The UKHSA’s Science Group are looking to appoint its Deputy Director, High Containment and Biological Services.

The Deputy Director’s job is to provide the scientific leadership and direction for the containment level 4 facilities and the animal facilities in the UKHSA. The work of High Containment and Biological Services is to support UKHSA’s commitment to diagnosing imported threats to the UK, aid surveillance programmes, to aid detection of infectious diseases, to characterise microbial pathogens efficiently and effectively, develop animal models and provide evidence to support effective treatments and interventions, all within the wider UKHSA objective, to significantly reduce their overall public health burden.

High Containment and Biological Services operate within and support the wider UKHSA structure and provide safe, effective, efficient and innovative services. It is a critical role which supports the delivery of the primary UKHSA function to protect the public health.

The post-holder must ensure that UKHSA High Containment and Biological Services are at the forefront of scientific innovation, and that the evidence base for intervention in, and prevention of, outbreaks, and surveillance of infectious disease covered by their service is global facing and leading, has strategies in place to respond to surge demand in case of heightened response to threats and is at forefront of assay development. The quality and regulatory standards must be of the highest order and will be regularly monitored by the HSE, Security Services, MHRA and Home Office due to the inherent risks and categorisation of the work of the High Containment Microbiology and Biological Services. Engagement in the global health security arena will be paramount for this role.

Success will be dependent on two key activities: firstly, the effective and efficient delivery of High Containment Microbiology and Biological Services to the highest scientific and regulatory standards, and, secondly, robust career development of the scientific and technical staff. The first of these requires close working with other laboratory functions, and with other UKHSA leaders.

The post holder will require capability to work in three settings, namely: Clinical diagnostics, development of suited systems and animal model development for pathogen research and use in translational activities, for example, product licensure, testing.

Closing date: 26 March 2023.

We expect to hold interviews week beginning 17 April 2023. Please note, this may be subject to change.