Operational Lead ECACC

UKHSA’s Culture Collections is a Biological Resource Centre that provides a service maintaining and supplying strains of cultured cells and microorganisms for public health research. It is structured as a fully integrated service, underpinning science with significant scientific, manufacturing and business activities and operates from laboratories across UKHSA and from a specialist cryo-storage facility on the Porton site.

The European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC) and Human Genetic Services focuses on procuring new human and animal cell lines and includes the maintenance and supply of these for public health research and diagnostic testing.

The ECACC Operational Lead will oversee technical and laboratory operations for the manufacture, quality control, and maintenance of ECACC collection and associated services.

This role ensures service delivery meets agreed quality standards, is safe, effective, and economical. The post holder will manage staffing, training, and business operations within the laboratory, and provide professional leadership to operational staff.

Working for your organisation

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Reporting to the Head of Culture Collections, the Operational Lead will:

• Plan, organise, and supervise ECACC manufacturing and quality control processes and human genetic services
• Maintain compliance with UKHSA policies, regulatory standards, and quality systems
• Manage operational staff, training programmes, and performance reviews
• Contribute to service improvement, business planning, and income generation
• Act as Laboratory Safety Officer and ensure health and safety compliance
• Communicate technical cell culture matters internally and externally
• Deliver a service that meets the agreed quality standards so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical
• With Quality Assurance Manager, ensure compliance with QMS, regulatory requirements, ISO 9001/17025, audits, corrective actions, documentation and continual improvement.
• For ECACC purposes, deputise for the Quality Assurance Manager
• To provide professional leadership for members of staff for whom s/he is accountable, leading staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member

This role requires the ability to respond quickly to onsite emergencies across multiple labs across the Porton Down site, and perform related duties in a safe and effective manner.

The main duties will include:

Production / Quality Control

• Maintain separation between production and quality control functions.
• Manage manufacturing schedules, stock levels and banking operations in line with policies and cost-effective practices.
• Oversee batch records, evaluation of results and quality testing for internal and external parties.
• Implement production planning and banking strategies to maintain inventory continuity.
• Manage raw material stocks in line with throughput requirements.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders on technical aspects of cell culture.
• Direct staff on procedures and policies.

People Management and Training

• Manage, supervise and train ECACC operational staff, ensuring their safety and welfare.
• Develop and deliver training programmes, ensuring staff are competent to perform procedures.
• Conduct appraisals, performance reviews and personal development plans.
• Oversee staff deployment, supervision, availability and wellbeing.
• Contribute to recruitment, induction, development and HR processes.
• Maintain personal CPD and supervisory skills.

Health, Safety & Security

• Participate in safety rotas where required.
• Take responsibility for health, safety and welfare in line with UKHSA policies.
• Implement safe systems of work, conduct risk assessments and ensure COSHH compliance.
• Report and respond to incidents and ensure corrective actions are taken.
• Prioritise health and safety at all times and comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, the Human Tissue Act and associated procedures.
• Maintain manufacturing documentation systems.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and audits.
• Report adverse incidents appropriately.

Equality & Diversity

• Act in accordance with relevant legislation and promote inclusive behaviours.

Technical / Scientific Duties

• Manage preparation of cell cultures and apply expertise to quality control and stability testing.
• Support development of new cell cultures and testing methods.
• Prepare reports, maintain databases and review SOPs.
• Respond to customer queries with appropriate technical advice.

Information and Knowledge

• Ensure laboratory IT systems support operational needs.
• Contribute to development of IT systems and databases.

Learning & Development

• Support delivery of cell culture training courses.

Financial Management

• Order stock up to £10k and support budget management.
• Monitor expenditure and income and assist with cost calculations and pricing.
• Support business planning, marketing and income generation activities.

Services and Project Management

• Maintain up-to-date procedures and drive continuous improvement in quality and efficiency.
• Support R&D activities and introduction of new technologies.
• Ensure equipment and facilities are maintained, compliant and fit for purpose.
• Oversee laboratory maintenance, asset registers and continuity planning.

Professional Development

• Maintain CPD, attend conferences and complete mandatory training.

This is not an exhaustive list.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 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.

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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• BSc in biological sciences or equivalent level of experience of working in a human life sciences
• Evidence of several years’ experience of research and development using a range a range of cell culture types and techniques
• Evidence of supervisory and management experience

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in Porton Down. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, strengths, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview.

You will be required to prepare a 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The subject of this will be based on laboratory management and leadership.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communication and Influencing

Interview dates are 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.

Location

This role is lab based at our scientific campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

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

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

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 to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level 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.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.