Senior Mathematical Modeller / Research Software Engineer

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities of the role include:

1. Assess, develop and apply appropriate methods to facilitate the interchange of data and code across a range of emerging infectious disease threats.
2. Abstract and analyse relevant qualitative and quantitative data from various sources for use.
3. Communicate with experts in other disciplines to ensure that they understand required input data and the output from your work (including limitations and uncertainty on analyses performed).
4. Enhance the science base in this field and promote the epidemic modelling capabilities developed within the team through peer-reviewed publication of findings and presentations at conferences and workshops.
5. Work closely with other members of UKHSA in the integration and dissemination of the above tools and data to provide core UKHSA capabilities.
6. Communicate with other team members on scientific and operational issues and liaise with other experts both internally and externally.
7. Assist in the funding applications, where appropriate.
8. Provide specialist technical reports based on the work above, as required.

Essential Criteria.

• First degree in a discipline involving high mathematical or statistical content or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
• Higher degree (preferably PhD) or substantially equivalent experience in: the application of research focused computer code or mathematical modelling or statistics to problems in health (human, animal, or plant), microbiology or biological sciences.
• Demonstrable practical postgraduate experience in applying one or more of the techniques in the core skills ( Software, Mathematics, Statistical modelling, Spatial analysis, Spatial analysis, Data analysis) below. Particular weight will be given to software skills.
• Experience with software development process (version control, unit testing, continuous integration, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills written, verbal, tele/videoconferencing.
• Able to work together with others to achieve goals (team player).
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to team management.

Core skills

Mathematical modelling and Research Software Engineering is both a broad and deep field. It is expected that the post holder will bring some, but far from all, of the skills below to the team. It is expected that they will be more expert in some sections than others.

Software

• Set and analyse software requirements.
• Design scalable software can sustainably grow.
• Formulate and implement various types of tests so that software may be maintained.
• Automate operations of the integration and release process.
• Create source code building blocks that are documented and reusable.
• Able to produce code that is suitable for distribution on domain/language specific platforms (e.g., CRAN / PyPI).

Mathematics

• Constructing, using and solving ODE and/or PDE systems.
• Predictive modelling.
• Numerical methods.
• Linear programming / optimisation.
• Operational research.
• Functional analysis.
• Dimensional analysis.

Statistical modelling

• Standard frequentist analysis (e.g. ANOVA, GLM, LMEM, etc.).
• Bayesian statistics and analysis.
• Probability distribution theory.
• Stochastic simulation.
• Monte Carlo simulation.

Spatial analysis

• Mechanistic modelling.
• Compartmental disease modelling.
• Meta-population (patch) modelling.
• Individual based modelling.
• Network or next generation modelling.
• Spatio-temporal modelling.
• Sensitivity analysis.
• Host-vector modelling.
• Demographic modelling.
• Parameter estimation.
• Uncertainty analysis

Data analysis

• Data cleaning.
• Processing and use of remotely sensed data

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job advert.You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• Supporting Statement (up to 750 words) - this should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V. Please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

Your statement of suitability must be no more than 750 words.

If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead criteria of the essential criteria will be conducted.

• Demonstrablepractical postgraduate experience in applying one or more of the techniques in the core skills above. Particular weight will be given to software skills.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria2. Meets most essential criteria3. Meets no essential criteria

(We will take through pile 1)

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Candidates who pass the sift stage will progress to a Technical assessment stage.

Stage 2: Technical assessment.

There will be a technical assessment prior to interview. This assessment will be based on converting a problem into code and discussing that solution with a panel.

Candidates who pass the technical assessment stage will progress to interview.

Stage 3: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 29 September 2025, please note these dates are subject to change.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:

Behaviours:

o Working together

o Communicating and influencing

o Changing and improving

Previous Skills and Experience: technical skills and ability

You will be asked to prepare and present a 10-minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records

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 any of our Core HQs. 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) working 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 link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance

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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) 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.

Successful candidates must also meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable criteria

Essential

• Supporting Statement & CV

Behaviours

Essential

• Working together
• Communicating and influencing
• Changing and improving

Previous Skills and Experience

Essential

• Technical skills
• Ability

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

UKHSA Core Locations

Birmingham, London, Leeds, Liverpool.

E14 4PU

Employer's website

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