About the job

Job summary

The Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) group assesses, prepares, and responds to current and emerging vector-borne disease threats in the UK. The team provides entomological expertise on vector issues through research and surveillance activities, primarily on ticks and mosquitoes. The team also works internationally on vectors and vector-borne diseases to deliver European funded projects and to support the development and delivery of surveillance systems in the UK Overseas Territories.

We are seeking an additional team member to support the delivery of our expanding research and surveillance portfolio on vectors and vector-borne diseases. As a medical entomologist you will be part of a team that assesses, prepares, and responds to current and emerging vector-borne disease threats in the UK. You will work with internal and external collaborators within and outside UKHSA to deliver the scientific and technical activities of the MEZE group. Your research and surveillance activities will be translated into expert advice for UKHSA, the Department of Health, and related sister agencies and departments, contributing to policy, contingency planning, and public health preparedness on vector-borne diseases. Join us in our mission to protect public health from vector-borne diseases.

One of the key projects that will be delivered by this role is OPTICK, a one health collaboration with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.  OPTICK is a large multi-institution, transdisciplinary UKRI Defra funded research project focused on optimising One Health Surveillance and management of tick-borne disease threats in a changing environment. This will involve the post holder conducting field projects in the South-West of England and Wales, working on farms to collect ecological data. The post holder will then test ticks for pathogens and analyse data associated with the project. Pathogen analysis will involve time spent at the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Weybridge (travel and expenses paid). 

The post holder will be required to hold a valid UK driving licence, you may also be required to travel overseas and obtain security clearance.

This role will be based at UKHSA Porton Down near Salisbury and includes regular work at the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Weybridge (KT15 3NB), travel expenses will be covered. Some Hybrid work may be available

*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, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working,

Job description

• Support programme managers to deliver a programme of work as set out in the teams/divisions business plan.
• Investigate worldwide entomological and infectious disease literature and other sources on emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases, to identify vector-borne disease risks that might be relevant to UK public health.
• Further develop vector research and surveillance activities for human vector-borne diseases, leading on specific projects and utilising a range of research methods (desk/lab/field-based), statistical analyses and entomological research techniques to identify risks that might be relevant to UK public health as specified in the business plan.
• Critically analyse and interpret data and information on complex, sensitive or contentious issues from internally and externally funded contract work, drawing conclusions and making recommendations for the way forward, including the production of reports, presentations, peer-reviewed publications and funding applications where appropriate.
• Take responsibility for the supervision, training and mentoring of staff allocated to the projects you lead. Deputise for the Principle Medical Entomologist as required and represent Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology at key cross-government (or equivalent) meetings when necessary.
• Lead projects and mentor staff on vector-borne disease related surveillance and research in the UK and overseas (if required), ensuring timely delivery of reports to funders and stakeholders.
• Liaise with colleagues in UKHSA and other Government Departments to assist with developing robust reporting lines for emerging VBD events and establish and maintain links/collaborations with other national and international experts in order to obtain relevant technical information, discuss ideas, describe work developments and progress.
• Act as a point of contact to provide advice on vector-borne disease issues, providing assistance to UKHSA staff, programme managers and other stakeholders.
• Assist in developing responses to internal correspondence and parliamentary questions. Supporting or leading the delivery of reports / risk assessments to Government.
• Assist in producing 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.
• Assist in providing written and verbal advice on the protection of the public from vector-borne disease issues where appropriate, including providing training and support to UKHSA centres, and local authorities on tick and mosquito related issues.

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 your experience of each of the outlined criteria (full list can be found in the attached job description):

 

Essential

• PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree and substantial relevant experience.
• Significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses.
• Experience of developing and co-ordinating complex field-based research projects in potentially challenging environments with potentially changing priorities/tight deadlines
• Demonstration of an active research profile through peer review publications record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases.
• Ability to prepare and produce evidence based scientific material for dissemination to a broad range of stakeholders, including non-specialists, as required.
• Excellent communication skills, team player and ability to work constructively with people across a wide range of settings and levels.
• Ability to identify scientific issues drawn from multiple sources, undertake comprehensive literature reviews, assess materials with conflicting states and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to a large-scale vector surveillance programme
• Experience of staff recruitment, selection, and supervision.
• Experience of contributing to successful research proposals

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,724, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,455 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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 (1500 words max). This will be assessed in line with the essential criteria – 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 14th 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: TBC

Interviews:  TBC

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.