’ organisations. Using their experience in scientific analysis, they will provide the insight and guidance that will drive the FSA’s response to chemical hazards that present a risk to UK consumers.
The successful candidate will need to be able to present and convey scientific issues and ideas to non-scientific audiences, working to ensure that decisions made in response to findings and recommendations will serve the public need and consumer health. From presenting these ideas to leading a small team of risk assessors, the post-holder will have strong people skills and be an excellent communicator.
The work requires flexibility, as well as the ability to deliver results at pace when necessary. If you are as comfortable working in a close-knit team as you are settling down to work on a longer project under your own initiative and are driven by a desire to deliver excellent scientific research and analysis, do not hesitate to apply.
Person specification
Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Technical Criteria: Please provide information on your scientific degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology etc.) and/or equivalent understanding of the scientific issues, and additional experience of working within toxicol
Benefits
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Selection process details
Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack. This will consist of an application shortlisting against the essential person specification criteria stated.
Lead Criteria
An initial sift may take place on just the identified Lead Criteria indicated below:
- Extensive experience of both conducting and peer reviewing chemical/toxicological risk assessments to international standards (e.g. CODEX) (Lead Criteria).
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.
If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours (Level 3 ).
Behaviours
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Experience Presentation: Extensive experience of both conducting and peer reviewing chemical/toxicological risk assessments to international standards (e.g. CODEX)
Timeline
Advert closes: Wednesday 19th April 2023
Sift: Expected to take place 25th or 28th April 2023
Final panel interview: Expected to take place W/C2nd May 2023
Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application.)
Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.
We will be holding virtual Eventbrite sessions and would love you to join us whilst we discuss the vacancy further and answer any questions you may have regarding this recruitment. Please note these sessions will also be covering our other opportunity – Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor (275694)
Monday 20th March 2023 – 14:00 – 15:00 - https://bit.ly/3l0dMWR
Friday 24th March 2023 – 11:00 – 12:00 - https://bit.ly/3F4DrEF
Thursday 30th March – 12:30 – 13:30 - https://bit.ly/3SUu1RW
The FSA is dedicated to a policy of equal opportunity for all.
Being truly reflective of our society and building a culture where everyone can perform at their best is critical to the work of the FSA. We are looking to recruit from the widest possible talent pool and encourage candidates to apply from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment and selection process and beyond. All appointments are made on merit.
Please be assured that diversity or socio–economic information requested during the course of your application plays absolutely no part in our selection processes and is not seen by anyone assessing applications. Any information provided is anonymised and used for statistical purposes only.
We actively review the deployment of talent on a periodic basis in the interests of optimising personal development and the achievement of business plans.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview, but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Claire Potter
- Email : Claire.Potter@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team :
- Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
