Location
London, lab based at UK Health Security Agency site in Colindale

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
Civil Service SEO (Inner): £46,310 - £52,113 per annum, pro rata
AfC Band 7: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum, pro rata
For those appointed on AfC Terms & Conditions, an additional 15% of basic salary is payable, subject to minimum and maximum payments.

About the Role
We are seeking a HCPC registered Clinical/Biomedical Scientist (AfC Band 7) or a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner (SEO) to join the Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU), a National Reference Laboratory providing specialist services for hazard group 2 and 3 gastrointestinal and foodborne bacterial pathogens. GBRU operates at local, regional, national, and international levels to reduce the impact of food, water, and environmentally borne illnesses on public health.

The role involves undertaking molecular and conventional microbiological analysis on gastrointestinal bacterial isolates and clinical specimens, supporting senior staff to maintain excellent Safety and Quality Management Systems, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards. You will contribute to public health responses including outbreak investigations, validate clinical results, analyse genotypic data, maintain subtyping databases, and support research and development activities.

Additional responsibilities include supporting implementation of new methods, maintaining SOPs and risk assessments, providing clinical microbiological advice, participating in audits and incident reporting, supporting staff training and competency assessments, overseeing equipment maintenance, and contributing to strategy and service development.

This role requires working within a quality system to deliver safe, effective, and timely reference services, supporting national and international microbiology work, and contributing to publications and presentations.

Experience
- HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist or Biomedical Scientist (with equivalent clinical scientist work experience) for AfC Terms & Conditions appointments
- Degree in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent qualification and experience
- MSc or equivalent higher degree in Microbiology or relevant science subject
- Demonstrable practical research experience evidenced by involvement in research projects, publications, or equivalent (e.g. PhD-level work)
- Significant experience delivering reference and diagnostic microbiology
- Experience working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2
- Knowledge and practice of laboratory safety requirements and procedures
- Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
- Strong communication skills including report writing, publications, and presentations
- Problem-solving skills and ability to respond to unexpected demands
- Attention to detail and ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
- Independent thinker with good judgement and analytical skills
- Commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
- Ability to innovate and improve laboratory practice
- Ability to interpret diagnostic laboratory results
- IT skills including Microsoft Word and Excel
- Ability to manage own workload and make informed decisions under pressure

About you
- Clear communicator capable of delivering ideas concisely to diverse audiences
- Demonstrates good judgement and problem-solving skills
- Committed to continuous improvement and innovation
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Demonstrates professionalism and adherence to safety and quality standards

Qualifications
- HCPC registration required for AfC appointments
- Degree and MSc (or equivalent) in Microbiology or relevant biological science
- Evidence of research experience and publications
- Desirable: managerial training or advanced technical expertise
- Desirable: experience working in containment level 3 microbiology laboratories
- Desirable: knowledge of Gram negative and positive foodborne bacteria and virulence factors
- Desirable: team leadership or management experience
- Desirable: experience preparing SOPs and delivering presentations to varied stakeholders