Location
Colindale, Edgware, London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£56,515 per annum

About the Role
At UKHSA Colindale, laboratory teams deliver highly specialised services using complex techniques and nationally or internationally unique capabilities. Reference laboratories provide authoritative and validated analysis for complex clinical and virological problems, while leading innovation in microbiological and virological methods, standards, surveillance programmes, outbreak detection, and infection control strategies.

Microbiology reference units support clinical diagnosis, specialist reference testing, methodology development, microbial epidemiology, outbreak investigations, and responses to international health alerts. They also provide expert advice on infection risks. Clinical samples and isolates are received from public health departments, NHS organisations, and commercial laboratories across the UK and internationally for specialist testing, characterisation, and susceptibility analysis.

This post is based within the Clinical Services Unit (CSU) of PHMRM. As an HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist, the post holder will support the Unit Head and Lead Scientists in delivering a high-quality national reference service for Hepatitis, HIV, and HTLV. The role includes providing scientific and technical leadership within the specialist pathogen area and contributing to the development, validation, and implementation of novel technologies within reference services.

Key responsibilities include taking delegated responsibility from senior staff to contribute to day-to-day reference and surveillance activities, assisting in management and implementation of CSU reference laboratory work, scientific development, and specialist service activities. The post holder will collaborate with internal, external, and international scientists on projects and ensure compliance with UKHSA and CSU safety regulations, guidelines, and quality standards.

Technical duties involve providing professional leadership as technical charge for a CSU team, contributing to strategy and policy development, delivering safe and high-quality laboratory services, supporting service development and sustainability, providing specialist advice, and maintaining controlled documents.

People management responsibilities include setting work programmes, supervising laboratory activity and staffing, acting as Laboratory Training Officer, supporting recruitment and induction, conducting appraisals, and managing performance.

Additional duties include shared responsibility for stock and consumables, supporting equipment purchasing and maintenance, contributing to LIMS development, maintaining quality and governance standards including ISO 15189 compliance, supporting EQA processing, managing audits and complaints, and driving continuous quality improvement.

Professional development is supported through maintaining CPD, registration requirements, and mandatory training.

The role requires building effective working relationships across UKHSA and with external partners including NHS, reference labs, government agencies, and professional bodies.

UKHSA is committed to being an inclusive employer, promoting equality of opportunity and diversity, and supporting flexible working options where possible. This role is lab based at Colindale and hybrid working is not available.

Experience
- HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
- Experience working within microbiology or virology laboratories including molecular and serological assay development, validation, and service delivery
- Good in-depth knowledge of quality assurance and laboratory safety requirements and procedures
- Experience managing surveillance and/or research-based activities and projects
- Proven ability to communicate and collaborate at national and international levels with a track record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations
- Experience in training others
- Skills in managing people, assessing performance, and handling difficult situations in staff and customer service delivery
- Ability to analyse data and present it meaningfully
- Ability to deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines

About you
- Organised, flexible, innovative, and self-motivated
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance
- Commitment to equality of opportunity and fostering good working relationships
- High level of motivation and commitment to high standards
- Articulate and clear thinking

Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science or related subject (molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology)
- Maintains professional competence through CPD, lectures, and seminars
- CPD registration and certification