Principal Clinical Scientist

The Principal Clinical Scientist will provide leadership and expertise in developing and implementing clinical and reference service delivery, surveillance, and a programme of research for antiviral resistances to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and other viruses causing chronic infections where antivirals may be used for clinical management.

The role involves providing scientific expertise and project management support to the Unit Head, Antiviral Unit (AVU), and ensuring effective and timely delivery and advice on clinical, reference, specialist, and research activities within remit.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing effective scientific leadership to implementation and provision of end-to-end services for antiviral resistance within AVU
• Maximising efficient and flexible use of resources for LEAN service delivery
• Planning, developing, implementing, and directing a long-term strategy and programme of research for the specialist area
• Adopting new technologies and quality innovations to maximise the effectiveness of AVU clinical and reference services
• Participating in Virus Reference Department (VRD) Senior Management Team meetings and in higher-level meetings
• Developing professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training
• Supporting career and professional development of staff within the team
• Managing staff, conducting staff appraisals of direct reports, and managing performance issues
• Ensuring provision of a safe working environment for all staff and visitors
• Contributing to maintaining a high profile for specialisms amongst key stakeholders in the UK and abroad
• Helping to maintain lab accreditation
• Acting as an advisor and a source of expert and specialist information for the Unit and UKHSA

The role also requires:

• Advising AVU and VRD Senior Staff on all aspects of work associated with specialisms
• Assessing methodologies regularly to provide on-going improvement in services
• Developing, evaluating, and implementing methods relevant to the specialist area
• Producing peer-reviewed publications on the results of research activities
• Providing scientific advice and support in relation to internal quality controls and external quality assessment
• Presenting research findings at local/national/international scientific meetings
• Ensuring robust arrangements for Clinical Governance
• Ensuring the probity and integrity of research undertaken
• Providing cover for other Clinical Scientist by validating reports at medical level on Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Contributing to development of efficient and user-friendly information technology systems and databases
• Using appropriate software packages for word processing, presentations, data analysis, and specialist bioinformatics packages
• Liaising with LIMS team on the introduction of new tests
• Promoting the personal and professional development of staff
• Ensuring junior staff and assigned visitors or trainees are competent to carry out the tasks given to them
• Developing and supervising postgraduate research projects
• Supporting the organisation of, and participating in, training programmes for staff and visitors
• Maintaining a high standard of work and appraising and contributing to developing services
• Working towards ensuring an efficient quality management system
• Contributing to internal/external quality assurance programmes
• Ensuring compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards
• Ensuring continual development and compliance of internal/external audit programmes and corrective actions
• Agreeing safety objectives with managed staff and reviewing performance at appraisal
• Supporting Senior Management Team in carrying out duties regarding health, safety, and welfare of self/staff/visitors

Essential criteria:

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject (i.e., Microbiology or Biological Science)
• PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree in relevant subject (i.e., Microbiology or Biological Science)
• Relevant professional qualification: full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as Clinical Scientist
• Extensive expertise in virology and antiviral resistant
• Substantive experience in Public Health Microbiology in reference and diagnostic settings
• Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate, and present to peers/others
• Strong proficiency in applying analytical and statistical techniques using a variety of software/codebases including expert-level knowledge of Python or other programming languages relevant to data and reproducible science

Desirable criteria:

• Proven record of research in relevant areas, including significant/relevant publications
• Able to prioritize own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others with experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of individuals