Senior Infectious Disease Modeller

Overview

These posts sit within the Infectious Disease Modelling team, Modelling Division, Analysis and Intelligence Assessment Directorate of UKHSA. The team develops vector-borne disease models to provide scientific support in infectious disease modelling to the epidemiological investigation of climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases. We work closely with the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) team within UKHSA\’s Centre for Climate and Health Security, as well as external academic partners, to inform the agency\’s efforts to anticipate and prevent vector-borne threats to health.

This campaign aims to recruit two Senior Infectious Disease Modellers to work primarily on vector-borne disease modelling, with potential to support other work programmes if business needs require. The post holders will lead and contribute to modelling projects relating to the distribution and abundance of vectors (e.g. ticks, mosquitoes) and pathogens that pose a risk to human health. Recent projects undertaken by the team in the vector-borne disease space include modelling the extrinsic incubation period (EIP) of West Nile Virus in Culex pipiens mosquitoes using Bayesian time-delay models and the development of vector species distribution models using ensemble methods. The post holders will participate in epidemiological modelling, public health scientific analyses, writing reports on specific projects, presenting analyses, regular and ad hoc commissions and publications.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development of vector borne disease models related to the human health risks associated with vector borne disease, the environment and climate
• Adapting and extend existing models (written in, for e.g., R) where necessary
• Giving presentations within UKHSA and with partners at national and international meetings, as appropriate
• Preparation of papers for peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Participation in quality assurance of work, both reviewing teammates\’ code and work, and asking for appropriate review of own work
• Contributing to the whole lifecycle of research, such as designing and performing hypothesis testing, undertaking literature reviews, compiling datasets and writing reports and papers
• Supporting the development of data science capability within the agency
• Supervising interns on placement within the team
• Engaging with partners in wider government, academia, and the private sector to develop models and gain access to new data sources and information
• Supporting work elsewhere in the Infectious Disease Modelling team as business needs require
• Championing data science, sharing an understanding of the role and benefits of data science within the agency with others, and understanding of a range of data science techniques and their respective ethical considerations

Qualifications

• An undergraduate or master\’s degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g. mathematics, statistics, biosciences or data science) or equivalent significant work experience in modelling and applied statistics
• Experience of developing and calibrating species distribution models and/or estimating epidemiological characteristics of vector-borne pathogens
• Experience of building and validating numerical mathematical/statistical models
• Experience in spatial modelling
• Experience in working with environmental data (e.g. from remote sensing or weather stations)
• Experience and knowledge of modelling vector-borne diseases
• Experience of coding in R or Python
• Experience of working collaboratively using Git version control software
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience in presenting complex analysis or scientific results in the form of presentations and scientific writing
• Experience of working collaboratively as part of an analytical team
• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage own work projects and carry out research tasks independently
• Experience of working with complex datasets and drawing relevant conclusions
• Experience of working at pace to deadlines across multiple projects, being flexible and adaptable to change
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders to source data, enhance analysis or set requirements
• Due to the fast-moving nature of the work, the post holders will be expected to be able to work well independently. The posts offer superb development opportunities and the chance to gain exposure across a broad range of policy areas and with senior officials at the heart of decision making in government.
• Managing own programme of work and to use considerable initiative and independence

Desirable criteria

• Further details may be assessed in the event of a high number of successful candidates.

Hybrid working and location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate a hybrid working model where business needs allow. 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) at one of UKHSA\’s core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton).

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).

Salary and benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,661, UK Health Security Agency contributes £11,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. We offer learning and development tailored to your role, flexible working options, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Additional information

Reasonable adjustments during recruitment: The Civil Service is committed to fair recruitment and will consider reasonable adjustments. 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. Security and eligibility: Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check. Nationality requirements are listed in the job advert. Stage process: Shortlisted applicants will undergo an initial sift against lead criterion and a panel interview including a technical skills test and a 5–10 minute presentation on a technical project you have led. Details of the assessment will be provided if you are progressed to interview. Stage dates are subject to change. This vacancy may involve future relocation to a national biosecurity centre site as part of long-term strategic plans.