Job Description

The UKHSA Toxicology Department\'s Experimental Toxicology programme conducts leading experimental research on the effects of chemicals and other environmental pollutants (such as air pollutants, bioaerosols, microplastics) on human health, especially for people with pre-existing conditions. The programme also develops and validates new methods for testing and assessing the hazards and risks of chemicals to meet regulatory goals, using new approach methodologies.

These new roles will involve projects, such as: Sequencing technology, in vivo toxicity studies, respiratory and immunological models, reproductive and developmental toxicology and regulatory test development. This is a great opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art laboratory and contribute to public health.

Chilton, Oxfordshire - 5 days a week, On-site

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern - Full Time, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Design, execute and undertake experimental studies(in vivo/ in vitro) to investigate the biological/toxicological effects of exposure to chemicals and other environmental pollutants.
• Support the development and validation of appropriate methods for chemical testing to support regulatory objectives for chemicals.
• Contribute to the management of research projects/programmes including: planning, experimental design, procedures and data analysis.
• Produce sound scientific papers for external peer reviewed publication and give presentations at levels including international conferences.
• Assist in the supervision of junior staff, internal and students

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see job description for full duties and responsibilities

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Bachelor\'s Degree in a relevant biological science (Toxicology, Molecular biology, Immunology)
• MSc degree in biological/Toxicology
• Practical experience of in vitro and/or in vivo studies of biological/toxicological effects of contaminants, including relevant models (e.g. respiratory, GI tract)
• Experience of complex laboratory work in a research facility/environment
• Understanding of the 3Rs principles for humane animal experimentation and their application

Desirable

• Experience of writing scientific papers for peer reviewed journals
• Experience of presenting research findings at national/international conferences
• Experience of molecular analysis techniques such as real-time PCR, ELISAs and/or high content imaging systems
• Experience of RNA sequencing and associated bioinformatic analysis

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit:

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

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

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria - please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

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

STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW

This competition will involve a face to face interview.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate\'s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

The Competency framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview.

• Technical Skills
• Knowledge
• Experience

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 6th October 2023 - unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: 13th October2023

Interviews: w/c 23rd October 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\'s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. .

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

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.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C\'s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post?

Complaint process:

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: . 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.

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