Role description
Applicants for the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme will be interviewed virtually on a platform called Qpercom Recruit. Your role alongside other panel members is to conduct interviews, score the applicants against the specific criteria and provide written feedback.
Each interview consists of:
- a 15 minute pre-meet of the panel and host
- a 10 minute presentation by the applicant
- 10 minutes of questions on the presentation
- 20 minutes of questions on leadership and management (consisting of 4 questions)
- 15 minutes of questions on specialist science (consisting of 3 questions)
- a 10 minute panel discussion, after individual scoring
Each panel will be made up of 2 specialist scientists within the specialty, a HEI/NSHCS representative and an external observer if available. Interviews will be facilitated by administrative support from the NSHCS who will conduct pre-interview checks with the applicant and can offer support on the day as required.
The interview questions and scoring criteria will be provided to you and will have been reviewed ahead of time. You do not have to do any follow-up after the interview has taken place. The final decision on appointability is assessed within the School based on the overall score from all panel members. The NSHCS recruitment team will inform the applicants and organisations of outcomes and feedback.
Full and detailed guidance on the interview process, scoring and how to use the Qpercom Recruit system will be provided to you ahead of time. The NSHCS recruitment team will be on hand throughout the process to offer support and assist you with any queries.
We cannot run interviews without your on-going support so we greatly appreciate the dedication of your time. Being a panel member is an interesting and rewarding experience, helping us to deliver a strong cohort of future consultant scientists, capable of meeting the scientific needs of the healthcare system. Evidence of your attendance will be provided so it can be used for your continuing professional development.
Minimum criteria/experience
Consultant Clinical Scientist or equivalent in the specialty being interviewed for, or a closely allied specialty.
Typical time commitment
Each interview will be allocated 1 hour 30 minutes. We would appreciate your availability provided to us in half or full days, across the interview window (dates will be published on the website when confirmed). Please place a hold in your diary for the availability you provide to us and we will confirm the interview schedule to you as soon as possible.