Deputy Lead, Antimicrobial Resistance & Mechanisms Service (ARMS)
| Posting date: | 16 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £55,690.00 to £62,682.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £55690.00 - £62682.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 June 2025 |
| Location: | London, NW9 5EQ |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | K9919-25-0235 |
Summary
Your key responsibilities will include: General To support the Lead Clinical Scientist, ARMS to: Ensure effective and timely delivery and advice on reference and specialist activities within ARMS remit. Provide effective scientific leadership with respect to provision of reference services for determination of antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of public health importance in healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens. Plan, develop, implement and direct long-term strategy of specialist areas. Adopt new technology and quality innovations to enhance the effectiveness of ARMS, the AMRHAI Reference Unit and the AMR & HCAI Division. Technical Services To validate results on the Laboratory Information Management System and contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required, including appropriate databases. To work with relevant consultant medical microbiologists in the Public Health Microbiology Reference Services Division and AMR & HCAI Division to provide input into clinical interpretation and ensure prompt and accurate delivery of ARMS reference services. To use software packages as appropriate for word processing, presentations, data analysis, as well as specialist bioinformatics packages as required. To oversee evaluations of novel technologies for rapid detection of antimicrobial resistance, leading in the analysis of data generated, preparing reports for customers and papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting findings at national and international meetings Management of Staff To promote the personal and professional development of line managed staff through creation of personal development plans, regular performance review, and identification and meeting of training needs. To ensure junior staff and assigned visitors or trainees are competent to carry out the tasks given to them, ensuring that levels of supervision are sufficient. To develop and supervise postgraduate research projects and support the organisation of, and participating in, training programmes for staff and visitors. Financial management To support ARMS and the AMRHAI Unit Head in the management of the Unit budget. To manage the finances of relevant research projects and short-term contracts. Quality / Governance In collaboration with the Quality Team, to: Maintain a high standard of work and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective and economical and follow best practice. Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system. Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes. Ensure compliance with accreditation and certification standards. Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions. To agree safety objectives with managed staff and to review performance at appraisal and support Senior Management Team in carrying out duties with respect to: Ensure health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors. Ensure relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented. Ensure implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits. Research and Development To offer leadership in all aspects of service development relating to the reference activities of the Section and in research and surveillance activities relevant to the pathogens within AMRHAIs and the AMR & HCAI Divisions remit. UKHSA Committees and Working Parties To represent the AMRHAI Reference Unit on local or national committees as required. The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Selection process details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 15 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1500-word Statement of Suitability 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. The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essentialcriteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria Piles Meets all essentialcriteria and Meets some essential criteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Registration with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Clinical Scientist or Biomedical Scientist specialising in microbiology and evidence of continuing professional development. Relevant higher degree (MSc/PhD) in Medical Microbiology/Molecular microbiology or a related discipline. Substantive postgraduate experience in the field of antimicrobial resistance with excellent working knowledge of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms in bacteria. Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (competency based) You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. There will be a 10-minute presentation at interview, full details will be provided at the shortlisting stage. 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 being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have 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. Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.