Senior Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below 10essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

• First degree in a science subject and a higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject, or equivalent
• Postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject
• Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using Access/ SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical and graphics packages to an advanced level
• Statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets
• Managing epidemiological studies and outbreak investigation
• Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly to include excellent oral and experience of writing scientific papers and/or project reports
• Identify and solve day-to-day practical problems
• Ability to work on several separate tasks at the same time, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines
• Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources and to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience, Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (10)essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000word 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 someessential criteria
• Meets no essentialcriteria

The following will be taken through to the next stage:

• Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

• First degree in a science subject and a higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject, or equivalent
• Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using Access/ SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical and graphics packages to an advanced level
• Statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets

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.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

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

Behaviours, technical, experience & ability will be tested at interview.

There will be a 5-10 minute Presentation, details of which will be provided at interview stage.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

• Working together
• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving
• Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour )
• Delivering at pace

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- External

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 a Counter-terrorist Check.

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtainCounter Terrorism Check (CTC). UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form and Statement of Suitability

Essential

• Application form and Statement of Suitability

Interview

Essential

• Working Together
• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving
• Managing a quality service - Lead behaviour
• Delivering at pace

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

Colindale

Colindale, London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

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