Assistant Healthcare Scientist – UKHSA | £29,613–£30,266 + Market Pay Supplement to £32,578 | Colindale, London
Assistant Healthcare Scientist / Healthcare Scientist Support Worker
Job Overview
Employer: UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Location: Colindale Scientific Campus, London
Salary: £29,613–£30,266 per annum, pro rata
Market Pay Supplement: Total minimum pay raised to £32,578 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Job Grade: Administrative Officer
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible working
Job Type: Science / Laboratory
Vacancies: 1
Reference: 477239
Closing Date: 4 September 2026 at 11:55 PM
The UK Health Security Agency is recruiting an Assistant Healthcare Scientist / Healthcare Scientist Support Worker to join its Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIRL) Reference Unit at the Colindale Scientific Campus in London.
The successful candidate will support UKHSA’s national reference laboratory service for bacterial sexually transmitted infections, working under supervision while developing practical laboratory and scientific skills through structured training and competency assessment.
Please note: This is a laboratory-based position and hybrid working is not available.
Salary and Pay
The advertised salary is £29,613–£30,266 per annum, pro rata.
A Market Pay Supplement (MPS) is available to raise the total minimum salary to £32,578 per annum, pro rata, subject to annual review.
The role also provides membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
Key Responsibilities
- Receive, label, prepare and process clinical specimens.
- Follow laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Perform routine laboratory procedures following training and competency assessment.
- Support microbiological, molecular and serological laboratory procedures.
- Prepare laboratory media, reagents and consumables.
- Accurately record laboratory information.
- Use Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
- Support specimen storage, archiving and disposal.
- Monitor laboratory stock and assist with ordering supplies.
- Carry out routine equipment checks.
- Report equipment faults and discrepancies.
- Maintain clean, safe and organised laboratory work areas.
- Participate in quality assurance activities.
- Follow UKHSA health, safety and quality procedures.
- Comply with COSHH and infection-control requirements.
- Respond to routine laboratory enquiries.
- Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Participate in mandatory training and competency assessments.
- Develop technical laboratory knowledge and practical skills.
- Support service improvement and business continuity.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
- GCSEs or equivalent qualifications including English, Mathematics and Science at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent experience in a laboratory-based role.
- Ability to follow SOPs accurately.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Good organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Basic IT skills.
- Ability to accurately record information using computer systems.
- Ability to work safely and follow laboratory health and safety procedures.
- Willingness to undertake training and competency assessments.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Flexibility to support changing service priorities.
Desirable Experience
- Previous laboratory experience.
- Healthcare or scientific environment experience.
- Experience handling clinical specimens.
- Experience in diagnostic or research laboratories.
- Familiarity with LIMS.
- Knowledge of laboratory quality systems.
- Awareness of infection prevention and control.
- Knowledge of laboratory health and safety requirements.
- Experience in a regulated or accredited environment.
- Familiarity with UKAS ISO 15189.
- Awareness of bacterial sexually transmitted infections.
- Awareness of antimicrobial resistance.
Training and Development
The successful applicant will receive structured training and competency assessment appropriate to the position.
UKHSA also provides learning and development opportunities to help staff strengthen their technical knowledge and practical laboratory skills.
Benefits
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
- Learning and development tailored to the role.
- Flexible working options.
- Inclusive working environment.
- Technical and professional development opportunities.
- Multidisciplinary working environment.
Application Process
Candidates will be assessed using a competency-based recruitment process.
Stage 1 – Application and Sift
Applicants must complete an application form and provide a supporting statement of no more than 700 words.
The statement should explain how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications meet the essential criteria.
Important: Applicants cannot upload a CV. Complete the application form in as much detail as possible.
Stage 2 – Interview
Successful candidates will progress to interview and assessment.
The interview is expected to be face-to-face at:
UKHSA Scientific Campus
61 Colindale Avenue
London
NW9 5EQ
Remote interviews may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Security Clearance
Successful applicants must satisfy the required pre-employment security checks, including:
- Basic disclosure/criminal record checking.
- Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC).
- Baseline personnel security requirements.
Applicants should normally have been resident in the UK for the previous three years for national security vetting.
Eligibility and Nationality
The vacancy is open to external applicants, subject to Civil Service nationality and right-to-work requirements.
Eligible groups include certain:
- UK nationals.
- Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
- EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals with applicable settled/pre-settled status.
- Individuals with applicable limited or indefinite leave to remain.
- Turkish nationals and qualifying family members.
Visa Sponsorship / Certificate of Sponsorship
The advert does not state that Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available.
Applicants who require visa sponsorship should confirm their eligibility and sponsorship position directly with UKHSA before applying.
The CTC security requirement and UK residency expectations are particularly important for applicants currently outside the UK.
Location
Colindale Scientific Campus, London
This is a laboratory-based role and hybrid working is not available.
Future Location
UKHSA is investing in a new National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex.
The new facilities are expected to become operational in phases from the mid-2030s, with full completion planned by 2038.
Application Deadline
Friday, 4 September 2026 at 11:55 PM
Applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline because the vacancy will no longer be available once it closes.
How to Apply
Apply for the Assistant Healthcare Scientist position
Contact Information
Job Contact: Timor Miakhel
Email: timor.miakhel@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment Team: recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Final Reminder
This opportunity may suit candidates with a science or laboratory background who want to develop their career within healthcare science, microbiology, diagnostic laboratories or public health.
Make sure your supporting statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the seven essential criteria, particularly your qualifications, laboratory experience, ability to follow SOPs, attention to detail, IT skills, communication and teamwork.
Closing date: 4 September 2026 at 11:55 PM.