UK Health Security Agency
Senior Biomedical Scientist
The closing date is 24 November 2026

Job summary
Under the guidance of the Lead BMS, on a rotational basis to be responsible for and participate in the day-to-day running of a laboratory section which provides routine and specialist diagnostic laboratory services in Microbiology in accordance with national and professional standards. To take responsibility for the technical performance of the section, ensuring the production of reliable, relevant and timely results and reports.

With other senior staff, participate in the supervision, training and development of staff in the department. With the Laboratory Manager, contribute to the development of the services provided to meet the users' requirements.

Main duties of the job
Interpersonal and communication skills

• Communicate complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information to laboratory staff, clinicians and healthcare professionals.
• Telephone and communicate urgent or significant results to appropriate clinical staff.
• Liaise with patients, clinicians, nursing staff, laboratory colleagues and external organisations regarding sample requirements, testing requirements and results.
• Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in departmental, senior staff and Trust meetings.
• Produce written reports on service performance and service improvements.
• Deliver presentations at internal and external meetings.
• Provide training, instruction and guidance to Biomedical Scientists, trainees, Medical Laboratory Assistants and junior medical staff.
• Ensure accurate exchange of information through verbal and written communication.

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details
Date posted: 10 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £49,387 to £56,515 a year, per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 919-VO-301019-EXT
Job locations: Laboratory, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Problem-solving and decision-making

• Assess sample suitability and determine appropriate testing pathways.
• Interpret complex microbiological findings and validate diagnostic results.
• Apply specialist knowledge to initiate further investigations where required.
• Troubleshoot laboratory equipment, analysers and technical processes.
• Investigate incidents, undertake root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Make judgements on complex diagnostic and operational problems.
• Escalate issues affecting service delivery to the Lead BMS or Laboratory Manager.
• Prioritise workload and resources to maintain service continuity.

Planning and coordination

• Organise and supervise day-to-day activities within a laboratory section.
• Coordinate staffing and workload allocation within the section.
• Plan and deliver induction and training programmes.
• Ensure adequate supplies of reagents, consumables and equipment.
• Participate in workforce planning and service provision arrangements.
• Coordinate quality assurance, audits and validation activities.
• Provide operational cover for Senior Biomedical Scientists and Lead BMS staff as required.

Practical and technical skills

• Examine and report on microscopy preparations and microbiological cultures.
• Perform routine and specialist diagnostic testing.
• Demonstrate highly developed manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
• Undertake complex analytical and technical procedures with accuracy.
• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Use scalpels and other laboratory tools safely.
• Maintain competence in specimen processing and specialised laboratory techniques.

Patient care and support

• Indirect contribution to patient care through accurate processing, analysis, interpretation and reporting of microbiological investigations.

Service development and improvement

• Contribute to discussions on workflow, methodology and service improvements.
• Assist in the development, review and implementation of laboratory procedures and SOPs.
• Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives and accreditation requirements.
• Evaluate new equipment, technologies and diagnostic techniques.
• Contribute to research, service development projects and implementation of new systems of work.

Finance and resource management

• Ensure efficient and safe use of laboratory consumables and equipment.
• Reorder equipment, reagents and consumables as required.
• Manage resources within the section to maintain uninterrupted service delivery.
• Support cost-effective working practices and minimisation of waste.

Leadership and team management

• Day-to-day supervision of Biomedical Scientists, Trainees, Medical Laboratory Assistants and Clerical Staff.
• Monitor staff performance and provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Conduct appraisals and contribute to performance management processes.
• Participate in recruitment activities.
• Organise, deliver and assess staff training and competency programmes.
• Lead and coordinate activities within a laboratory section.

Information and data management

• Competent user of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Input, validate and retrieve patient and laboratory data.
• Produce reports, performance information and service improvement documentation.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and documentation.
• Use Microsoft Office and other software packages for data analysis and reporting.
• Ensure confidentiality, accuracy and security of information.

Autonomy and decision authority

• Work independently within professional, departmental and regulatory frameworks.
• Authorise and technically validate routine and specialist laboratory results.
• Make decisions regarding testing protocols and referral of complex cases.
• Exercise professional judgement in problem solving and service delivery.
• Escalate issues beyond own authority to senior management when necessary.
• Participate in out-of-hours and on-call working with independent decision-making responsibilities.

Please note, this list is not exhaustive.

Essential Criteria

• Biomedical Sciences degree or equivalent
• State registration with HCPC
• MSc in Biomedical Science/Microbiology/Biological Sciences or similar or equivalent qualification or equivalent laboratory experience
• Strong working knowledge of lab procedures
• Experience of staff training / Able to organise less qualified staff
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety issues within a laboratory
• Ability to work as a team

Selection Process Details
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 and Sift
Competency based. You will be required to complete an application form and a 1000 word supporting statement. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications, we will longlist into 3 piles: 1. Meets all essential criteria 2. Meets some essential criteria 3. Meets no essential criteria. If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria of State registration with HCPC. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview
Competency based. You will be invited to a face-to-face interview at the Pathology Building, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Westbury-On-Trym, Bristol BS10 5NB. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview. There will be a Presentation: you will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation at the start of your interview on the role of a senior BMS in supporting and developing others. Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

Location
This role is being offered as laboratory based at our site in Bristol. When based at a lab, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. Please note, hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria
This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, 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.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Resourcing Support, Vanessa Otoo, vanessa.otoo@ukhsa.gov.uk

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice.