Senior Project Team Leader – Diagnostics at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

The successful candidate will work as a Senior Project Team Leader in the Diagnostics, Evaluation and Innovation Team providing scientific oversight, leadership, and project management to deliver scientific projects. This will include spearheading the development and delivery of projects with commercial partners to ensure delivery of new/improved/refined diagnostic assays for use in UKHSA or NHS diagnostic labs as well as training and surge capacity in the event of an outbreak. The post holder will work closely with other managers to line manage a team of scientists and take an active role ensuring work is performed to specific quality standards (e.g., ISO15189:2022), arranging tenders and contracts with commercial companies and providing scientific expertise. 

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• To manage projects developing, evaluating, and implementing a range of molecular, serological and antigenic methods in support of diagnostic evaluation activities for ACDP HG 2/3/4 pathogens with commercial partners, ensuring targets are met.
• To act as principal investigator of the project team taking lead responsibility to identify, evaluate and adapt new technologies where appropriate in consultation with the scientific lead and to ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard using current methods.
• Establish links within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the project and/or department including submission of proposals, and the management and delivery of commercial contracts maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist senior colleagues, leading in developing scientific and technical strategy of the project or derived projects, identifying new opportunities as they arise and responding to funding calls or customer enquiries.
• Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the project.
• Provide reports as required and lead on preparation of presentations, publications, and liaison via teleconferences with the customer as well as dealing with enquiries as necessary.
• To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade. 

Essential

• PhD in appropriate discipline with considerable post-doctoral level experience (or other degree e.g., MSc with significant experience in the field) in an appropriate scientific discipline
• Significant specialist training/experience in diagnostic assay development, evaluation, and validation for the clinical diagnosis of bacteria and viruses
• Experience in leading delivery of fast paced scientific projects for third parties and working in collaboration with or for industry.
• Significant experience in commercial liaison, including maintaining confidentiality, procurement, and business development.
• Experience of having worked in a regulated environment 

Desirable

• Relevant HCPC Registration e.g., Clinical Scientist/Biomedical Scientist
• Experience in liaising with commercial stakeholders to deliver project milestones to agreed timelines in budget