Higher Toxicologist

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in the Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards (RCE) Chilton site, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

• Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available., The job entails working within the General Toxicology and Biomonitoring programme to provide advice on the health effects of chemicals in drinking water, contaminated land and from waste processes. The team works closely with the regional RCE chemicals teams in England and Wales, providing advice and support during contamination incidents involving chemicals. The postholder will support various areas of the work of the programme and be required to specialise in a designated area after a period of development in post. They may also be required to provide toxicological advice in other areas as necessary to support the work of UKHSA., Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE) provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards. To support evidence-anchored advice for Health Security, RCE undertakes research work with various university partners and other organisations including within Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) supported by the National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR).


The Toxicology Department provides public health advice to other parts of RCE, 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.

General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programme

The General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programme is within the Toxicology Department. It consists of toxicologists, who provide public health advice on a variety of different chemicals to colleagues within UKHSA, Government agencies and departments, and to the public. This advice focuses on the health effects of chemicals in water, soil and waste processes. We also advise on the public health aspects of the approval and use of pesticides, veterinary medicines, cosmetics and consumer products. The Group provides the Secretariat, jointly with the Food Standards Agency, for three important Government expert advisory committees: the Committees on the Toxicity, Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT, COC and COM). The Group has an active biomonitoring research programme., Emphasis is on expert scientific/ technical contribution to advice and work both inside and outside UKHSA. This contribution involves evaluating complex information from a number of sources including professionals and scientists both inside UKHSA and in outside organisations, possibly in other countries.

• To critically assess with support toxicity data on chemicals


• To develop advice on the health effects and risk assessments of chemicals in drinking water, land and waste processes


• To support communication of this highly specialised advice to a range of recipients, e.g. colleagues in UKHSA


• To ensure that such advice is documented and recorded in readily retrievable form


• To contribute to the development of the scientific content of the UKHSA Compendium of Chemical Hazards (an online data resource for UKHSA and the public) and a new public-facing website to provide information on the potential health risks from chemicals.


Other The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation., As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 10min presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate's experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.,
• 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
  
  Relevant Bachelors or Masters qualification in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area


• Awareness of broad public health and environmental issues


• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.


• Ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals.


• Ability to establish good working relationships.


• 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 relati


Desirable

• Experience of working in toxicology, or other relevant area


• Experience in Industry or public health


• Awareness of the application of computational models to biomedical sciences e.g., QSAR


• Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations.


• Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks., Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed., Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences, and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

UKHSA is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases and other health threats. We provide intellectual, scientific, and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure., This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C's are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.


• Learning and development tailored to your role


• An environment with flexible working options


• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity


• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%


• Range of health and wellbeing support


Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

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