Senior Scientist (Epidemiology - AMR & Stewardship)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Surveillance and Data Analysis

• Identify surveillance needs within given lead areas, create surveillance system specifications, conduct complex statistical analyses and interpret surveillance data, making appropriate recommendations, develop automated routines and solutions and supervise / assure on the preparation, quality and delivery of routine and ad hoc surveillance reports.
• Respond to complex or sensitive data requests including Parliamentary Questions.

Enhanced surveillance and Epidemiological Investigations

• Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to make recommendations and inform decision making which may have long term impacts.

Statistical and software skills

• Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms and translate statistical processes into automated solutions where appropriate.

Audit, Quality and Governance

• Advise on quality and governance issues including information security for all aspects of surveillance work, evaluating existing systems, and use to improve standards and consistency across the team.
• Contribute to the Division quality programme such as through audit and be responsible for the quality of data collected, stored, and extracted and transferred.

Research

• Project manage research studies, analysing datasets with appropriate methodology to answer research questions, supported by the systematic review of literature and with knowledge of how to develop a grant proposal, and apply for ethical approval.
• Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other for a and publish and present scientific papers on public health surveillance and infectious disease control in collaboration with health, public health, academic and other partners.

Teaching / Training

• Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities (including to the development of teaching material and courses) on surveillance, epidemiology information science, data management, information governance and quality and support ongoing training activities within the team and Division.

Strategic thinking

• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners, actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues, identify potential problems and seek to resolve and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, as requested by the ESPAUR Chair.

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 responsibilities.

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.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 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):

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This stage 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 510-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidates experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 5th January 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 8th January 2024

Interviews: w/c 29th January 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)
• MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education

Desirable

• Completion of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme or equivalent training and experience
• Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance and/or public health
• PhD or equivalent experience in public health, epidemiology, health-care research or similar

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
• Experience of interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses
• Demonstrable experience of public health, health protection or epidemiology including experience of complex and/or sensitive health data analyses
• Knowledge and experience of common statistical tests, modelling and analyses and interpret results appropriately, including for surveillance and research purposes
• Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software packages
• Knowledge of health and social care environment, and roles and responsibilities within it including information flows in the NHS and allied services
• Understanding of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements

Desirable

• Experience of teaching epidemiology and/or surveillance
• Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journals
• Experience of effective line management
• Experience or placement in pharmacy

Skills / capabilities/ behaviours

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills
• Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
• Able to work under own initiative, respond to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Any UKHSA Location

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)