Job overview

A Microbiologist Scientist in Water Microbiology (Band 6) is required to support the on-going growth and development of the environmental water surveillance activities of the Environmental Research Laboratory to attract new business and introduce new practices.

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, including 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 adoptedor validated withing the framework.

An MSc in a relevant field is essential. The candidate will be expected to write andreview SOPs. Competence in validating and optimising in-house methods is candidate will be expected to have microbiology and academic research experience of culture microbiology, molecular identification, MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry, environmental screening/sampling, and bacterial genomic extraction.Experience of research paper-writing for peer-review journal is desirable.

The role is required on a permanent basis (with performance/progress review at 3, 6and 12 months) with a view to open further opportunities upon successful expansion

Main duties of the job

1. 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

2. Support development and acquisition of new projects and testing requirements related to the environmental surveillance function.

3. Maintenance and recovery from cryo-storage of existing pathogen isolates from clinical and environmental libraries by culture.

4. Development of in-house methods and optimisation of new techniques.

5. Support the adoption of technologies, bespoke culture, molecular PCR, whole genome sequencing etc.

6. Quality control evaluation and assessment of methods

7. Lead and take responsibility of monthly departmental meetings to support the senior management with on-going progress, non-conformities, audits, SOP progress, training and development needs of the business.

8. Writing of departmental SOPs.

9. Writing of academic papers and/or generation of data to support grant applications.

10. Dissemination of findings in local or international conferences or meetings.

11. Completion of final results forms

12. To support the specific technical and clerical duties working with senior scientists as part of a team, to facilitate the smooth running of the service.

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.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.