Field Epidemiology Training Programme Fellow

The UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme (UKFETP) is a full-time competency-based 2-year specialist postgraduate training programme aimed at medical, scientific, veterinary or nursing staff who are, or will be working, in a post involving field investigation and epidemiology and who want to further enhance their specialist skills. Training is provided on the job, but at least ten percent of time is dedicated to sequentially delivered formal training courses based for the most part in the UK. Funding is not available to extend training contracts beyond 2 years except in statutory circumstances.

Fellows will be based in one UKFETP training location within England, Northern Ireland or Wales for the two-year Fellowship. The training locations include national centres, UKSHA Field Service teams and Health Protection Teams. Fellows will have the opportunity to join the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team.

Main duties of the job:

• Identify clusters of illness/cases or respond to a report of a potential incident or outbreak: conduct risk assessment and establish what level of control or investigation is necessary.
• Be a member of outbreak or incident control committees.
• Lead and manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the field supervisor, by:

• Describing the cases in terms of time, place and person;
• Generating hypotheses;
• Writing an investigation protocol if an analytical study is considered appropriate;
• Identifying the data required, and developing tools for data collection;
• Developing a plan for data analysis;
• Designing or adapting previously developed outbreak databases;
• Coordinating and advising interviewing teams where necessary;
• Interviewing clinicians and/or patients in order to collect clinical and risk factor data;
• Overseeing data entry and ensuring data quality, integrity and data protection aspects of outbreak databases;
• Collating and interpreting epidemiological and microbiological data potentially drawn from a variety of sources;
• Conducting complex statistical analyses of outbreak datasets;
• Interpreting and communicating the results of statistical analyses for government agencies, health protection units and environmental health departments;
• Writing progress reports and briefings;
• Presenting epidemiological data to outbreak control teams.

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.

Job responsibilities:

• Develop a protocol for and/or implement a new surveillance system, or undertake evaluation of an existing surveillance system.
• Contribute to the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of surveillance databases.
• Contribute to the conduct of routine analyses of surveillance datasets for standardised outputs and straightforward ad hoc enquiries.
• Contribute to the production of standard reports and publications.

Research:

• Identify a problem of public health importance through literature review, public health reports or surveillance data analysis.
• Provide background data for the development of research proposals under the guidance of the field supervisor.
• Develop a detailed study protocol including identifying and specifying the study objectives, question, design, population, sample strategy, data collection tools, plan of analysis and communication of the results through a report or peer-reviewed publication.
• Apply for ethical approval as required.

Publications and Presentations:

• Contribute to the production of departmental outputs.
• Write and/or contribute to scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Assist others to clarify thinking, and mentor peers or colleagues in the development of manuscripts.

Teaching and Training:

• Identify the learning needs of a defined group of individuals.
• Contribute to the planning, organisation and evaluation of a training activity.
• Develop and deliver training for example lectures, interactive training sessions, case studies on epidemiology and surveillance for internal training courses, university postgraduate courses and professional development training programmes.

Please refer to the Job Description for full list of duties. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the training programme. It should be noted that the work of the UKHSA is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Fellows will usually be required to relocate for the period of training. Fellows will be willing and able to travel, be expected to attend all training modules, require a Disclosure Barring Check (DBS), and be willing and able to work out of hours as and when required.

Completion of specialist training competencies, other than those to be gained through the UKFETP, would normally be expected to be completed before entry to the UKFETP i.e. Faculty of Public Health training competencies. Alternatively, there should be sufficient time after the UKFETP to complete all specialist training competencies. A letter of support from the relevant Training Programme Director will be required.

Applicants are strongly advised to read the instructions on how to complete the application and use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

For further details relating to this post, please refer to the UKHSA website on: Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP).

For an informal discussion, please contact the UKFETP office at fetp@ukhsa.gov.uk. Additionally, a Q&A live event will be held on Friday 12th December at 11am, during which information about the FETP and the application process will be provided with an opportunity to ask any questions. Participation in this meeting will be anonymous.

Successful applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start date (10th September 2026). The UKFETP cannot provide sponsorship.

Other Information:

• Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
• Applicants are strongly advised to read the application stage information and review the person specification incorporating this into their application to enhance their chances of being selected.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of an Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) up to 1500 word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. The Application Form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Because we will receive a large number of applications, we will conduct longlisting against the following criteria:

• Masters degree or PhD in a scientific discipline with a significant health (human or animal), public health, epidemiology or data analysis component OR a minimum of four years supervised experience in Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Protection with evidence of publication at the time of application.
• Demonstrable experience of working within Public Health, Health Protection or epidemiology for at least 18 months by the date of application deadline.
• For Public Health Specialist registrars ONLY Completion of exams required as part of specialist training, e.g., passed both DFPH (formerly Part A) and MFPH (formerly Part B) exams of the Faculty of Public Health examination.
• Able to make sense of complex information and imperfect data to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Be able to demonstrate a keen interest in applied epidemiology, such as evidenced by career progression and/or CPD to date.

Please cover the above criteria in the first paragraph within the supporting statement and use a maximum of 250 words. Try to be succinct but accurate, further detail can be covered in the Employer activity duties & responsibilities section or the remainder of the supporting information section.

We will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Only applications which meet all essential criteria will progress to sift

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Shortlisting:

Longlisted applications will then be shortlisted against all criteria (including desirable) listed in the job description. Highest scoring candidates will be invited for interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

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

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

Invitations to interview will be sent out at the end of April 2026. You will be asked to prepare an analysis report and verbally present your findings. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview. Successful candidates will begin the programme on 10th September 2026. Interviews will be held in central London between 19th - 21st May 2026. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Hybrid:

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our scientific campus/office in various UKHSA offices, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland and Public Health Wales. 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 co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). If based at one of our scientific campus, 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) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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.

Security Clearance:

Successful candidates for this role must pass an enhanced disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Salary Information:

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.

UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer.

Person Specification:

• Masters' degree or PhD in a scientific discipline with a significant health (human or animal), public health, epidemiology or data analysis component OR a minimum of four years supervised experience in Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Protection with evidence of publication at the time of application.
• For Public Health Specialist registrars ONLY Completion of exams required as part of specialist training, e.g., passed both DFPH (formerly Part A) and MFPH (formerly Part B) exams of the Faculty of Public Health examination.
• For applicants without a masters' degree: Two first author peer-reviewed publications on an epidemiological/health protection topic.
• Demonstrable experience of working within Public Health, Health Protection or epidemiology for at least 18 months by the date of application deadline. Time spent in education including PhD studies does not contribute to this time.
• Experience of managing data, undertaking basic analysis and presenting information in reports and presentations.
• Experience of interpreting and evaluating data in response to an evolving situation or incident response.
• Experience of audit/evaluation or research activities.

Skills, Capabilities and Behaviours:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Be able to demonstrate a keen interest in applied epidemiology, such as evidenced by career progression and/or CPD to date.
• Be able to demonstrate how the UKFETP will be of benefit to them and their career path.
• Be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for being in a learner role and receiving supervision and feedback.
• Able to make sense of complex information and imperfect data to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Able to undertake statistical analysis of epidemiological or health datasets.

Equality and Diversity:

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

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.

Various UKHSA Offices, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, Public Health Wales

£41,983 to £73,992 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 24 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 919-HM-62381455-EXT

Job locations: Various UKHSA Offices, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, Public Health Wales