Scientist Full Time

Public Health England (PHE) is an executive agency of the Department of Health providing; strategic leadership, research, advice and support for Government, local authorities and the NHS in protecting and improving the nation’s health.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview. If you have not been contacted within 4-6 weeks of the closing date please assume you have not been shortlisted for the next stage.

As an applicant for this role, you are urged to demonstrate within your supporting statement a combination of evidence that reflects your competence to meet the job specification and provide examples of how the PHE Charter is an integral part of the way you have and will continue to deliver service.

Please note that if the pay scheme is listed as ‘Other’, the post advertised will be subject to Public Health England Civil Service Terms and Conditions of employment unless otherwise stated.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

This is a Non Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules and is therefore open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals and certain non EEA members. For more information please refer to the supporting documents detailing the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

For posts on Public Health England Civil Service terms and conditions, on appointment the starting salary is normally the minimum point (see salary range above). This will be dependent on the successful candidate’s current salary and terms and/or equivalent experience. The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change, most local authority pay grades and other systems which have annual pay increments. Salary increases are awarded based on performance assessed through the annual appraisal cycle.

PHE is bringing together its national scientific laboratories and headquarters to create one of the world’s leading centres for public health science in Harlow, Essex, in the heart of the London and Cambridge life sciences corridor. This post will move to PHE Harlow between 2021 and 2024 as part of this major development. For more information please search ‘PHE Harlow collection’.

Job Purpose

The Pathogen Immunology Programme at Porton Down is involved in a range of research projects to understand and assess the immune responses to a number of important pathogens, including Bordetella pertussis, Neisseria meningitidis and Group B Streptococcus. Many of the immunological assays use state-of-the-art flow cytometry facilities and are designed to inform on the potential protection provided by new vaccines, and to further the understanding of strain evolution and adaptation. There is a strong focus on humoral immunity and the interaction of pathogens with the human Complement system. We are also currently involved in the assessment of a number of international carriage studies. The group collaborates widely with UK and international researchers in this field.

The role of this post will involve further development of opsonophagcytosis, serum bactericidal and complement deposition assays and to use these assays as part of human clinical trial and carriage studies. Additionally there will be a focus on the further development of an IgG-depleted human complement source, developed at PHE Porton, to remove key Complement factors to enable a more specific understanding of how pathogenic bacteria interact with the human Complement system. There will also be a strong molecular microbiology aspect to the posts, using a number of sequencing techniques and the development of knock-out mutants, to enable a deeper understanding of strain variation/adaptation to the host immune system

We are looking for an experienced researcher with a good understanding of immunology and molecular microbiology, backed by relevant laboratory experience. Experience of flow cytometry is required. These are laboratory based posts, and strong team working and interpersonal skills are required.

For further details please contact Dr. Stephen Taylor at Stephen.Taylor@phe.gov.uk or on 01980 619963 to discuss these positions further.

Option 3 – External

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

Appointment to this post is on PHE terms and conditions of service. Only previous continuous service in the Civil Service is recognised for contractual purposes.

Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the person specification (available online) as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria. Please also see job description for competencies

Public Health England promotes diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunities employer

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (attached as a supporting document).

Employees who feel they have been unfairly treated during a recruitment process can use the civil service commission’s grievance procedure. External candidates should complain to the hiring manager handling their campaign. In addition both internal and external candidates have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners.

Interview expenses will not normally be paid but will be paid in exceptional circumstances in agreement with the Deputy Director of HR.

PHE is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please therefore supply referees (with email addresses) to cover this period. Additional documentation such as P60s may be required as evidence. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more

For more information please go to the PHE website.

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