Job summary
Job Title - Senior Epidemiologist
Profession- Epidemiology
Directorate - Analytics & Data Science
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles - 1
Contract Type - Permanent
Location - Remote working/any major UKHSA base
Working Pattern - Full Time /Part Time / Flexible Working/ Hybrid Working/ Job Share
Grade & Salary - Grade SEO. National banding £37,056 - £42,481.
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.
Closing Date - 15/08/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Interview Date - 04/09/2023 & 05/09/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Main duties of the job
Working to the Principal Epidemiologist you will help coordinate the investigation of specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources to support the development of mathematical and other analytical models for emerging infectious disease threats of interest. You will undertake specialist and often complex analyses and evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets and research evidence to make recommendations and inform decision-making which may have long term impacts. You will often need to select the best option from a range of possible solutions and challenge or respond to differing opinions, leading to the development of papers for publication or as part of briefings, internal or external.
You will enhance the science base in this field through writing and supporting peer-reviewed publications, presenting your findings at meetings, and contributing to funding applications, where appropriate. You will need to have great communication skills and work with project team members on all scientific and operational issues as well as liaising with other expert internal and external contacts. Part of this role involves providing support to the National Response Centre, where required.
About us
We are looking for an enthusiastic and competent Senior Epidemiologist to join our Epidemiological Insight team within the Advanced Analytics Division and the wider Analytics and Data Science (A&DS) Directorate. A&DS is part of the Data, Analytics and Surveillance (DAS) Group, within the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), whose mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting its citizens from infectious diseases and external hazards.
The team provides robust epidemiological knowledge and expertise to inform the evidence base of mathematical modelling and advanced analytical assessments, supporting the agency's preparedness and response functions. It does this by delivering high-quality qualitative and quantitative epidemiological analyses across a broad range of infectious diseases of public health importance to the UK and international populations, including high-consequence and CBRN biological agents.
You will lead on identified projects to drive evidence-based assessments; reviewing and interpreting epidemiological and infectious disease literature to make recommendations and inform decision-making which may have long-term impacts on the UK's health.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties of the Job
- Investigating specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- Abstracting, evaluating and analysing qualitative and quantitative data from all sources.
- Delivering high-quality evidence on emerging disease threats to the public, to inform analytical assessments for health professionals and decision makers.
- Providing epidemiological advice for the development of mathematical and other analytical models for emerging infectious disease threats.
- Conducting literature searches to obtain relevant information on infectious diseases.
- Enhancing the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of specialist reports, peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings, as appropriate.
- Responding to sudden unexpected demands, demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and work as a team member.
- Having formal responsibility for an epidemiologist and working to a Principal Epidemiologist.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.
Essential Criteria:
- First degree in a science or health-related topic or equivalent
- Demonstrate the ability to systematically review and assess scientific and medical literature in order to support the development of evidence-based guidance and policies
- Ability to summarise complex information in written reports
- Significant experience of report writing, drafting briefings and correspondence
- Experience of data management and analysis using common statistical tools such as STATA and R.
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Experience of communicating urgent information clearly to others during public health incidents
- Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
- Ability to produce descriptive epidemiology reports independently
- Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making
- Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Evidence of continued professional development (as applicable)
Desirable criteria
- Post graduate degree in epidemiology, public health or related science
- Understanding of outbreak investigations
- Line management experience
- Good knowledge of communicable disease epidemiology
- Experience of working within a public health environment, or in the National Health Service
Selection Process
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed and sifted in line with the essential criteria.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, we will assess your behaviours and experience.
Application stage
At sift stage you will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of CV information entered into the application and Statement of Suitability (up to 1000 words). You should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role. You should make particular reference to how you align to the main duties section.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
Please note: The system will allow you to write up to 1500 words but please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Stage 2: Panel Interview
This vacancy is using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.
You will be asked to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview. The interview will be conducted remotely over Microsoft Teams.
Behaviours to be assessed:
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Working together
- Making effective decisions
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
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.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties of the Job
- Investigating specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- Abstracting, evaluating and analysing qualitative and quantitative data from all sources.
- Delivering high-quality evidence on emerging disease threats to the public, to inform analytical assessments for health professionals and decision makers.
- Providing epidemiological advice for the development of mathematical and other analytical models for emerging infectious disease threats.
- Conducting literature searches to obtain relevant information on infectious diseases.
- Enhancing the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of specialist reports, peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings, as appropriate.
- Responding to sudden unexpected demands, demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and work as a team member.
- Having formal responsibility for an epidemiologist and working to a Principal Epidemiologist.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.
Essential Criteria:
- First degree in a science or health-related topic or equivalent
- Demonstrate the ability to systematically review and assess scientific and medical literature in order to support the development of evidence-based guidance and policies
- Ability to summarise complex information in written reports
- Significant experience of report writing, drafting briefings and correspondence
- Experience of data management and analysis using common statistical tools such as STATA and R.
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
- Experience of communicating urgent information clearly to others during public health incidents
- Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
- Ability to produce descriptive epidemiology reports independently
- Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making
- Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Evidence of continued professional development (as applicable)
Desirable criteria
- Post graduate degree in epidemiology, public health or related science
- Understanding of outbreak investigations
- Line management experience
- Good knowledge of communicable disease epidemiology
- Experience of working within a public health environment, or in the National Health Service
Selection Process
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed and sifted in line with the essential criteria.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, we will assess your behaviours and experience.
Application stage
At sift stage you will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of CV information entered into the application and Statement of Suitability (up to 1000 words). You should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role. You should make particular reference to how you align to the main duties section.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
Please note: The system will allow you to write up to 1500 words but please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Stage 2: Panel Interview
This vacancy is using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.
You will be asked to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview. The interview will be conducted remotely over Microsoft Teams.
Behaviours to be assessed:
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Working together
- Making effective decisions
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
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.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- oFirst degree in a science or health-related topic or equivalent
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- oFirst degree in a science or health-related topic or equivalent
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).
