Project Team Leader - Aerosol Scientist (SEO)

UK Health Security Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 14th June 2023

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Details

Reference number

291312

Salary

£37,056 - £42,481

Lab based role at the UKHSA Porton Down site

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science
Senior leadership

Working pattern

Full-time

Location

Porton Down, Salisbury

About the job

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for a Project Team Leader – Aerosol Science to work within the Biosafety Team based with the Research & Evaluation Department at Porton Down.

The Biosafety, Air and Water Microbiology Group is an applied research group with a particular interest in how the indoor built environment contributes to the spread of infection. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team with expertise in a variety of techniques that are used to study the survival, of microorganisms on surfaces, in water and the air.

The post holder will lead a team of two scientists and will develop and manage projects investigating the dispersal and spread of airborne organisms within the indoor environment. Projects will specifically focus on the mechanisms of aerosol transmission and the efficacy of mitigations including ventilation, RPE and decontamination. Results will be disseminated to internal and external stakeholders through reports and presentations, with the post holder expected to write scientific publications and reports and contribute to guidance documents.

Location:
UKHSA Porton Down, SP4 0JG

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Job description

A knowledge of aerosol science is essential for this role, it would be desirable that any candidate have some microbiology experience but basic microbiology training can be provided for exceptional candidates with an aerosol science background.

The successful applicant will join a team committed to carrying out applied microbiology research to inform respiratory pathogen infection control and prevent waterborne and emerging healthcare-associated infections.

As a Project Team Leader your main responsibilities will include:

Lead and manage projects studying the dispersal and spread of airborne organisms within the indoor environment.
Provide input to guidance on mitigations that can reduce the spread of infections within the indoor environment, e.g. ventilation (mechanical and/or natural), decontamination.
Establish links with stakeholders and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department.
Develop, validate and utilise a range of aerosol science methods/assays/techniques in support of the aerosol science research and activities.
Analyse data and disseminate findings through provision of reports, presentations and publications.
Identify new opportunities as they arise and apply to funding calls, research collaborations or customer enquiries.
Take on line management responsibilities including the training of junior staff allocated to the projects.
Ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget.
Undertake all assigned work in accordance with UKHSA's Risk Management Systems, policies and procedures.
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.
Act in accordance with the UKHSA values and behaviours.
Perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.

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.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

Post-graduate degree and relevant experience in aerosol science, ventilation engineering, microbiology or related fields.
Good knowledge of aerobiology and aerobiology techniques.
Understanding and experience of leading projects/project teams.
Experience in working in multidisciplinary teams.
Good understanding and experience of safe working practices.

Desirable Criteria:

Good knowledge of aerosols and infection.
Good knowledge of ventilation and related engineering.
Good knowledge of microbiology techniques (culture, PCR, working in safety cabinets)

Working for UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Any move to UKHSA 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 Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form of no more than 500 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a face-to-face interview based at UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury. Alternatively, a Teams interview can be offered.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW:

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a face to face or single video interview.

All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on the essential and desirable criteria and the behaviour elements of Success Profiles.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Developing Self and Others

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.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on Wednesday 14th June – 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: 19th June 2023

Interviews: W/C – 26th June 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

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&C’s 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/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This 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 the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).

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.