Location
London Borough of Barnet, scientific campus in Colindale. This is a lab-based role with no hybrid working available.

Hours
Full time, standard working hours with flexibility as required to meet business needs.

Salary
£52,113 per annum plus Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme with employer contribution of 28.97% (£13,416).

About the Role
UK NEQAS for Microbiology provides international clinical External Quality Assessment (EQA) services covering mycology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology and a variety of technologies including molecular detection methods. With over 3000 participants in more than 80 countries, the schemes set an international benchmark for quality.

The Healthcare Scientist Team Manager for Virology and Molecular will lead the Virology and Molecular laboratory team, collaborating with senior staff to deliver high-quality Virology and Molecular EQA schemes. Responsibilities include overseeing specimen preparation and quality control, maintaining UKAS accreditation standards, data analysis, report preparation, and developing new specimen types.

The role involves leadership duties shared with other Team Managers, ensuring effective resource management, staff development, and maintaining compliance with health, safety, and quality standards. You will also support service improvement, procurement, project management, and contribute scientific expertise to quality assurance activities.

This position requires Counter Terrorism Check security vetting and involves occasional support for UKHSA’s incident response activities, prioritizing these as necessary.

UKHSA is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an inclusive culture where differences drive innovative solutions to meet workforce and community needs.

Experience
- MSc or equivalent/higher qualification in Medical Microbiology or Virology
- Significant experience in virology and serology within clinical, diagnostic, or research laboratories
- Substantial knowledge and experience of molecular techniques
- Experience in data analysis and proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software
- Experience with Quality Management Systems and laboratory safety procedures
- Ability to analyse, interpret, and evaluate complex information for problem solving and decision making
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with strong attention to detail
- Proven people management skills including training, development, planning, delegation, recruitment, and performance review
- Commitment to equality of opportunity and fostering good working relationships
- Ability to keep up to date with developments in virology and microbiology and work collaboratively across organisational boundaries

About You
- Motivated and committed to professional development
- Flexible and adaptable to changing business needs
- Strong leadership qualities with a collaborative approach to team working
- Dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality and safety in the laboratory environment

Qualifications
- MSc or higher qualification in Medical Microbiology/Virology is essential
- Relevant professional registrations or certifications as applicable
- Security clearance: ability to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance is mandatory