Senior Infectious Disease Modeller

Job description

Job responsibilities

Continued from above:

• Provide: management and supervision of staff (post-doctoral and PhD students) as required, scientific advice and supervision to Modelling and Evaluations Unit members, and to be responsible for the scientific development of staff
• Promote team compliance with security, confidentiality and release of information corporate policies
• Disseminate research through peer-reviewed scientific publication and presentation at (inter)national conferences and meetings
• Communicate with colleagues at all levels, often negotiating with internal and external colleagues

The post-holder will lead development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and healthcare associated infection (HCAI) models within multiple modelling and statistical research projects. The post holder will be expected to design, conduct and manage such projects, involving sophisticated analysis of epidemiological and healthcare data to further our knowledge of the epidemiology and control of AMR & HCAI in the short and long term. The models will be used to inform policy-making.

Emphasis will be placed on innovative research and methodological development required to gain insight from increasing availability of patient, clinical, surveillance and economic data, to identify and rigorously evaluate solutions in the field of AMR and HCAI. This post will require oversight and leadership of a number of high-profile AMR & HCAI projects to provide practical and clinically relevant insights to directly inform national policy.

The post requires significant project management skills necessary to lead multiple collaborative projects and is likely to involve line management as well as supervision of other modellers within the team.

The Modelling and Evaluations Unit sits within the AMR and HCAI Division, (in the Chief Medical Advisors Group) of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and evidence-based interventions.

Essential Criteria

• Primary degree in science/maths/statistics AND PhD in relevant subject ORRelevant Masters Degree with research experience
• Extensive relevant research and significant mathematical modelling experience or knowledge and experience in advanced statistical analysis
• Experience in collating, managing and analysing large and complex data, from multiple sources and modelling applied to infectious diseases and evidence of ability in methodological development of models
• Strong skills in scientific programming (e.g. in Python, or R)
• Experience working on multi-disciplinary projects which require collaborating with a wide range of health professionals/dealing with multiple stakeholders and evidence of ability to successfully support / supervise junior staff / PhD students
• Publishing scientific papers reporting primary research (not literature reviews) relevant to this post
• Work with both with considerable initiative and independence and as a team member (in a multidisciplinary team) and demonstrate good interpersonal skills
• Communication of complex ideas and methods clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences with differing technical backgrounds
• Able to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and methodological rigour as appropriate including the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems
• Demonstrated capability to plan own work programme

Desirable Criteria

• Detailed and current knowledge of a range of modelling methods and analytical techniques relevant to models of infectious disease transmission and control
• Experience in research grant writing and application to funding agencies ie. NIHR, BSAC, HIS etc.

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 essential criteria, 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, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

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

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

If longlisting is used, the pile 'meets all essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may complete an initial sift on the lead criteria of:

• Extensive relevant research and significant mathematical modelling experience or knowledge and experience in advanced statistical analysis

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.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency-based

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

There will be a 5 minute presentation- details will be sent to those candidates successful at securing an interview.

Interview dates 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.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria

External:Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). LocationThis role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in London (Canary Wharf). 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, averagedover a month) based at our core HQ in London (Canary Wharf).

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 suchas the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

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.

Salary Information

Please note: If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Interview

Essential

• Questions on knowledge, experience, skills and ability.

Interview

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQ

London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU

Employer's website

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