Senior Scientist (Epidemiology)

Job description

Job responsibilities

These will include:

Surveillance and Data Analysis Enhanced surveillance and Epidemiological Investigations Statistical and software skills Audit, Quality and Governance Research Management / workforce / HR Teaching / Training Project management

This is not an exhaustive list, and a full Job Description will be given to all successful candidates at interview.

The above is also only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other specialist duties as may reasonably be required.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division. It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Essential Role Criteria

• Educated to degree level in biological/biomedical sciences and population health or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in maintenance/analysis of data)
• MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education
• A Completion of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme or equivalent training and experience
• 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, including for research purposes
• Experience of using epidemiological/statistical software packages
• Knowledge of health/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
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific reporting
• 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
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable Role Criteria

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

Application & Sift

This role is using Competency.

At sift stage you will be assessed against all Essential Criterialisted in this job advertisement.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/Activity history section on the application)
• Up to 1000 word supporting statement

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

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500 - your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 word count.

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

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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through.

Shortlisting: If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead essential criteria will be conducted:

• A Completion of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme or equivalent training and experience

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview stage (Competency based):

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview.

Interview location and dates to be confirmed.

This vacancy is being assessed using a competency-based framework. During the interview we will assess against the below:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills & Abilities

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject will be:

• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance

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

Additional Information

Eligibility Criteria

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

Salary & Contract Information

SEO Inner £46,310 - £52,113

Per annum, pro rata

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.

This contract is until 31st March 2026 but there is a possibility of extension, however, this is not guaranteed.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security required:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

For this role you will also need to meet:

• Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

DBS Requirement:

• Basic DBS

Location

This role is being offered ashybrid working based at our site:Colindale Scientific Campus, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ.

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).

If based at one of our scientific sites you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Presentation: Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance
• Questions on Skills, Knowledge and Experience

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale Scientific Campus

61 Colindale Avenue

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

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