Scientist (Epidemiology)

Job summary

As part of the multidisciplinary Incidents, Outbreaks and Infection Advice and Guidance (IOIG) team, the primary function of this post is to support epidemiological investigations of infectious disease incidents and outbreaks, coordinate and develop the collation and epidemiological analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMR & HCAI) surveillance data-sets, and to support the strengthening of AMR & HCAI surveillance systems. Under the supervision of senior scientific staff, the post holder will regularly extract, collate and validate surveillance data-sets and carry out epidemiological analyses to monitor trends, geographic distribution and risk factors. They will 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.

Main duties of the job

1. Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems related to the projects to underpin public health action across the department and surveillance systems therein;
2. Have responsibility for the development and productivity of the information and intelligence system(s) related to the projects, including project management;
3. Undertake specialist and complex analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets which will require selection of the best option from a range of possible solutions;
4. Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to inform decision making;
5. Receive, interpret, provide and advise on complex epidemiological and statistical information about the health of populations to the NHS, Department of Health and others;
6. Communicate effectively and diplomatically research and other specialist information with colleagues from own or other disciplines and present findings at local, national and international meetings and conferences;
7. Write and/or contribute to national and local policy setting reports, as well as peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, on the health of the population;
8. Undertake literature reviews, evaluative research surveys, audits and other research as required;
9. Assist in teaching and training courses run at Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Colindale and outside, by producing presentation materials and assist in AMR & HCAI lectures.

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information

Job description

Job responsibilities

Management arrangements

The post holder will:

• Be responsible to the Section Leads in the AMR & HCAI Division through the Principal or Senior Scientist coordinating the projects.
• Manage staff working on work-areas within the AMR & HCAI Division, if required.

Other

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Professional Development

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Key working relationships

• The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;

Internal

• All UKHSA staff involved in the work of the AMR & HCAI Division.

External

• Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• AMR & HCAI Leads in devolved administrations
• NHS England, NHS Improvement, Care Quality Commission (CQC), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other relevant national bodies
• AMR Programmes of Devolved Administrations
• Royal Colleges
• Professional and learned societies
• Data providers (clinicians, nurses, health advisers etc.) to ensure data quality and timely reporting, and internal and external data users.

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience and skills outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 12 essential criteria and 2 desirable criteria and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 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.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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

In order to be shortlisted you must meet all essential criteria and some essential criteria.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on.

• Primary Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or another suitable science subject

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

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a technical assessment at interview stage. (Further details will be provided at the interview stage).

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

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. 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 campuses, 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 Level Requirement .

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.

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-terrorist Check. 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

Essential Criteria 1

Essential

• Primary Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or allied discipline or equivalent experience.

Essential Criteria 2

Essential

• Scientific research work experience, particularly in public health.

Essential Criteria 3

Essential

• Data management, analysis and reporting.

Essential Criteria 4

Essential

• Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data.

Essential Criteria 5

Essential

• Preparing scientific reports and presentations.

Essential Criteria 6

Essential

• Of using computers and database software packages (Microsoft ACCESS and Excel). Including software packages for statistical analysis of data, specifically STATA and/or R.

Essential Criteria 7

Essential

• Able to work as a team member, as well as able to work independently and to deadlines.

Essential Criteria 8

Essential

• Maintain required levels of confidentiality.

Essential Criteria 9

Essential

• Have a clear and organised approach to work with the ability to communicate and document methods clearly and succinctly.

Essential Criteria 10, 11 & 12

Essential

• Able to liaise with a wide range of external collaborators including health service and academic professionals.
• Able to identify and solve problems.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable

• Experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention.
• Experience of project management.

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 .

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.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency
Address

Colindale

61 Colindale Avenue

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer\’s website #J-18808-Ljbffr