Clinical Scientist

London, London (region), NW9 5EQ

Job Summary We are seeking a HCPC registered Clinical/Biomedical Scientist (AfC Band 7) or a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (SEO).

Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms &​ Conditions at NHS AfC Band 7. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at SEO grade.

GBRU (Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit) is a National Reference Laboratory and provides specialist and reference services for a specific range of hazard group 2 and 3 gastrointestinal and foodborne bacterial pathogens. GBRU works at local, regional, national and international levels to reduce the impact of food, water and environmentally borne illnesses on people’s health. Activities include provision of bacterial typing services to assist national surveillance, the detection and investigation of outbreaks and specialist microbiological services for the examination of clinical, food, water and environmental samples. Undertake laboratory procedures and assist senior staff members to maintain an excellent Safety and Quality Management Systems to ensure compliance with accreditation standards. To assist the Section Heads in ensuring that GBRU provides a robust service in all aspects of the work of the Sections. Work of microbiology reference units includes clinical microbiological advice and diagnosis, complex reference microbiology, methodology development, investigation of national outbreaks, and advice on the risks posed by various infections.

Working for your organisation 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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job Description 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

Main Duties

• To assist the Head of Service and other Senior Staff in ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the unit. They will work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimen
• To work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimens
• To participate in research and development activities within GBRU, analyses data and publish research

Please note this list is not exhaustive

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

Main Duties

• To assist the Head of Service and other Senior Staff in ensuring that GBRU provides a national and international service in all aspects of the work of the unit. They will work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimen
• To work with senior staff to ensure that both the service and non-service work of the unit is carried out in a safe, effective, timely manner and operates to a quality system: this includes molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on a range of gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimens
• To participate in research and development activities within GBRU, analyses data and publish research

Please note this list is not exhaustive

Person specification

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 br