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.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and with external and internal collaborators within and outside UKHSA, the post holder will provide medical entomological and vector-borne disease expertise (particularly on tick-borne diseases) within a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities of the Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology group.
Main duties of the job
One of the key roles of this job will be to enhance the one health collaborations with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, working on one health aspects of tick-borne disease. The successful candidate will support the delivery of OpTick, 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. You will work closely with co-leads and staff members employed by the Animal and Plant Health Agency and researchers at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. This will require time spent at APHA Weybridge, with a base location of UKHSA Porton Down.
The post holder will be required to hold a valid driving license for use in the UK.
About us
Working for the UKHSA
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 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.
- Deliver projects and train staff on vector-borne disease related surveillance and research in the UK and overseas, 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 expert 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.
- To produce 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.
- To provide 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.
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 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.
- Deliver projects and train staff on vector-borne disease related surveillance and research in the UK and overseas, 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 expert 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.
- To produce 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.
- To provide 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.
Please refer to the Job Description for a full list of responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree and substantial relevant experience
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses
- Experience of contributing to large scale vector surveillance programmes
- 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 publication record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases
- Experience of drafting briefing papers, presentations and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders for project meetings and/or training purposes
Desirable
- Experience of staff recruitment, selection and supervision
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, team player and ability to work constructively with people across a wide range of settings and levels
- Ability to prepare and produce evidence based scientific material for dissemination to a broad range of stakeholders, including non-specialists, as required
- 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
- Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decisions
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements, accordingly, including flexibility in unpredictable situations e.g. response to global public health threats
- Evidence of continuing professional development with high degree of self-motivation
Desirable
- Experience of contributing to successful research proposals
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree and substantial relevant experience
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses
- Experience of contributing to large scale vector surveillance programmes
- 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 publication record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases
- Experience of drafting briefing papers, presentations and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders for project meetings and/or training purposes
Desirable
- Experience of staff recruitment, selection and supervision
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, team player and ability to work constructively with people across a wide range of settings and levels
- Ability to prepare and produce evidence based scientific material for dissemination to a broad range of stakeholders, including non-specialists, as required
- 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
- Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decisions
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements, accordingly, including flexibility in unpredictable situations e.g. response to global public health threats
- Evidence of continuing professional development with high degree of self-motivation
Desirable
- Experience of contributing to successful research proposals
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).
