About the job

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Scientist (Epidemiology) to work within our Clinical and Public Health group at UKHSA.

This post is within the surveillance section of the Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI), Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Antimicrobial Utilisation & Sepsis division of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.

In this role you will adopt a variety of public health and surveillance portfolios, develop and implement standardised data collection and analysis protocols, identify data quality issues and facilitate their resolution.

Location:

This role is based at 61 Colindale Avenue London NW9 5EQ.

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. *

Job description

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

Surveillance and Epidemiology

• Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems related to the projects to underpin public health action across the department and surveillance systems therein.
• Have responsibility for the development and productivity of the information and intelligence system(s) related to the projects, including project management.
• Undertake specialist and complex analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets which will require selection of the best option from a range of possible solutions.
• Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to inform decision making.
• Receive, interpret, provide and advise on complex epidemiological and statistical information about the health of populations to the NHS, Department of Health and others.

Specialist Advice and Evaluation

• Communicate effectively and diplomatically research and other specialist information with colleagues from own or other disciplines and present findings at local, national and international meetings and conferences.
• Write and/or contribute to national and local policy setting reports, as well as peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, on the health of the population.

Research and Development

• Undertake literature reviews, evaluative research surveys, audits and other research as required.

Teaching and Training

• Assist in teaching and training courses run at Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Colindale and outside, by producing presentation materials and assist in HCAI & AMR lectures.

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 1500 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

• Primary Degree in a suitable science subject
• Data management, analysis and reporting
• Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data
• Preparing scientific reports and presentations
• Of using computers and database software packages (Microsoft Word and Excel). Including software packages for statistical analysis of data, specifically STATA and/or R
• Able to work as a team member, as well as able to work independently and to deadlines.

Desirable

• MSc in Epidemiology or allied discipline or equivalent work experience
• Experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention
• Experience of project management
• Experience of working in the NHS, Health Protection Agency, Public Health England or UKHSA. 

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 and Statement of Suitability. 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.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This stage will involve an interview via MS Teams. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to an interview that will involve an in-depth discussion of their previous experience and professional competence. This stage will also include candidates to complete a technical test, with full details provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 28th July 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: TBC

Interviews: w/c 12th August 2024

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.