The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods.
We provide scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public’s health and build the nation’s health security capability.
UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Job overview
The Acute Respiratory Infections team is located within UKHSA’s TARZET division. The remit of the team includes providing specialist epidemiology and surveillance, coordinating the investigation of national outbreaks, advising government on the risks posed by various acute respiratory pathogens and responding to international health concerns.
The postholder will be a member of a team working on the surveillance, epidemiology and investigation of acute respiratory infections. Functions of the team include development of analysis and reporting functions for the mSCAPE programme to use metagenomic data for public health surveillance; development of new and reactive analysis methods for emerging pathogens and supporting the investigation and management of major national outbreaks, and collaborative working with epidemiology, modelling and academic partners.
They will also work in an integrated way with other teams, such as the Genomics Public Health Analysis team (GPHA), in the TARZET division within the Emerging and Epidemic Infections Directorate.
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- The post is within the metagenomics surveillance section of the Acute Respiratory Infections team. The primary function of this post is to coordinate and develop the collation and epidemiological analysis of acute respiratory infection surveillance datasets derived from metagenomic sequencing.
- The post holder will regularly conduct epidemiological analyses to monitor trends, geographic distribution and risk factors and supervise junior scientific staff to collate, manage and validate surveillance datasets. They will lead on and contribute to the delivery of surveillance and policy reports and to peer-reviewed publications.
- The post-holder will adopt a variety of public health and surveillance portfolios, develop and implement standardised data collection and analysis protocols, will identify data quality issues and will facilitate their resolution. They will ensure that data are collected and processed in accordance with relevant policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and will undertake regular assessments of data quality and completeness.
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Working for our organisation
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. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Surveillance
- Develop, manage and maintain the mSCAPE pathogen surveillance databases.
- Manage existing national surveillance systems and co-ordinate the development of new metagenomic surveillance systems for acute respiratory and to supervise and advise junior scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance and development of integrated or enhanced surveillance datasets.
- Conduct complex statistical analyses of metagenomic and other pathogen data, as required, drawn from a variety of surveillance sources.
- Advise scientific and administrative staff conducting routine analyses of surveillance datasets for standardised outputs and ad hoc enquiries.
- Supervise junior scientific colleagues and the administrative team in the production of surveillance reports and publications.
- Help coordinate the activities of scientists in partner institutes involved in collaborative surveillance programmes.
- Provide technical advice and assistance to public health practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of surveillance databases.
- Develop methodologies to ensure emerging threats are recognized in a timely manner by the analysis and interpretation of often complex data from a variety of sources to understand the public health significance of the potential risk.
Outbreak Investigation
Manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the epidemiology lead, by:
- Liaising with relevant specialists to collect epidemiological data
- Coordinating and advising incident teams
- Overseeing data entry and ensuring quality control of databases
- Collating and interpreting genome-derived epidemiological and microbiological data drawn from a variety of sources
- Providing statistical and phylogenetic analyses for government agencies, health protection units and environmental health departments
- Writing briefing notes and situation reports
- Presenting epidemiological data to Incident Management Teams
- Contributing to the production of outbreak reports and subsequent publications
Research
- Contribute to the development of research proposals
- Coordinate the collection and collation of data from collaborators based in specialist laboratories and other institutions throughout the UK.
- Conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological and microbiological data for grant funded research projects and UKHSA programmes.
- Provide complex statistical analyses of metagenomics surveillance/research datasets to academic units and other agencies involved in collaborative epidemiological, microbiological and veterinary research studies under the guidance of the project leader.
- Contribute to the process of writing scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and project reports to funding bodies.
Publications and presentations
- Write or contribute to the drafting of scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and detailed reports for UKHSA or Government departments.
- Supervise scientific and administrative staff in the production of departmental web outputs
- Present epidemiological findings at national and international meetings and conferences.
Teaching and Training
- Develop and present lectures and teaching materials on the epidemiology and surveillance of acute respiratory infections for UKHSA, university postgraduate and professional development training programmes.
- Contribute to the training for new members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of acute respiratory infections.
- Line management of junior scientific staff.
This list is not exhaustive
Essential Criteria
- Degree in a life science, data science, or related discipline, with postgraduate study or experience in public health, genomic epidemiology, microbial genomics, or a related field.
- Experience interpreting, analysing, and evaluating genomic and epidemiological data using tools such as R or Python.
- Ability to analyse, synthesise, and interpret complex information from multiple and sometimes conflicting sources to support decision-making.
- Strong scientific writing skills, including preparation of scientific publications, technical reports, and project documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas and methods clearly to a range of audiences.
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities, solving practical problems, and delivering work to agreed deadlines.
- Demonstrated sound judgement, including the ability to make informed decisions from incomplete information, alongside a commitment to equality, inclusion, and positive working relationships.
Desirable Criteria
- Statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets.
- Experience of managing technical aspects of outbreak investigation.
- Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics analytical approaches.
- Knowledge of metagenomics.
- Having a thorough understanding of recent advances in the epidemiology and microbiology of respiratory infections and presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences.
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders and an ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific specialists.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7essential 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 you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
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 C.V –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 us your CV.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1500 words. We will not consider any words over 1500words.
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 used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
- Degree in a life science, data science, or related discipline, with postgraduate study or experience in public health, genomic epidemiology, microbial genomics, or a related field.
- Experience interpreting, analysing, and evaluating genomic and epidemiological data using tools such as R or Python.
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.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Technical skills will be tested at interview in the form of questions and a presentation.
There will be a 5-minute presentation on metagenomic data analysis.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Lead behaviour - Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
Interview dates are 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.
Eligibility Criteria
External - This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in Canary Wharf, London. 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) working at our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic 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 Baseline 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. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
If you experience technical difficulties when using Trac, please contact Support via https://apps.trac.jobs/support and provide screenshots/details of the issue encountered. If Trac cannot resolve your issue, you should notify the UKHSA Recruitment Team at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Please note that where no technical issue has been recorded by Trac, and no supporting evidence has been provided before the closing deadline, we will be unable to accept late applications. We therefore recommend submitting applications well in advance of the closing date and taking screenshots of any issues encountered.
Qualifications and Registrations
For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day‑to‑day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday - Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police Check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Security Vetting
Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.
The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.
Agenda for Change roles -NHS Pension
For roles offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions (and if you are eligible)
• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing, substantive T&Cs.
• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.
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