Senior Clinical Fellow NMRS

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a new role in UKHSA’s world-leading National Mycobacterial Reference Service (NMRS). The successful candidate will be part of an innovative and supportive team delivering whole-genome sequencing for TB as a routine diagnostic service for clinical and public health use. This is a 12-month fixed term appointment from August 2024 to July 2025, for applicants who have completed IMT / CMT or at ST 3-7, allowing the post-holder to develop expertise in genomic microbiology and mycobacteriology, with exciting possibilities for being involved in and developing research projects.  

Further details of qualifications required, and duties of the post-holder can be found in the person specification.

There are two posts available, one of which  is based in based in the NMRS-South laboratory in Colindale, London and the other is  based in the NMRS-North & Central laboratory in Birmingham; close working collaboration will be required between the two. Please indicate your preference of location on your application.

The National Mycobacterium Reference Service  is a UKHSA National Reference Centre for Tuberculosis and Mycobacteriology, with two laboratories, one based in London and the other in Birmingham.

The principal activities of the service include provision of a Mycobacterial Reference Service based on Whole Genome Sequencing for identification of Mycobacterium sp isolates; prediction of drug susceptibility and resistance, and determination of relatedness for detection of transmission and investigation of outbreaks. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing is carried out for selected M tuberculosis complex and non-tuberculosis mycobacterial isolates. The laboratory also offers primary isolation service including microscopy and culture; urgent PCR Service for detection of M. tuberculosis complex and rifampicin (and multidrug) resistance. The NMRS provides information and advice to clinical and public health teams for the identification and investigation of outbreaks and TB transmission. Our activities support surveillance activity for TB in the UK. 

At an international level the NMRS-South is a WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory within the Global Programme on Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis and works with other designated National Reference Centres. In addition to its reference, diagnostic and clinical activities, the NMRS carries out research projects in the UK, Europe and Africa.

The post-holder will be expected to contribute, with the support of senior colleagues, to the routine clinical functioning of the laboratory. This will include, but is not limited to:  

• Advising clinical and public health colleagues on the selection of diagnostic tests and interpretation of results (molecular, genomic and conventional).  

• Clinical authorisation of results and participation in weekly multidisciplinary meetings to discuss complex cases and laboratory results.  

• Initiation of and participation in clinical audit.  

• Liaison with public health teams in outbreaks and incidents. 

• Postgraduate teaching of medical and biomedical scientist trainees. 

• In addition, dependent on the post-holder’s experience and interests, there will be opportunities to participate in tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria outpatient clinics, TB cohort reviews and other clinical activities by arrangement.  

• Ensure that the epidemiology, surveillance and monitoring of communicable disease covered by your service is of the highest standard. 

UKHSA, one of the largest public health agencies in the world, delivers a wide range of public health functions, employs over 5,000 staff and manages a budget of £3.5 billion.  

The UK Health Security Agency exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and well-being and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific and delivery expertise and support.  

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. 

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Esther Robinson
• Email : esther.robinson@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : scs.mdrecruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk