Job summary
The Screening Division of Public Health Wales is recruiting to the role of Principal Public Health Data Scientist. This is an exciting role in which the post-holder will apply data science and analytical tools, techniques and methods to support research and service evaluation within the division to improve population-screening-related outcomes.
The Screening Division delivers seven national population-based screening programmes in Wales (bowel cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, abdominal aortic aneurysm, diabetic eye, newborn hearing, and newborn bloodspot) and manages the Antenatal Screening Wales clinical network. It is also currently scoping the delivery of a targeted lung cancer screening programme. As a result, the post-holder could work across several different health areas.
The Principle Public Health Data Scientist will have advanced SQL server and programming skills as well as advanced R or Python skills. These will be used to work with our existing datasets, create linkages to new sources of data, and undertake analysis to develop insights into screening. In addition, the post-holder will be the initial point of contact for screening research and evaluation support and advice for staff and external partners.
For further details or to arrange an informal discussion please contact Todd Smith, Consultant in Public Health (todd.smith2@wales.nhs.uk)
Main duties of the job
The postholder will have a senior role in leading research and service evaluation within the screening division. Using strong data science skills and passion for innovation and improvement to lead, scope, shape and deliver various data science and analytical screening research and service evaluation projects with impact. This may include:
Using data analysis and techniques and predictive analytics to develop and communicate insights into screening.
Exploring and linking to alternative data sources to create public health insights.
Preparing datasets for analysis within Public Health Wales or by external partners.
Ensuring divisional adherence to appropriate research and evaluation governance and ethics standards.
Developing data visualisations
Line managing a public health researcher in the division.
Training staff, supervising or mentoring junior staff, and demonstrating specific tasks or work as required of others.
Acting as the initial point of screening research and service evaluation support and advice for Public Health Wales staff and external partners, including screening data availability, access/transfer, quality, analysis, and interpretation.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is 'working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives. With our partners, we aim to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
Qualifications
Essential
Masters degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.
Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
PhD or equivalent experience with a strong component relevant to data science
Experience
Essential criteria
Proven experience of leading the delivery of timely, innovative data science projects with impact, to meet user needs
Recent or in-depth experience of working with project management frameworks, leading a multi-disciplinary team, across the whole project lifecycle
Effective verbal and written communication of complex data science and analytical issues and results to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders
Experience of identifying, developing and delivering data science coaching, mentoring and / or training
Working effectively across organisational and professional boundaries
Proven experience of line management and staff development
Experience of developing delivery plans, establishing work priorities, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback
Able to develop partnerships across Organisations and drive collaboration between people to achieve desired outcomes.
Experience of handling patient-identifiable data and information management, including authorising the release of data
Desirable criteria
Experience of Agile delivery management
Experience of working with healthcare data and IT systems, particularly NHS and screening data.
Experience of working with screening programmes.
Five or more years of experience of data management and analysis
Health sciences background
Skills
Essential criteria
Evidence of advanced R or Python skills, including good coding, documentation, and versioning practice.
Evidence of advanced data analytics and statistical skills (for example, machine learning, natural language processing, supervised and unsupervised learning, econometrics and regression, causal inference) deployed to deliver data products with impact
Advanced SQL server and programming skills
Advanced skills in data management/linkage/engineering, for example manipulation and analysis of complex, high volume, high dimensionality data; relational and non-relational databases; SQL / noSQL databases; data linkage; structured and unstructured data; management and analysis of big data.
Can produce appropriate and compelling data visualisations, excellent written and oral communication skills
Can identify and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges to meet user requirements
Desirable criteria
Evidence of ability to meet tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
Working on cloud platforms, particularly Azure
Use of Git / GitHub or similar
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Specialist knowledge of data science methods
Understand and comply with legal and ethical requirements for data privacy, security and confidentiality, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Caldicott principles.
In-depth knowledge and practical experience of research and evaluation governance and methodology
Desirable criteria
Knowledge of public health challenges
Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, or other equivalent quality frameworks.
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
Flexible approach and commitment to applying skills in support of clinical/scientific priorities
Conscientious and proven team worker with the ability to engage with people at all levels
Able to multi-task in a fluid environment, able to prioritise, plan and manage workload, managing complex and multiple pieces of work/projects
Able to lead and to support team members, especially when they are placed under pressure
Ability to work on own initiative.
Good time-keeping.
Respect confidentiality.
Willingness to learn and develop skills.
Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to stakeholders.
Desirable criteria
Ability to work in challenging or difficult circumstances
Ability to speak Welsh
Other
Essential criteria
Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels
Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skills
Prepared to travel
Job description
Job responsibilities
Qualifications
Essential
Masters degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.
Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable criteria
PhD or equivalent experience with a strong component relevant to data science
Experience
Essential criteria
Proven experience of leading the delivery of timely, innovative data science projects with impact, to meet user needs
Recent or in-depth experience of working with project management frameworks, leading a multi-disciplinary team, across the whole project lifecycle
Effective verbal and written communication of complex data science and analytical issues and results to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders
Experience of identifying, developing and delivering data science coaching, mentoring and / or training
Working effectively across organisational and professional boundaries
Proven experience of line management and staff development
Experience of developing delivery plans, establishing work priorities, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback
Able to develop partnerships across Organisations and drive collaboration between people to achieve desired outcomes.
Experience of handling patient-identifiable data and information management, including authorising the release of data
Desirable criteria
Experience of Agile delivery management
Experience of working with healthcare data and IT systems, particularly NHS and screening data.
Experience of working with screening programmes.
Five or more years of experience of data management and analysis
Health sciences background
Skills
Essential criteria
Evidence of advanced R or Python skills, including good coding, documentation, and versioning practice.
Evidence of advanced data analytics and statistical skills (for example, machine learning, natural language processing, supervised and unsupervised learning, econometrics and regression, causal inference) deployed to deliver data products with impact
Advanced SQL server and programming skills
Advanced skills in data management/linkage/engineering, for example manipulation and analysis of complex, high volume, high dimensionality data; relational and non-relational databases; SQL / noSQL databases; data linkage; structured and unstructured data; management and analysis of big data.
Can produce appropriate and compelling data visualisations, excellent written and oral communication skills
Can identify and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges to meet user requirements
Desirable criteria
Evidence of ability to meet tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
Working on cloud platforms, particularly Azure
Use of Git / GitHub or similar
Knowledge
Essential criteria
Specialist knowledge of data science methods
Understand and comply with legal and ethical requirements for data privacy, security and confidentiality, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Caldicott principles.
In-depth knowledge and practical experience of research and evaluation governance and methodology
Desirable criteria
Knowledge of public health challenges
Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, or other equivalent quality frameworks.
Personal attributes
Essential criteria
Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
Flexible approach and commitment to applying skills in support of clinical/scientific priorities
Conscientious and proven team worker with the ability to engage with people at all levels
Able to multi-task in a fluid environment, able to prioritise, plan and manage workload, managing complex and multiple pieces of work/projects
Able to lead and to support team members, especially when they are placed under pressure
Ability to work on own initiative.
Good time-keeping.
Respect confidentiality.
Willingness to learn and develop skills.
Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to stakeholders.
Desirable criteria
Ability to work in challenging or difficult circumstances
Ability to speak Welsh
Other
Essential criteria
Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels
Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skills
Prepared to travel
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A Master's degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- PhD or equivalent experience with a strong component relevant to data science
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of leading the delivery of timely, innovative data science projects with impact, to meet user needs
- Recent or in-depth experience of working with project management frameworks, leading a multi-disciplinary team, across the whole project lifecycle
- Effective verbal and written communication of complex data science and analytical issues and results and issues to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders
- Experience of identifying, developing and delivering data science coaching, mentoring and / or training
- Working effectively across organisational and professional boundaries
- Proven experience of line management and staff development
- Experience of developing delivery plans, establishing work priorities, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback
- Able to develop partnerships across Organisations and drive collaboration between people to achieve desired outcomes.
- Experience of handling patient-identifiable data and information management, including authorising the release of data
Desirable
- Experience of Agile delivery management
- Experience of working with healthcare data and IT systems, particularly NHS and screening data.
- Experience of working with screening programmes.
- Five or more years of experience of data management and analysis
- Health sciences background
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of advanced R or Python skills, including good coding, documentation, and versioning practice.
- Evidence of advanced data analytics and statistical skills (for example, machine learning, natural language processing, supervised and unsupervised learning, econometrics and regression, causal inference) deployed to deliver data products with impact
- Advanced SQL server and programming skills
- Advanced skills in data management/linkage/engineering, for example manipulation and analysis of complex, high volume, high dimensionality data; relational and non-relational databases; SQL / noSQL databases; data linkage; structured and unstructured data; management and analysis of big data.
- Can produce appropriate and compelling data visualisations, excellent written and oral communication skills
- Can identify and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges to meet user requirements
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to meet tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
- Working on cloud platforms, particularly Azure
- Use of Git / GitHub or similar
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of data science methods
- Understand and comply with legal and ethical requirements for data privacy, security and confidentiality, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Caldicott principles
- In-depth knowledge and practical experience of research and evaluation governance and methodology
Desirable
- Knowledge of public health challenges
- Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics or other equivalent quality frameworks
Personal Attributes (Demonstrable)
Essential
- Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
- Flexible approach and commitment to applying skills in support of clinical/scientific priorities
- Conscientious and proven team worker with the ability to engage with people at all levels
- Able to multi-task in a fluid environment, able to prioritise, plan and manage workload, managing complex and multiple pieces of work/projects
- Able to lead and to support team members, especially when they are placed under pressure
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Good time-keeping.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Willingness to learn and develop skills.
- Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to stakeholders.
Desirable
- Ability to work in challenging or difficult circumstances
- Ability to speak Welsh
Other (Please Specify)
Essential
- Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels
- Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skills
- Prepared to travel
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A Master's degree, or equivalent experience, that includes components related to data science, computer science, or software engineering. This might include, but is not limited to, the following subjects: mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science, geo-spatial science, physics, economics, econometrics, chemistry, biology, and ecology.
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- PhD or equivalent experience with a strong component relevant to data science
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of leading the delivery of timely, innovative data science projects with impact, to meet user needs
- Recent or in-depth experience of working with project management frameworks, leading a multi-disciplinary team, across the whole project lifecycle
- Effective verbal and written communication of complex data science and analytical issues and results and issues to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders
- Experience of identifying, developing and delivering data science coaching, mentoring and / or training
- Working effectively across organisational and professional boundaries
- Proven experience of line management and staff development
- Experience of developing delivery plans, establishing work priorities, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, monitoring performance and giving feedback
- Able to develop partnerships across Organisations and drive collaboration between people to achieve desired outcomes.
- Experience of handling patient-identifiable data and information management, including authorising the release of data
Desirable
- Experience of Agile delivery management
- Experience of working with healthcare data and IT systems, particularly NHS and screening data.
- Experience of working with screening programmes.
- Five or more years of experience of data management and analysis
- Health sciences background
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of advanced R or Python skills, including good coding, documentation, and versioning practice.
- Evidence of advanced data analytics and statistical skills (for example, machine learning, natural language processing, supervised and unsupervised learning, econometrics and regression, causal inference) deployed to deliver data products with impact
- Advanced SQL server and programming skills
- Advanced skills in data management/linkage/engineering, for example manipulation and analysis of complex, high volume, high dimensionality data; relational and non-relational databases; SQL / noSQL databases; data linkage; structured and unstructured data; management and analysis of big data.
- Can produce appropriate and compelling data visualisations, excellent written and oral communication skills
- Can identify and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges to meet user requirements
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to meet tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
- Working on cloud platforms, particularly Azure
- Use of Git / GitHub or similar
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of data science methods
- Understand and comply with legal and ethical requirements for data privacy, security and confidentiality, such as the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Caldicott principles
- In-depth knowledge and practical experience of research and evaluation governance and methodology
Desirable
- Knowledge of public health challenges
- Knowledge of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics or other equivalent quality frameworks
Personal Attributes (Demonstrable)
Essential
- Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
- Flexible approach and commitment to applying skills in support of clinical/scientific priorities
- Conscientious and proven team worker with the ability to engage with people at all levels
- Able to multi-task in a fluid environment, able to prioritise, plan and manage workload, managing complex and multiple pieces of work/projects
- Able to lead and to support team members, especially when they are placed under pressure
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Good time-keeping.
- Respect confidentiality.
- Willingness to learn and develop skills.
- Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to stakeholders.
Desirable
- Ability to work in challenging or difficult circumstances
- Ability to speak Welsh
Other (Please Specify)
Essential
- Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels
- Commitment to developing own technical data science and core skills
- Prepared to travel
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.
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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Public Health Wales
Address
Base negotiable from various Public Health Wales locations across Wales.
2 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street
Cardiff
CF10 4BZ
Employer's website
https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)
