The Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCCE) at the UK Health Security Agency provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. The Toxicology Department provides Public Health advice to other parts of RCCE, the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments and agencies, Local Authorities and other stakeholders including members of the public on the risks to health from environmental hazards (chemicals, particles and bioaerosols). The Toxicology Department undertakes research that underpins chemical regulation and policy development. All of the research underpins the UKHSA role in public health protection from environmental hazards.
The International Regulation Group within the Toxicology Department undertakes translational research activities using in silico, in vitro and in vivo models for chemical hazard assessment, and works to harmonise these tools in collaboration with international partners, particularly the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Test Guideline Programme and related bodies. The OECD Environment Health and Safety programme covers the safe use of chemicals, nanomaterials, pesticides, biocides, and products of modern biotechnology. It aims to protect health and the environment, while avoiding duplication of effort, ensuring that efficiencies are made and barriers to trade avoided.
The post is a predominantly desk based scientific research role. You may manage junior toxicologists.
The post holder will provide and contribute to the toxicology and public health input to international chemical regulation programmes specifically, but not exclusively the OECD Test Guidelines programme and related OECD work.
This will involve collaborating and coordinating with leading senior scientists in UKHSA and across UK government and associated agencies and to ensure the standard of oversight and UK contributions to the Test Guideline and other regulatory programmes is maintained and developed. This will require the ability critically review complex data sets and carry out critical reviews of evidence. Experience in computational tool development and modelling of data, or laboratory skills, is highly desirable. The post holder will support the UK Human Health National Coordinator for the OECD Test Guideline programme, and the Working Party on Hazard Assessment as required and will publish research findings in leading journals in both a lead and senior author capacity and make presentations at learned societies and the OECD. They will be expected to apply for external funding to support translational research activities.
The postholder will also be expected to input into a programme of laboratory development and validation of New Approach Methodologies, including in silico tools, in the chemicals regulatory space addressing Refinement and Replacement.
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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.
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- Contribute to and take responsibility for specific aspects of the design, development and completion of in vivo and in vitro data analysis tasks.
- Develop expert scientific and regulatory relevant advice on the hazard assessment of chemicals.
- Design, execute and undertake studies to support the development and validation of appropriate methods for chemical testing to support regulatory objectives for chemical safety.
- Contribute to the management of regulatory /translational research projects including: planning, experimental design, procedures and data analysis.
- Be the support lead for UKHSA, collaborating with senior government officials and officials in national and international bodies in particular the OECD, in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area and in the provision of advice.
- Collaborate with internal and external scientists in the development of proposals for funding and the development of programmes for experimental work.
- 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 from collaborating organisations (eg MSc, PhD students).
- Undertake specific development tasks for the Group Leader (eg Health and Safety responsibilities).
This list is not exhaustive
Essential criteria
PhD qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or experience of working at a similar level in a relevant area of regulatory toxicology
Experience of assessing health risks from chemicals
Awareness of broad public health and environmental issues
Ability to critically assess relevant data and information to assess the toxicity of chemicals journals
Experience in vitro cell culture and /or in silico tool development
Good scientific writing skills
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to meet deadlines, and plan work over short-, medium- and long-term timeframes
An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable criteria:
Inclusion in UK Register of Toxicologists
Experience in test method (pre)validation
Experience in public health
Regulatory experience
Experience in industry
Experience of teaching or training
Selection Process Details (Competency based)
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency Based
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
1500 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500.
Longlisting :
In the event of a large number of applications, we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
PhD qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or experience of working at a similar level in a relevant area of regulatory toxicology
Experience in vitro cell culture and /or in silico tool development
Good scientific writing skills
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Competency Based
You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our Scientific Campus in Chilton
When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview in the form of questions.
There will be a Presentation.
The subject of this will be - How your work experience can contribute to the needs of the role. This should last no longer than 10 minutes, with 5 minutes of questions afterwards.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil
Service (including internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our campus.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check
When based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
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. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.
