About the job

Job summary

You will be joining the Clinical & Emerging Infections Directorate working in the Acute Respiratory Infections unit of the Tuberculosis (TB) Acute Respiratory, Zoonoses, Emerging infection, and Travel health division (TARZET). The mission of TARZET is to protect the public from respiratory, imported, emerging, and novel infections through world-leading public health microbiology and virology, outbreak response, surveillance, research and interventions.

We are a multidisciplinary team delivering surveillance, epidemiology, public health and clinical advice, microbiology and virology, incident and outbreak response, and advice to government. We work closely with NHS England and NHS Trusts, with international agencies and colleagues, and in a fully integrated way with multiple academic partners, with associated research opportunities.

The post holder, based at the UKHSA Colindale site, will take a senior role in providing and developing national surveillance of acute respiratory infections, developing guidance and leading research studies. There are a number of areas of focus within the Unit including but not limited to:

Avian and other zoonotic influenzas, Coronaviruses (other than SARS-CoV2), and Legionella Mycoplasma. The role will involve working in a small team to provide scientific support to the analysis, operation, and development of surveillance systems including development of methodology and directing changes to data capture systems in liaison with system architects and software developers. The role may involve day-to-day management of scientific, technical and information staff within their Section

Location

61 Colindale Ave, London NW9 5EQ or 10 South Colonnade, London E14 4PH with hybrid working

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

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

Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As a Principal Scientist your main responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage the development and improvement of acute respiratory surveillance systems.
• Conduct complex statistical and epidemiological analyses on respiratory infection data.
• Provide expert advice to various stakeholders including government agencies, public health practitioners, and media.
• Recognize and respond to emerging threats through data analysis and risk assessments.
• Offer specialist advice on preventing and controlling acute respiratory infections.
• Manage scientific and administrative staff, ensuring quality outputs and periodic evaluation of surveillance systems.
• Design analytical strategies and supervise statistical analyses for research reports and publications.
• Initiate collaborative projects to address public health research questions.
• Contribute to business planning, budget management, and staff recruitment and management.
• Develop quality control processes and ensure compliance with standards and governance requirements.
• Plan and oversee the development of epidemiological publications and presentations.
• Contribute to teaching and training in public health and epidemiology and participate in peer review activities.

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. Please review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words (max 1500) 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, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):

Essential:

• Degree level education in relevant scientific field or equivalent experience, preferably with a higher degree in epidemiology/public health/microbiology or related discipline.
• Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, and prevention, coupled with experience in communicable disease epidemiology and prevention.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis of large datasets using STATA and/or R, along with the ability to write research protocols, grant applications, and scientific reports.
• Understanding of UK healthcare systems and public health functions, including competence in preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures.
• Effective team player with motivation and leadership skills, capable of making autonomous decisions, particularly in problem-solving and tight deadlines, while maintaining clear and concise communication.
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and fostering good working relationships, ensuring adherence to confidentiality requirements.

Desirable:

• PhD or equivalent research experience, complemented by substantial post-graduate experience and a track record of presenting scientific papers at national/international conferences and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in creating, validating, and managing large databases, preferably within the context of previous work experience within the NHS or related health sectors.
• Management and leadership experience with scientific and technical staff, including collaboration with external partners such as health professionals and academics.

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%

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 post 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. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5/10-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

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 22nd April 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 29th April 2024

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

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.