Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent position within the Novel and Dangerous Pathogens (NADP) training team – a Microbiology Trainer based at Porton Down.
The Novel and Dangerous Pathogens (NADP) training group sits in the Operations team, within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories (SML) directorate. This directorate sits within the Science Group. NADP training team provides training for the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) division and the Pathogen Characterisation Diagnostics & Evaluation (PCDE) division within the SML directorate. Its work focuses on designing and delivering scientific and safety training for scientists within our department but also providing those courses on a commercial basis to scientists in the UK and Internationally. The group is also part of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Applied Biosafety and Training and so supports WHO to provide training internationally. As such multiple international links and networks are part of its remit.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide scientific, training and presentation support in a team with responsibility to develop and deliver new high quality course programmes and materials as required for internal and external customers in the UK and Internationally.
The post holder will be required to work on a number of projects, concurrently, and as such the individuals will need to be organised, have the ability to prioritise effectively, and be flexible to meet the requirements of the project(s) they work on. Effective communication, with the ability to present both internally and externally to a diverse pool of stakeholders is essential for this role.
The post holder will communication, build and maintain key working relationships with (but not be limited to):
Internal
- Line manager, NADP Training team, General Project Manager, speakers, experts from different centres and divisions of the UKHSA
External
- Collaborators, commercial customers, auditors, speakers, course commissioners, schools and children
About us
Research & Evaluation department (VDEC and PCDE), based at UKHSA Porton, is the UK’s largest capability for the handling of dangerous human pathogens and animal modelling of infectious diseases. The capability is used to understand pathogenesis and undertake pre-clinical development and assessment of new vaccines and therapeutics. The capability is also used to undertake studies in microbiological aerobiology, decontamination and detection, and to develop diagnostic assays for clinical use. Studies are focussed on high priority activities including: SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Q Fever, Anthrax, Melioidosis, Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease, Tuberculosis, Monkeypox, Influenza, Pertussis, Meningococcal disease, Group B Streptococcal disease, Legionnaires Disease, Healthcare Acquired Infections, Anti-Microbial Resistance, etc.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include:
- Help with the preparation and delivery of courses assigned to you to meet the learning needs of UKHSA staff and commercial customers, including those using live agents.
- Source and order consumables, equipment and services as required by the Training team.
- Update and modify presentations for courses on Microbiology and Biosafety topics as required by line management ensuring consistent formatting.
- Deliver practical demonstrations to groups of delegates for the purpose of laboratory training
- Deliver presentations to trainees and at conferences as required
- Assist in the co-ordination and delivery of training courses on and off site. This will include other UKHSA laboratories, UK facilities and overseas facilities. Notice of at least 2 months will be given before any of these courses.
- Ensure courses run smoothly, ensuring relevant speakers are booked, facilities secured and resources are available
Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability (in no more than 1000 words)
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined. 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 (this will be used in sifting process and will not be scored).
STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT: You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on their technical experience and a blended interview against a mixture of Behaviours and Strength elements of Success Profiles.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Technical Skills will be assessed against the knowledge and expertise criterion set out in the job description.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Grade and Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.
Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
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.
Flexible Working
UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. Business travel between base location and any other UKHSA offices will be covered under the UKHSA Travel and Expenses policy. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.
Late applications will not be considered.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include:
- Help with the preparation and delivery of courses assigned to you to meet the learning needs of UKHSA staff and commercial customers, including those using live agents.
- Source and order consumables, equipment and services as required by the Training team.
- Update and modify presentations for courses on Microbiology and Biosafety topics as required by line management ensuring consistent formatting.
- Deliver practical demonstrations to groups of delegates for the purpose of laboratory training
- Deliver presentations to trainees and at conferences as required
- Assist in the co-ordination and delivery of training courses on and off site. This will include other UKHSA laboratories, UK facilities and overseas facilities. Notice of at least 2 months will be given before any of these courses.
- Ensure courses run smoothly, ensuring relevant speakers are booked, facilities secured and resources are available
Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability (in no more than 1000 words)
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined. 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 (this will be used in sifting process and will not be scored).
STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT: You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on their technical experience and a blended interview against a mixture of Behaviours and Strength elements of Success Profiles.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Technical Skills will be assessed against the knowledge and expertise criterion set out in the job description.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Grade and Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.
Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
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.
Flexible Working
UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. Business travel between base location and any other UKHSA offices will be covered under the UKHSA Travel and Expenses policy. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.
Late applications will not be considered.
Person Specification
Experience – CV/Application Form
Essential
Experience – Statement Of Suitability/ Supporting Statement
Essential
- Statement Of Suitability/ Supporting Statement
Person Specification
Experience – CV/Application Form
Essential
Experience – Statement Of Suitability/ Supporting Statement
Essential
- Statement Of Suitability/ Supporting Statement
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
