Job summary

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 post holder will get the opportunity to input in various aspects of the groups work and provide toxicological advice as necessary to support the work of UKHSA.

They will also be required to have toxicological experience in chemical risk assessment, national chemicals regulation or human biomonitoring, to develop advice in these areas as necessary to support the work of UKHSA.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Toxicologist you will be required to provide advice on:

The health effects and risk assessments of chemicals in drinking water, land and waste processes, and communicate this advice in a manner appropriate to the recipient The public health impacts of chemical regulation in collaboration with UK Government departments The use of human biomonitoring in public health protection

You will also contribute to:

The development of the scientific content for the UKHSA Compendium of Chemical Hazards and a public-facing website to provide information in the potential health risks from chemicals. The General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programme's advice to Government Departments and Agencies on contamination of land and water, and from waste processes. To critically assess toxicity data on chemicals

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 post holder will get the opportunity to input in various aspects of the groups work and provide toxicological advice as necessary to support the work of UKHSA.

This role also offers the opportunity to take a lead role on projects related to human biomonitoring. Our ideal candidate will have an enthusiasm for understanding population exposure to and risks from environmental chemicals. The role requires a self-starter with an eye for detail. The post is challenging but you will join an enthusiastic and expert team.

For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Essential criteria

You will be assessed on the below 4essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description:

Relevant Bachelors or Masters qualification in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area Knowledge and practical experience of chemical risk assessment, or regulatory toxicology, or exposure science and human biomonitoring Good scientific report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences Demonstrate ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals.

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1:Application & Sift Competency-based assessments.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 4essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

CV/ Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

750word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at:

UKHSA ChiltonDidcotOX11 0RQ

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview .

There will be a Presentation.

Interviews will be held week commencing 16th September 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Face to Face interviews

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant Bachelors or Masters qualification in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Knowledge and practical experience of chemical risk assessment, or regulatory toxicology, or exposure science and human biomonitoring

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

Good scientific report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences Demonstrate ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals