Microbiologist Scientist - Water Microbiology

Job overview

The Environmental Research Laboratory is a multi-disciplinary research and diagnostics facility within R&D that specialises in infection control microbiology, clinical microbiology, antimicrobial discovery and novel therapeutics. The main expertise of the Laboratory is microbiological testing in the healthcare environment ( surveillance of Air, Water, surfaces). It serves functions in-house and provides microbiology consultancy to external customers and to industry.
The Environmental Research Laboratory Lead presents an opportunity for a Microbiologist Scientist (Band 4) to support the undertaking of water sampling and analysis for Pseudomonas, Legionella and other microorganisms from the existing portfolio of hospital sites at UCLH and related private centres. 
The role will see the day-to-day maintenance of the existing portfolio of water testing (Pseudomonas, Legionella) and environmental surveillance in hospitals and the acquisition of new business and diagnostic methodologies, such as rapid ID and molecular tools. The candidate will support the Quality systems and Technical management aspects of this ISO accredited laboratory and of new diagnostics adopted or validated withing the framework. 
A BSc in a relevant field is essential. The candidate will be expected to have experience in an ISO accredited diagnostic laboratory. 

Main duties of the job

1. Collection of water samples; receipt of submitted samples and booking-in for microbiology analysis and completion of all related paperwork
2. Processing of all water samples for microbiology analysis (Legionella and Pseudomonas examinations)
3. Performance of all follow-up microbiology testing, confirmations, counting of plates and recording of observations
4. Completion of final results forms for review and authorisation by the senior scientist(s) and management
5. Support the existing portfolio of environmental testing that includes water surveillance (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila) and to capture related monitoring programmes: quality assurance microbiology, ad-hoc and outbreak surveillance, infection-control consultancy diagnostics
6. Support the development and acquisition of new projects and testing requirements related to the environmental surveillance function.
7. Maintenance and recovery from cryo-storage of existing pathogen isolates from clinical and environmental libraries by culture. 
8. Development of in-house methods and optimisation of new, novel and existing techniques for environmental surveillance. 
9. Support the adoption of new and alternative technologies, bespoke culture, molecular PCR, whole genome sequencing etc.
10. Participate in monthly departmental meetings to support the senior management with on-going progress, non-conformities, audits, SOP progress, training and development needs of the business.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

·University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

·National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

·Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

·University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

·Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

·University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

·The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

·University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.