At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead microbiology testing and advisory services for food, water, and environmental samples.
- Company: Join the UK Health Security Agency, a leader in public health protection.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public health by tackling contamination issues.
- Qualifications: Degree in microbiology or related field; experience in quality management systems.
The predicted salary is between 41983 - 48128 £ per year.
The Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services (FWEMS) Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment.
The Porton FWEMS Laboratory provides a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities, hospitals and commercial clients across the south and west of England. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and is recognised as an Official Laboratory for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide a technical service to local authorities (LAs) and commercial clients for the diagnostic testing of Food, Water and Environmental samples as an aid to the investigation of outbreaks, food poisoning and routine control. They will perform basic and more complex laboratory investigations and be required to supervise and manage staff in sections of the laboratory. The post holder will also approve test reports.
There will be an active involvement in the laboratory's Quality System, including leading and performing audits; and Health and Safety arrangements including working within Containment Level 3 facilities. An active involvement in the training of FW&E staff will also be expected.
The post holder will perform a range of advanced technical activities and provide highly specialist advice to other professionals and customers. They will supervise the FW&E Microbiology laboratory and deputise for the Unit Head and/or Laboratory Manager in their absence. The post holder will also be eligible to act as a Food Examiner.
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to UKHSA.
About us
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Details
- Date posted: 08 September 2026
- Salary: £41,983 to £48,128 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- Reference number: 919-JI-309468-EXT
- Job location: Scientific Campus, Porton, SP4 0JG, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
- Supervise the day to day working of the technical staff, ensuring that a high standard of work is maintained & that all staff adhere to written procedures.
- Participate in the provision of an analytical microbiology service for food, water & environmental samples.
- Deputise for the Unit Head and/or Laboratory Manager.
- Oversee all aspects of sample reception & complete pre-analysis processing samples received in the laboratory, ensuring samples are valid & tested appropriately.
- Use specialist FW&E microbiology skills to interpret results in line with appropriate guidelines.
- Be competent to work with samples that occasionally contain higher risk pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157, using appropriate containment conditions and protection systems.
- Ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff & to ensure that timely remedial action is performed because of complaints or anomalies.
- Act as Food Examiner in the laboratory.
- Assist in the management of outbreaks, ensuring adequate resources are available to carry out the necessary work.
- Liaise with medical, scientific and other staff of UKHSA /NHS laboratories in all matters of common interest.
- Represent the laboratory at meetings and on committees as appropriate.
Customer Relationships
- Respond to requests and communicate accurately, sensitive information and complex results to customers, including interpretation & reporting written and verbal results.
Quality Management Systems
- Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements.
- Support the laboratory's accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS.
- Assist the Quality Manager in ensuring good working practices and to maintain a high standard of work especially with respect to Internal Control and External Quality Assessment schemes.
- Assist & take a lead role, in regular audits of departmental procedures in support of the Quality Manager.
Asset Management
- Ensure efficient running & contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance.
- Be responsible for the maintenance of stocks of reagents and consumables, ensuring that they are received, stored, verified and used appropriately.
Management
- Participate in the education & training of other FW&E staff within the laboratory, to include performance reviews, Personal Development Plans and performance management and ensure the maintenance of training policies, procedures, and records.
Strategy, Policy and Service Development
- Assist the Unit Head & Laboratory Manager in determining the long-term development of FW&E services.
- Support the implementation of new methods & technologies into the laboratory, to maximise quality & efficiency of testing.
- Support & participate in FW&E surveys, trials and research work & projects in collaboration with other senior staff of the FWEMS network.
- Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives.
Security/Health and Safety
- To ensure confidentiality & conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems & Technology Security policy.
- To ensure that health and safety are afforded priority & to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors.
- To ensure attendance of self & managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.
- To agree to implement safety objectives.
- To ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented.
- To ensure that risk assessments are implemented & maintained.
- To report risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Manager.
- To notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations & shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
Other Duties
- Act as a member of the Management Team.
- Assist at other sites within the FW&E Network and at sites outside the laboratories including the provision of training, advice & sampling that require special skills and training.
- Perform other duties as directed by the Lead FW&E Scientist, Unit Head or Laboratory Manager, Food, Water & Environmental Microbiology Network within the framework of the job summary.
This list is not exhaustive.
Essential Criteria
- Higher Degree e.g., MSc or equivalent qualification appropriate to Food Examiner status.
- Significant post graduate experience.
- Educated to degree level in microbiology, food safety or public health or equivalent level qualification, or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
- Suitable qualification in microbiology, food safety or public health and experience to act as a Food Examiner, according to the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations.
- Significant knowledge & experience of quality management systems, especially in relation to UKAS Accreditation (ideally ISO 17025).
- Previous experience of supervising and/or training staff.
- Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures.
- Extensive working knowledge of laboratory areas, including both practical and theoretical knowledge of the various methods employed.
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the basic scientific principles relevant to microbiology.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
- Stage 1: Application & Sift
- Stage 2: Interview
Eligibility Criteria
External - Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is (CTC) Counter-Terrorist Check.
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary.
Senior Healthcare Scientist in Salisbury employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
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