Head of Pre-Clinical

Posting date:	02 October 2025
Salary:	£70,797.00 to £81,450.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£70797.00 - £81450.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	16 October 2025
Location:	Porton Down, SP4 0JG
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	K9919-25-0371

Summary

To provide scientific direction to CDEP on development and implementation of pre-clinical, infectious disease models to meet VDEC, Science group and UKHSA strategic goals. To take the lead in maintaining and enhancing a research capability for pre-clinical infectious diseases modelling and countermeasure evaluation, including those requiring enhanced QMS, and to ensure projects can be resourced and accommodated properly. To drive innovation and foster collaborations within and outside of UKHSA leading to grant applications and/ or new business proposals in order to establish an annual income and expenditure budget. To co-ordinate commercial negotiations with customers in order to achieve project aims ensuring appropriate protection of IPR where necessary and to act as a key point of contact with customers to ensure establishment, operation and completion of projects to customers satisfaction. To develop and maintain a strong national and international profile and networks through presentations, high impact publications, membership of committees and boards. To contribute to the quality of science and scientific strategy at UKHSA by promoting and enabling collaboration within CDEP/Science Group and across UKHSA to enhance the science base and capability development. To take responsibility for all people management issues, including to lead, train, mentor and support the development of scientists within CDEP. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade. To interact appropriately with regulatory authorities (e.g. HSE, HO, MHRA) and to ensure that the project team undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and any applicable Quality Systems. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures Essential Criteria Degree qualification and/or on the job experience in relevant field (e.g. Biology/Microbiology) PhD in appropriate discipline (e.g. Biology/Microbiology) and extensive experience in a research environment Internationally recognised expert with publication record in high impact journals, membership of expert panels and strong national and international collaborations and networks Experience of working with in vivo models for infectious disease agents and the use of different analysis methods including molecular biology, immunology and transcriptomics to characterise them In-depth knowledge and experience of operational management within a multi-disciplinary organisation working on vaccine development and licensure from within HMG, Industry, academia and other organisations including CEPI. In-depth knowledge and wide, recent experience of pre-clinical testing for the research & development, characterisation and deployment of vaccines Extensive experience of research with models for ACDP HG3/HG4 pathogens Experience with ISO 9001 and GMP/GLP compliance. Able to present information at internal/external meetings Ability to recognise and materialise scientific innovations into new business, experience with staff and budget management Experience of dealing with external and internal customers, negotiating and agreeing work programmes, reporting progress, dealing with any issues to ensure delivery and customer Strong leadership skills, extensive experience of project management and leading teams Able to exercise sound judgement and clear about priorities Experience in a wide range of techniques within laboratory-based biological research Experience of working practices within high containment environments Experience of networking internally and externally to gain information, contacts, commitment, expertise to better ensure project outcomes. Experience of generation of innovative/creative solutions to scientific and experimental problems/etc Selection Process This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 17 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of: an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a 1000 word supporting statement This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. 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. The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together. 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: Experience of working with in vivo models for infectious disease agents and the use of different analysis methods including molecular biology, immunology and transcriptomics to characterise them Extensive experience of research with models for ACDP HG3/HG4 pathogen If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (success profiles) You will be invited to a face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours and strengths will be tested at interview. You will be required to prepare a 5-10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The details of this will be sent to you prior to the interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Seeing the bigger picture Making Effective Decisions Leadership Communicating and Influencing Interview are planned for the week commencing 10th November. Please note these dates may be subject to change. 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 office/lab based at our Porton Down facilities. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role. Selection Process 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. 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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. Successful candidates will require Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) and 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) 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.