Epidemiology and Information Scientist

The Science, Strategy and Evidence Directorate leads on the development and strengthening of evaluation, epidemiological methods and behavioural sciences including research methods and evaluation of interventions for UKHSA.

The Directorate provides expert support in ethics and research governance and ensures UKHSA has access to essential scientific evidence.

It also implements and monitors UKHSA's Science Strategy.

The Evaluation & Epidemiological Sciences (EES) Division delivers core functions across UKHSA aligned to the following areas:

Main Duties

• Identify evaluation and epidemiology science priorities which are focused on scientific, research or public health needs & co-ordinate activities to address those
• Lead and collaborate on responsive and high impact evaluations
• Provide a rapid evaluation and epidemiology science advice function to support standard & enhanced response Incident Management Teams (IMTs) as appropriate
• Provide evaluation & epidemiology science advice to the Centres for Climate and Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness
• Establish strategic links with key internal & external stakeholders including the Evaluation and Behavioural Science HPRU leading to delivery of joint priorities and external funding applications for discrete activities
• Support the translation of scientific evidence into policy and practice as appropriate, working closely with the Behavioural Science & Insights Division and the Research Management & Knowledge Division.
• Epidemiological Investigations.

Where appropriate, undertake specific steps of an epidemiological study under direction including to design and develop questionnaires e. g. using Select Survey, design and administer databases, prepare descriptive epidemiology, contribute to the production of scientific reports, and interview cases and controls.

• Data & Epidemiological Analyses.

Maintain and improve databases, test functionality of new systems, validate the quality of data including use of automated routines and through audit and produce and update Standard Operating Procedures.

Have knowledge of, apply and interpret basic statistical tests, conduct statistical analyses of surveillance data, produce reports and outputs using common statistical/database/mapping tools such as Stata, R, Arc GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc, respond to routine and more complex data requests and produce routine surveillance reports, including basic descriptive analysis and interpretation of results.

Contribute to evaluation and epidemiological science activities through assuring data quality, undertaking complex data analyses and seeking to improve and enhance databases and systems.

Produce routine reports that include basic descriptive analyses and interpretation.

Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support analysis such as advanced querying, data validation and pivot tables.

• Research.

Support research through contribution to scientific papers and projects on public health surveillance, incidents and other activities as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings.

Design a study database, and develop queries to analyse data, create automated reports, import/export data from a variety of sources, participate in the interpretation and analysis of research findings and the application of findings to practice and present internally or to local partners, present work/posters at scientific meetings and conferences.

• Management and Leadership.

To act as role model adhering to team professional standards, actively engage in meetings, identify potential problems and seek to resolve and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, on behalf of the Division as a whole.

Support the development of policies and protocols for use within the Division.

Contribute to specified quality improvement and governance initiatives as agreed.

Support/lead projects and support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager.

Learn and maintain up-to-date scientific knowledge regarding epidemiology, surveillance and relevant public health interventions and contribute to the supervision and training colleagues and others as requested.

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.

• Quality and governance.

Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and identify data quality issues through audit and ensure analysis and outputs are clearly presented in an appropriate context.

• Personal and Professional Development
• The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.

Attending internal / external training events.

• To participate in all mandatory training as required.
• Longlisting
• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria
• Shortlisting
• Educated to degree level in Public Health, Information Science , with a Master's qualification in public health or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of epidemiological investigation, surveillance principles, and public health data management, including data quality, security, transmission, analysis, and reporting.

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

Security clearance level requirement: Part 1 Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2 Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

If you based at one of our Core HQs, the level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

If you are based at our Porton Down Scientific Campus, the level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

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 to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.

UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Hybrid Working This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf) or our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.

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) on site.

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from co location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Desirable Criteria

• Training or experience in validating data including automated routines
• Knowledge of health and social care environment, and an awareness of surveillance and epidemiology and information flows in the NHS and allied services
• Line management experience including appraising staff and managing performance
• Proven scientific report writing skills
• Strong analytical skills with experience applying descriptive epidemiology, basic statistical methods with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proficient in the use of epidemiological, statistical, database, and mapping software packages, including tools such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, or similar platforms.
• Sound understanding of information governance requirements, including data protection and confidentiality
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders
• Strong organisational, prioritisation, and time management skills, with the ability to work independently, and demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• 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.

Employer Statement 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.

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