UK Health Security Agency

Senior Scientist SEO

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

There are two vacancies available:

  1. Fixed Term Contract with an end date on 30/11/2024 to support the IID3 Study.

This specific post is to support a research collaboration between UKHSA and academic institutions for the Infectious Intestinal Diseases Study III (IID3), which helps us calibrate our laboratory and syndromic surveillance systems, and will require, extracting, preparing and sharing of data.

  1. Fixed Term Contract with an end date on 31/03/2024 for the Gonorrhoea vaccination project

This specific post is to support an ongoing collaboration with the university of Manchester, funded by Wellcome Trust, looking at the impact of vaccination approaches to prevent gonorrhoea infections and antimicrobial resistance. The project uses a mathematical modelling approach and will require, extracting, preparing and sharing of data.

These roles are being offered on a full-time basis. UKHSA can offer secondments to internal candidates.

Location

The main location for the teams is in Cunard Building, Liverpool L3 1DS, but any UKHSA location might be offered.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.

Main duties of the job

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Project manage research studies, extracting and analysing datasets with appropriate methodology to answer research questions, supported by the systematic review of literature and with knowledge of how to develop a grant proposal, and apply for ethical approval.
  • Share data with research partners and contribute to the analysis and reporting.
  • Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other for a and publish and present scientific papers on public health surveillance, outbreaks, and infectious disease control in collaboration with health, public health, academic and other partners.
  • Conduct complex statistical analyses and interpret surveillance and other data, making appropriate recommendations, develop automated routines and solutions.
  • Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL and SharePoint in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions and undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to support data extractions, analysis, and validation.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

About us

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role.
  • An environment with flexible working options.
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
  • Range of health and wellbeing support.
  • 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service.

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 Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Details

Date posted

10 August 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,056 to £42,481 a year Senior Executive Officer

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

NE-UKHSA00208

Job locations

Cunard Building

Liverpool

L3 1DS


Job description

Job responsibilities

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

Your Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**

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.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Prior to the interview, the successful candidates will be sent a short data test to analyse and create a brief report. This will be assessed during the interview, followed by a few questions from the panel.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 3rd September 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: W/C 18th September 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

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.

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

A basic check is required.

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.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

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: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

Your Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**

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.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Prior to the interview, the successful candidates will be sent a short data test to analyse and create a brief report. This will be assessed during the interview, followed by a few questions from the panel.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 3rd September 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: W/C 18th September 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

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.

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

A basic check is required.

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.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

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: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)
  • MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of principles and practice of data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
  • Experience of interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses and performing analytical epidemiology in outbreak situations
  • Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journals
  • Knowledge and experience of common statistical tests, modelling and analyses and interpret results appropriately, including for research purposes
  • Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software packages
  • Knowledge of health and social care environment, and roles and responsibilities within it including information flows in the NHS and allied services
  • Understand of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills
  • Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
  • Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
  • Able to work under own initiative, respond to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner

Desirable

  • Experience of teaching epidemiology and/or surveillance
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)
  • MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of principles and practice of data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
  • Experience of interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses and performing analytical epidemiology in outbreak situations
  • Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journals
  • Knowledge and experience of common statistical tests, modelling and analyses and interpret results appropriately, including for research purposes
  • Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software packages
  • Knowledge of health and social care environment, and roles and responsibilities within it including information flows in the NHS and allied services
  • Understand of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills
  • Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
  • Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
  • Able to work under own initiative, respond to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner

Desirable

  • Experience of teaching epidemiology and/or surveillance

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 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.

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 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

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Cunard Building

Liverpool

L3 1DS


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Cunard Building

Liverpool

L3 1DS


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

RPO Talent Specialist

Nicoleta Enciu

UKHSA.recruitment@reed.com

Details

Date posted

10 August 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,056 to £42,481 a year Senior Executive Officer

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

NE-UKHSA00208

Job locations

Cunard Building

Liverpool

L3 1DS


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)