Civil jobs in United States

Main area Healthcare Science Grade Civil Service: Grade 7 Contract 36 months (fixed term appointment until 31/12/2029) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 919-NP-62391351-EXT

Employer UK Health Security Agency Employer type Public (Non NHS) Site Scientific Campus Town Colindale Salary £60,494 - £70,566 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/03/2026 23:59

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

• Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
• Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
• Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
• Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
• Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

The Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAI) & Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a partnership between the UKHSA and the University of Oxford, that seeks to find ways to combat the major threats posed by HCAI and AMR. This is a mixed office/laboratory-based role, which sits within the AMR & HCAI Division of UKHSA whose mission is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and evidence-based interventions. The post holder will also be working within UKHSA’s Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit, which is the national reference laboratory for investigation of AMR in, and characterization of, healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens. We are seeking a talented and experienced microbiologist with expertise in both wet and dry lab aspects of the subject area who will deliver AMR- and genomic-related projects mainly within the "Mitigating Gram-negative infections" Research Theme of the HPRU. The successful candidate will work closely with the HPRU Leads in both UKHSA and Oxford University to ensure the objectives and milestones of the HPRU are met. They will also be required to work with other collaborators and stakeholders to develop other research projects

• Lead the management and development of relevant projects to ensure milestones and objectives are met
• Lead and develop capacity building collaborations to ensure project targets are met, working with the relevant HPRU Leads to maintain the engagement of stakeholders
• Lead on other externally funded projects as assigned, meeting targets in line with sponsor requirements, engaging with collaborators as required
• Identify, bid and lead on internal and external funding with an AMR or genomics focus, or other complementary group activities to maintain capability and develop the group in line with HPRU core objectives
• Provide reports and data as required by the HPRU Leads and NIHR, and external stakeholders
• To build external links with collaborators and similar groups to the benefit of the HPRU and UKHSA
• To give internal/external presentations, develop, draft and submit manuscripts on work for peer-reviewed publications
• Lead the project team/area to identify, evaluate and adapt new approaches where appropriate and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods
• Provide line and project management as required and indicated by UKHSA HPRU Leads
• To ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with applicable UKHSASafety and Quality systems
• To maintain health and safety competence
• To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

This list is not exhaustive.

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

• PhD or equivalent higher qualification and more than 3 years’ experience in an appropriate microbiology or molecular biology field
• Substantial working knowledge and experience in antimicrobial resistance and phenotypic and molecular diagnostic assays for detection of resistance
• Experience of external collaboration, with demonstrable expertise in scientific research with grant writing and publication record
• Experience of developing junior staff members, including line management experience
• Clear communicator with excellent writing skills, report writing, and presentation skills
• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project participation and management
• Conduct behaviours in a manner aligned to the Civil Service Code of Conduct
• Practical experience in whole genome sequencing on Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technology platforms; some understanding of bioinformatics processes including phylogenetic analyses
• Experience of making decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be anumber of courses of action

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ("Employer/ Activity history" section on the application) This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V – please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1500 words. We will not consider any words over 1500 words.

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• PhD or equivalent higher qualification and more than 3 years’ experience in an appropriate microbiology or molecular biology field
• Substantial working knowledge and experience in antimicrobial resistance and phenotypic and molecular diagnostic assays for detection of resistance

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

There will be a Presentation. Candidates will be asked to deliver a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation (title to be provided in interview invite)

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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 Counter-Terrorist Check. If based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Grade 7

• Application Form and Supporting Statement

• Questions on Knowledge, skill, experience & abilities.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules.To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

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.

The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

ForAfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.

For Temporary Appointments,if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.

Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.

Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.

Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.

If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

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 http://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

• Generous annual leave: 26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service; 28 days after 5 years; 32 days after 10 years; plus public holidays and one privileged day for the King’s birthday
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours); all employees have the right to apply for flexible working
• Generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package

Hybrid Working

UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides greater flexibility about how and where we work, with a minimum of 60% of contracted hours spent at one of UKHSA locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest from home.

Disability Confident Scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included, please tick the box on your application form.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to fair recruitment. We will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as part of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub. Anyone on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Security Vetting

Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels

This is included as a note about facilities timelines; no action required in the job description.

Name Nigel Poole

Job title Resourcing Support

Email address Nigel.Poole@ukhsa.gov.uk

Additional information

For further information relating to the role please contact:

Katie.Hopkins@ukhsa.gov.uk