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UK Health Security Agency

Principal Infectious Disease Modeller

The closing date is 24 September 2025

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Job summary

This permanent post will lead on transmission-dynamic modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis of gonorrhoea vaccination, which will be a growth area in the coming years. The UK is the first country to implement a national gonorrhoea vaccination programme, using 4CMenB, which has been found to be partially-protective. Gonorrhoea-specific vaccines are in development, as well as vaccines against other STIs.

The postholder will develop models to evaluate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of vaccination programmes to support the requirements of JCVI in the provision of national vaccination policy recommendations. The role will include analysis of complex data to obtain parameters for models, writing, checking and documenting model code, compilation of scientific reports and scientific publication.

This is a key post contributing to UKHSA's capacity and capability in transmission-dynamic modelling and health-economic evaluations to further understanding and inform decision-making. As well as requiring specific technical expertise, this post requires broad scientific knowledge and involves substantial interdisciplinary working (e.g. with medical, clinical, and scientific staff) within UKHSA and in other organisations, nationally and internationally.

The work done by the post holder will help shape future policy making and scientific advances in this field. Hence it carries considerable potential for original scientific work and requires a high degree of personal motivation.

Main duties of the job

  • Lead development of transmission-dynamic models and integrated cost-effectiveness analysis of gonorrhoea to understand epidemiology and assess impact and cost-effectiveness of interventions.
  • Lead parameterisation of models by analysis of appropriate data and critical review of relevant literature, synthesising multiple evidence sources, including leading the identification, use and analysis of complex and often large datasets. This includes modelling the relationship between vaccine trial outcomes and population-level impacts.
  • Develop methods to make better use of data to inform models and to take advantage of increases in the volume and richness of datasets, adapting and extending existing models or designing and building new models as appropriate.
  • Provide leadership and management for gonorrhoea vaccination modelling and health economics project work: planning, developing, managing and co-ordinating projects to ensure deliverables are met.
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of protocols for managing development of models, including quality assurance and version control.
  • Take responsibility for instigating and coordinating research with multidisciplinary teams in UKHSA and wider public health and academia, JCVI, DHSC, and other organisations as appropriate.
  • Disseminate research through publication in high-quality peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations at national and international conferences and meetings as appropriate.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

03 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£58,589 to £68,344 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-CG-307817-EXT

Job locations

10 South Colonnade

London

E14 4PU


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post is located in the Modelling and Economics Unit, which is part of the Statistics, Modelling and Economic Department (SMED) of the Modelling Division. The SMED is a dynamic and stimulating group comprising infectious disease modellers, statisticians, and health economists working on diverse projects relating to the burden of infectious disease, disease determinants, and the impact of interventions against infections, both nationally and internationally. The work of the Department is frequently used to inform policy. It is a world leader in its field and has numerous collaborative links with academia, including University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Imperial College London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, Warwick University, and with other public health agencies, both national and international.

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. These will include:

  • Health economists, mathematical modellers and statisticians within the Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department.
  • Epidemiologists, microbiologists, bioinformaticians, infection control specialists and clinicians throughout UKHSA, particularly the Immunisation Division and Blood Safety, Hepatitis and STIs Division.
  • Academic collaborators in universities (nationally and internationally).
  • Department of Health and Social Care and other policy colleagues.
  • JCVI
  • Medical, scientific and other staff responsible for vaccination

Essential criteria:

  • PhD or PhD-level experience in infectious-disease transmission-dynamic modelling relevant to the role.
  • Extensive relevant research experience with an internationally-recognized track record of gonorrhoea modelling, with a demonstrated understanding of the challenges of the field, and knowledge of current preventive interventions.
  • Significant experience of transmission-dynamic modelling applied to gonorrhoea vaccination, including accounting for various effects / modes of action of a partially-protective vaccine.
  • Experience of modelling the relationship between vaccine trial outcomes and population-level impacts, demonstrating an understanding of the complexities of understanding partially-protective vaccines.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy and methodological rigour in coding, and managing and analysing large and complex data.
  • Strong skills in scientific programming and model development (in R, Python, or C/C++), including experience of parallel programming using HPC / GPUs.
  • Experience working on multi-disciplinary projects which require collaborating with a wide range of health professionals/dealing with multiple stakeholders.
  • Publishing scientific papers reporting primary research relevant to this post, in which the candidate made a leading contribution, in relevant peer-reviewed journals, demonstrated by a publication list.

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience of working with members of communities most affected by gonorrhoea, which the applicant should describe in their application

Selection Process DetailThis vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 8 essential criteria listed in the job advert and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1500-word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Please note only those applications that meet all essential criteria will be progressed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following criteria:

  • PhD or PhD-level experience in infectious-disease transmission-dynamic modelling relevant to the role.
  • Significant experience of transmission-dynamic modelling applied to gonorrhoea vaccination, including accounting for various effects / modes of action of a partially-protective vaccine.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical skills and strengths will be tested at interview.

The behaviours being tested at interview are:

  • Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the bigger picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

You will also be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation. The subject of this will be:

  • Gonorrhoea vaccination modelling

Interviews dates are yet to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Canary Wharf, London.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance LevelRequirement

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post is located in the Modelling and Economics Unit, which is part of the Statistics, Modelling and Economic Department (SMED) of the Modelling Division. The SMED is a dynamic and stimulating group comprising infectious disease modellers, statisticians, and health economists working on diverse projects relating to the burden of infectious disease, disease determinants, and the impact of interventions against infections, both nationally and internationally. The work of the Department is frequently used to inform policy. It is a world leader in its field and has numerous collaborative links with academia, including University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Imperial College London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, Warwick University, and with other public health agencies, both national and international.

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. These will include:

  • Health economists, mathematical modellers and statisticians within the Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department.
  • Epidemiologists, microbiologists, bioinformaticians, infection control specialists and clinicians throughout UKHSA, particularly the Immunisation Division and Blood Safety, Hepatitis and STIs Division.
  • Academic collaborators in universities (nationally and internationally).
  • Department of Health and Social Care and other policy colleagues.
  • JCVI
  • Medical, scientific and other staff responsible for vaccination

Essential criteria:

  • PhD or PhD-level experience in infectious-disease transmission-dynamic modelling relevant to the role.
  • Extensive relevant research experience with an internationally-recognized track record of gonorrhoea modelling, with a demonstrated understanding of the challenges of the field, and knowledge of current preventive interventions.
  • Significant experience of transmission-dynamic modelling applied to gonorrhoea vaccination, including accounting for various effects / modes of action of a partially-protective vaccine.
  • Experience of modelling the relationship between vaccine trial outcomes and population-level impacts, demonstrating an understanding of the complexities of understanding partially-protective vaccines.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy and methodological rigour in coding, and managing and analysing large and complex data.
  • Strong skills in scientific programming and model development (in R, Python, or C/C++), including experience of parallel programming using HPC / GPUs.
  • Experience working on multi-disciplinary projects which require collaborating with a wide range of health professionals/dealing with multiple stakeholders.
  • Publishing scientific papers reporting primary research relevant to this post, in which the candidate made a leading contribution, in relevant peer-reviewed journals, demonstrated by a publication list.

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience of working with members of communities most affected by gonorrhoea, which the applicant should describe in their application

Selection Process DetailThis vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 8 essential criteria listed in the job advert and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1500-word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Please note only those applications that meet all essential criteria will be progressed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following criteria:

  • PhD or PhD-level experience in infectious-disease transmission-dynamic modelling relevant to the role.
  • Significant experience of transmission-dynamic modelling applied to gonorrhoea vaccination, including accounting for various effects / modes of action of a partially-protective vaccine.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical skills and strengths will be tested at interview.

The behaviours being tested at interview are:

  • Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the bigger picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

You will also be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation. The subject of this will be:

  • Gonorrhoea vaccination modelling

Interviews dates are yet to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Canary Wharf, London.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance LevelRequirement

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.

Person Specification

Application form and Supporting Statement

Essential

  • Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the bigger picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

Technical Skills

Essential

  • Presentation
Person Specification

Application form and Supporting Statement

Essential

  • Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the bigger picture
  • Communicating and influencing
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

Technical Skills

Essential

  • Presentation

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).

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.

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

10 South Colonnade

London

E14 4PU


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

10 South Colonnade

London

E14 4PU


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Support

Carmelita Goodwin

Carmelita.Goodwin@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

03 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£58,589 to £68,344 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-CG-307817-EXT

Job locations

10 South Colonnade

London

E14 4PU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)