Head of Virus Reference Department

Clinical Lead, Virus Reference Department (VRD)

Location:
Colindale, London (with UK-wide responsibilities)

Contract:
Permanent

Working Pattern:
Up to 10 Programmed Activities (5 days per week)

Flexible working, part-time and job-share applications welcomed

AfC Band 9 (UKPHR)

£112,782 - £129,783 per annum, plus High Cost Area Supplement (up to £6,137)

Lead a National Centre of Excellence in Virology

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is seeking an outstanding clinical or scientific leader to become Head of the Virus Reference Department (VRD).

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the UK's foremost virology reference services, delivering national impact across infectious disease surveillance, specialist diagnostics, outbreak response and public health protection.

As Clinical Lead, you will provide strategic, clinical and scientific leadership for a nationally recognised department at the forefront of responding to existing and emerging viral threats. Working with senior colleagues across government, the NHS, academia and public health, you will help shape the future of virology services and strengthen the UK's health security.

VRD is part of UKHSA's Public Health Microbiology Directorate and provides specialist laboratory services, expert clinical advice and scientific leadership to organisations across the UK and internationally.

Its work includes:

• Specialist molecular and serological diagnostics
• Complex reference testing
• Virus culture and characterisation
• Antiviral susceptibility testing
• Development and validation of new diagnostic methods
• National surveillance and outbreak investigations
• Scientific support during public health incidents and emergencies

The department comprises eight specialist units and is fully accredited to ISO 15189 standards by UKAS.

As Head of VRD, you will lead a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, innovative and nationally important virology services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing clinical and scientific leadership across the department.
• Driving the strategic development of national virology reference services.
• Leading clinical governance, quality assurance and risk management.
• Providing expert virology advice to clinicians, laboratories and public health partners.
• Supporting national outbreak investigations and incident responses.
• Contributing to research, innovation and the introduction of new technologies.
• Developing and supporting the next generation of scientific and clinical leaders.

You will also contribute to UKHSA's national clinical advisory services, including the Rabies and Immunoglobulin Advisory Service and the out-of-hours on-call rota.

We are looking for a respected clinical or scientific leader with:

• Extensive expertise in diagnostic and public health virology.
• A proven track record of leadership in a complex health, scientific or public health environment.
• Experience of clinical governance, quality management and service development.
• Expertise in outbreak response, surveillance and incident management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to innovation, research, education and continuous improvement.

You will have the professional registration and qualifications appropriate to your discipline, including GMC Specialist Registration (medical applicants) or HCPC registration and relevant specialist qualifications (clinical scientist applicants).

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in protecting public health, influencing national policy and leading one of the UK's most influential virology services.