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- Tasks: Collect samples, analyse data, and contribute to impactful public health reports.
- Company: Join a leading team at Porton Down tackling global health challenges.
- Benefits: Hands-on experience, fieldwork opportunities, and a chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of biosurveillance and protect the UK from infectious threats.
- Qualifications: BSc in biological science and experience in disease surveillance required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: On-site at our Porton Down facility
Help protect the UK from emerging infectious threats. Join the Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation Division at Porton, where our teams tackle some of the world’s most important public health challenges. Within the Virology, Pathogenesis & Pathogen Characterisation group, you’ll work at the forefront of surveillance for arboviruses, viral haemorrhagic fevers and other high‑impact zoonotic pathogens. We’re looking for a Biosurveillance Research Scientist to play a hands‑on role in our animal sentinel and vector surveillance programmes — with opportunities to support human serosurveillance too. If you want a role that takes you from the field to the lab to the data dashboard, this is it.
What you’ll do:
- Collect samples in the field and support citizen‑science surveillance.
- Process and test samples using ELISA, RT‑PCR and high‑throughput workflows.
- Maintain biobanks and manage high‑quality datasets.
- Carry out statistical and spatial analyses, including GIS.
- Contribute to reports, presentations and scientific outputs.
- Travel for fieldwork and sampling as needed.
This is a rare chance to be involved in every stage of the biosurveillance pipeline — a varied, meaningful role with real public health impact.
What you’ll bring:
- A BSc in a relevant biological science.
- Experience in vector‑borne disease or zoonosis surveillance.
- Strong data skills: databases, data handling, visualisation and statistics.
- Practical experience with ELISA and RT‑PCR.
- Excellent communication skills, from public engagement to scientific reporting.
- Strong organisation, problem‑solving and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.
- A valid UK driving licence.
Desirable:
- R or other coding experience, and fieldwork involving animals, vectors or ecological studies.
Biosurveillance Research Scientist employer: UK Health Security Agency
Contact Detail:
UK Health Security Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Biosurveillance Research Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the biosurveillance field on LinkedIn or at industry events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and knowledge about current public health challenges. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Whether it’s fieldwork or lab techniques, make sure you highlight your practical skills during interviews. We want to see how you can contribute to our biosurveillance programmes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Porton Down.
We think you need these skills to ace Biosurveillance Research Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in biosurveillance and data handling. We want to see how your skills match the job description, so don’t be shy about showcasing your practical experience with ELISA and RT-PCR!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about public health and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team at Porton. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Show Off Your Data Skills: Since strong data skills are key for this role, make sure to mention any experience you have with databases, visualisation, and statistics. If you’ve worked with GIS or coding in R, let us know – it could give you an edge!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Health Security Agency
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your knowledge of vector-borne diseases and zoonosis surveillance. Be ready to discuss your practical experience with ELISA and RT-PCR, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on. This shows you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it in real-world scenarios.
✨Data Skills are Key
Since strong data skills are crucial for this role, prepare to talk about your experience with databases, data handling, and statistical analyses. Bring examples of how you've visualised data or used GIS in past projects to demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Fieldwork Experience Matters
If you have fieldwork experience, especially involving animals or ecological studies, make sure to highlight it. Share specific stories about your fieldwork challenges and how you overcame them, as this will show your adaptability and problem-solving skills.
✨Communication is Crucial
This role requires excellent communication skills, so be prepared to discuss how you've engaged with the public or contributed to scientific reports. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this will showcase your ability to communicate effectively across different audiences.