Job summary
The Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) group assess, prepare, and respond to current and emerging vector-borne disease threats in the UK. The team provide entomological expertise on vector issues through research and surveillance activities, primarily on ticks and mosquitoes. The team also work 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.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work to actively support and contribute to the delivery of a wide range of projects through literature reviews, ecological field/laboratory-based research and surveillance activities and contribution to peer-reviewed publications, as required by UKHSA and externally funded projects.
The post holder will be required to hold a valid driving licence for use in the UK.
About us
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:
- 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.
- 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.
- Carry out analysis and interpretation of scientific and surveillance data in collaboration with the project team, and as directed by the project lead.
- Communicate openly with peers during project development, incorporating different ideas and opinions and present significant findings to project leads rapidly.
- Produce robust and balanced literature reviews to assist in writing and/contributing to specialist reports and peer-reviewed publications.
- 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.
- 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.
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 refer to the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:
- 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.
- 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.
- Carry out analysis and interpretation of scientific and surveillance data in collaboration with the project team, and as directed by the project lead.
- Communicate openly with peers during project development, incorporating different ideas and opinions and present significant findings to project leads rapidly.
- Produce robust and balanced literature reviews to assist in writing and/contributing to specialist reports and peer-reviewed publications.
- 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.
- 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.
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 refer to the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Higher degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Knowledge of medical entomology and vector-borne diseases.
- Knowledge and experience of conducting robust and/or systematic literature reviews, including use of relevant databases and references management software
- Knowledge and practical experience of using ecological field-based techniques for research and/or surveillance.
Desirable
- 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.
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce scientific reports and presentations.
- 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.
- Willing to travel overseas to deliver project goals and carry out scientific research and/or training.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Higher degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Knowledge of medical entomology and vector-borne diseases.
- Knowledge and experience of conducting robust and/or systematic literature reviews, including use of relevant databases and references management software
- Knowledge and practical experience of using ecological field-based techniques for research and/or surveillance.
Desirable
- 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.
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce scientific reports and presentations.
- 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.
- Willing to travel overseas to deliver project goals and carry out scientific research and/or training.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
