About the job

Job summary

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently seeking a skilled Medical Entomologist to join their team during the summer months. The role involves supporting and delivering a variety of field-based research projects.

The Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) group plays a crucial role in assessing, preparing for, and responding to current and emerging vector-borne disease threats within the UK. Their expertise focuses on vector-related issues, particularly ticks and mosquitoes, through research and surveillance activities. Additionally, the team collaborates internationally on vector-borne diseases, participating in European funded projects and aiding the development of surveillance systems in the UK Overseas Territories. Their work translates into expert advice for UKHSA, the Department of Health, and related agencies, contributing to policy development, contingency planning, and public health preparedness.

The successful candidate will actively contribute to a diverse range of projects, including literature reviews, ecological field and laboratory-based research, and surveillance activities. These efforts support both UKHSA initiatives and externally funded projects. Key responsibilities include vector surveillance and research activities within the UK, involving data collection, analysis, interpretation, and the preparation of scientific reports and publications.

This role will support the Culex species distribution modelling project alongside partners from University of Liverpool, University of Lancaster and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.  You will support the collection of geographic location and larval habitat data for Culex species/forms across the UK, enabling the project to construct detailed vector probability maps, assessing the host feeding preference and vector competence of each of the species/forms and contributing to virus transmission simulation models across the UK.

The successful candidate must possess a valid full UK driving license and be open to travel within England and Wales as necessary (travel and expenses paid).

This role will be based at our UKHSA Porton Down near Salisbury (Manor Farm Road, Porton Down, Salisbury Wiltshire, SP4 0JG).

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Job description

1. Support the delivery of complex scientific studies of high quality to contribute to core funded research and national vector surveillance activities as well as externally funded contract work.
2. Investigate specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature on emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases, through horizon scanning activities, extracting, evaluating and summarising key scientific publications.
3. Carry out analysis and interpretation of scientific and surveillance data in collaboration with the project team, and as directed by the project lead.
4. Communicate openly with peers during project development, incorporating different ideas and opinions and present significant findings to project leads rapidly.
5. Produce robust and balanced literature reviews to assist in writing and/contributing to specialist reports and peer-reviewed publications.
6. Write and produce scientific reports (when necessary), in collaboration with senior MEZE staff on vector-borne disease risks, for presentation at national or international meetings and for publication in peer reviewed journals.
7. Assist with the production of advice and guidance materials on vector-borne disease risks for dissemination to local authorities or other government agencies responsible for health and wellbeing in their area.
8. Support the representation of MEZE at meetings within UKHSA and external to UKHSA in relation to medical entomology.
9. Assist in the development of less experienced UKHSA staff members and external collaborators in field research and arthropod vector identification methods (or any other relevant skills for a given project).
10. Assist in the development of written and verbal advice on the protection of the public from vector-borne disease issues as appropriate.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1200 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of medical entomology and vector-borne diseases.
• Knowledge and practical experience of using ecological field-based techniques for research and/or surveillance.
• Ability to work as part of a team, and independently, to deliver shared goals.
• Use organisational, time management and prioritisation skills to deliver agreed project goals/milestones within
• Ability to focus on allocated tasks, producing accurate and consistent work with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience in working within an environment where sudden unexpected demands require flexibility and re-prioritisation of work.

Desirable

• Higher degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Experience of relevant laboratory-based working practices for the identification of vectors (morphologically or molecularly) and/or pathogens e.g. PCR, sequencing.
• Experience of analysing ecological datasets and use of statistical software packages.
• Experience of manipulating/presenting data using ArcGIS.

Benefits

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• 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%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on the 8th of March 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: w/c 11th of March 2024

Interviews: w/c 25th of March 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.  People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.