Consultant in Infection
UK Health Security Agency
Salisbury, SP4 0JG
Salary
£94,356 to £150,569
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
8 September 2026
8 days left
Job description
The Rare & Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) provides frontline clinical specialist diagnostics and advice for rare, imported or hazardous infectio...
UKHSA Porton hosts an environmental laboratory testing samples for a range of pathogens from potentially contaminated sites. The site also includes facilities for studies on disease pathogenesis, and testing vaccines and therapeutics against dangerous infectious diseases, and there is a small vaccine production unit. The post-holder is also expected to work closely with the relevant teams at Porton and at other UKHSA sites.
The RIPL team also contributes to the UKHSA Rabies service, which is a cross-directorate, cross-group service delivered by multiple groups. The aim of this post is to consolidate some of the rabies activities in line with the development of testing services at Porton.
The postholder will also contribute to the wider work of RIPL and will be expected to develop experience in risk assessment and management for the other RIPL-relevant infectious agents, as well as aspects of preventing contamination, environmental sampling and decontamination. They will provide expert consultant support for RIPL and the Imported Fever Service and will be a key part of the team offering advice on diagnosis, management, and infection control for these agents.
- Lead the development of the clinical service for Rabies virus, including working with APHA and key laboratory personnel in UKHSA to improve national testing capabilities, oversight and clinical governance.
- Lead on development of national guidelines as required.
Please refer to Job Description for full outline of duties.
In addition to the above, the post holder is expected to: Actively assist in the development of joint plans and system wide priorities for public health action or improvement. Ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements at all times. Work with Health Protection Services and relevant UKHSA departments to support surveillance and prevention programmes. Actively identify, lead, and contribute to quality improvement and governance initiatives in line with strategic direction of the organisation. Actively assist in the development of joint plans and system wide priorities for public health action or improvement. Ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements at all times. Contribute to proactive and responsive media issues. Provide clinical/professional supervision and mentorship. Participate in organisational and professional appraisal and revalidation. Be committed to Continuing Medical Education & Development and the requirements of Clinical Governance and Audit.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Competency
At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.
You will be required to complete an
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) Up to 1000 word Statement of Suitability
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)
Your statement of suitability must be no more than 1000 words.
If we receive a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead essential criteria listed underQualifications in the Person Specifications section of thejob description.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist and only candidates who meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2:Interview stage (competency based)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
This vacancy is being assessed using competency based framework. During the interview we will assess against the below:
KnowledgeExperienceSkills and Abilities
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Hybrid working attached to a specific Scientific CampusThis role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in PortonWe offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our campus. Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Successful candidates must pass a basicdisclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can beappointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.
External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the CivilService (including internal applicants).
Salary InformationIf you are successful at interview, and are moving from another governmentdepartment, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority.
AfC band 8d (UKPHR) £94,356 - £108,814
Consultant (GMC) £113,565 - £150,569
Per annum, pro rata
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical practitioner, with full General Medical Council (GMC) registration and a license to practice
- If on the GMC Specialist Register in a specialty other than infectious diseases, medical microbiology or virology, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience
- UK trained applicants must hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in a relevant speciality (Microbiology, Virology, Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine) or be within six months of award of CCT by the date of interview. Applicants who are non-UK trained will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
- Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT or its recognised equivalence in any relevant combination of Microbiology/ Virology/Infectious Diseases/Tropical Medicine
Desirable
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists or equivalent
- Diploma in Tropical Medicine
- Further qualifications in microbiology or virology (PhD, DPhil, MSc etc)
Experience
Essential
- Experience in Microbiological/virological aspects of infection control in hospitals, public places, and the environment
- Experience relevant to RIPL pathogens during training or prior roles, for example DTM&H or tropical medicine experience
Desirable
- Experience of people management, training and mentoring
- Experience of project management
- Peer reviewed scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars, etc
Skills and Ability
Essential
- Ability to offer an expert clinical and clinical laboratory opinion on a range of problems relating to Microbiology & Virology in primary care, inpatient and tertiary referral settings
- Excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the public and the media)
- Ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances.
- Computer literate
Desirable
- Understanding of epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health care evaluation
Behaviours
Essential
- Commitment to team-working and respect and consideration for the skills of others
- Self-motivated, pro-active, and innovative
- High standards of professional probity
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
18 August 2026
Last checked
20 August 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
Explore related
