Central Unit for Sequencing and PCR (CUSP) Laboratory Manager(ID2596)
| Posting date: | 14 August 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,857 per year |
| Additional salary information: | London rate: £35,857 -£ 38,551 Pro rata for job share and part time |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 September 2024 |
| Location: | Weybridge |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 365502/1 |
Summary
This role is to provide management for the Central Unit for Sequencing and PCR (CUSP) team based within the Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department (S&LSD) at Weybridge. The laboratory provides PCR testing and DNA sequencing as part of APHA’s disease surveillance, outbreak response, and international trade requirements.
This role within CUSP requires an end-to-end understanding of laboratory processes from across the team, with the ability to troubleshoot and advise as required. You will be managing a team of technical staff who are required to deliver testing to exacting quality standards in a safe and timely manner. The laboratory team undertake numerous tasks so you will need to prioritise the work to ensure that the outcomes are delivered as efficiently as possible, being mindful of reagent costs, and quality and safety requirements. At times you will be required to undertake the testing yourself and to provide training to staff at all levels.
Your key interactions will be with your team members, your management chain within the department (keeping them fully informed of any issues in a timely manner), and internal and external customers of the testing service delivered.
New tests may emerge that need to be adopted by the team, so you will need to coordinate test transfer, validation and accreditation of these, including ensuring timely completion of documentation.
In response to disease outbreaks, you may be required to work in a high-containment laboratory, performing testing within a short-time frame to assist with the Agency’s drive to contain the outbreak as much as possible.
Responsibilities
- Manage a team responsible for nucleotide sequencing and PCR, including direct line management of staff.
- Provide oversight on testing including interactions with project managers, veterinary professionals, and Defra.
- Ensure team management and work performed meets health and safety and wellbeing requirements, including in containment laboratory facilities, working with departmental safety officers and Building Officers, Facilities Management and APHA SHaW team.
- Review and update scientific and administrative procedural documentation. Follow Agency Procedures & Guidance.
- Ensure work is performed to the ISO17025 standard. Take responsibility for arising actions and test assurance. Meet Group quality requirements.
- Communicating essential information to your teams for discussion and feedback.
- Tests (New and current) will potentially need test transfer, validation, and accreditation, including ensuring timely completion of documentation and LIMS integration.
- Support the Laboratory Managers with the personnel duties for SLSD staff including recruitment interviews, staff meetings, deployment, and correspondence. Liaison with HR business partner, staff utilisation reports, management reports, and team briefings.
- Managing staff performance reviews, absence, occupational health referrals, poor performance management and disciplinary actions.
- Coordinate with internal/external customers, build working relationships and grow their network.
- Participate in scientific discussion and training, with regards to new technologies and research applications of these technologies.
- Communicate with internal/external staff with regards to system changes, queries, or issues.
- Provide cover in other areas of SLSD activities as required.