Do you have a strong background in clinical and public health microbiology? Do you enjoy researching literature, writing, reviewing and editing to develop and improve UK Standard for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMIs)? Do you want to work with a diverse and collaborative team of professionals at the UKHSA Colindale?
If yes, then you might be the perfect fit for the office-based Healthcare Scientist Principal (Research) role in the Standards Unit, part of the Quality and Regulatory Affairs (QRA) and Specialist Microbiology Laboratories (SML) Directorate of Science Group at UKHSA Colindale.
You will:
- Lead and manage research activities for UK SMIs and the Standards Unit team, ensuring high-quality outputs and outcomes.
- Design and develop new and innovative activities and UK SMIs, in line with the latest scientific evidence and best practice.
- Develop and implement databases for UK SMIs, facilitating and supporting research into new practices and the development of forward planning activity.
- Lead and deliver training and maintain the quality and accreditation standards for the service, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and policies.
- Research, write, review, and edit UK SMIs, liaising with users and experts across the UK, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency.
- Provide line management support for junior staff and operational management as required, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.
- Contribute to other work in QRA and SML as needed, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.
Location
Based at UKHSA Colindale with an expectation of at least 3 days per week on-site
- Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern - Full Time, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working,
Job description
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Take delegated responsibility from the Head of Unit in accordance with UKHSA and SML policies and procedures for the following:
Staff Management
- Manage line reports in Standards Unit using sound management practices to communicate, motivate and support changes that impact on the work of the Unit.
Service Delivery:
- To take responsibility for research and development of UK SMIs including the writing, reviewing, and editing of draft and completed documents
Customer Relationships
- Take a lead role in the customer interaction and ensure that customer needs are met without detriment to UK SMIs.
Budget Responsibilities
- To take delegated responsibility for monitoring the Unit budget, preparing forecasts, income generation, consumables, and equipment expenditure.
Strategy, Policy and Service Development:
- Contribute to the development of the Unit's strategic policy and contribute to the departmental, SML and UKHSA national strategy.
Information Technology
- Ensure the IT systems are appropriately managed in support of the needs of the Unit including the application of computer software packages, databases, word processing, and other software packages to all relevant aspects of the work of the Unit.
Quality
- To ensure the Unit complies with and works within the relevant standards, governance and statutory requirements, including NICE accreditation standards and BS ISO 9001.
Health and Safety
In collaboration with the Unit Head and Department Safety Officer:
- Maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard for self and unit.
Research and Development
- Establish links and collaborations within and outside the UKHSA as necessary to benefit the work of the unit.
General Employment Responsibilities
- Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act in collaboration with the designated Laboratory Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security of Information Officer
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.
Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
- Post graduate qualification to PhD and/or post graduate qualification with significant experience microbiology or biomedical sciences
- Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master's level equivalent
- Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
- Member of relevant professional body
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups
- Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
Desirable
- Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
- Have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this engagement.
- Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care and commissioning organisations
- Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects
For more information and to apply for the role, please click on the APPLY NOW button!