Epidemiologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Working to the Principal Epidemiologist you will assist and support the team by investigating specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources to contribute to team and divisional projects and support the development of mathematical, economic and other analytical models for emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. This will involve the abstraction, evaluation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and conducting literature reviews, writing rapid evidence summaries, technical reports and briefing documents.

You will be required to enhance the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings. Where appropriate, you will assist with the organisation and delivery of meetings and workshops, and with funding applications.

You will need to communicate with project team members on all scientific and operational issues and liaise with other expert internal and external contacts, as well as providing support to the National Response Centre, where required.

This role offers the opportunity to be involved in fast-paced health-incident responses to emergency threats, as well as longer-term projects that support disease modelling or health economic analyses of the wider division, including development of our Disease Wiki and Modelling Parameter Database applications.

Essential criteria:

• First degree in a biological science subject, or professional diploma in a numerate subject, or significant level of experience working in a public health setting
• Masters degree in epidemiology, public health, allied biological or statistical science or equivalent level of experience working in an epidemiology, public health, allied biological or statistical science setting
• Good knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology
• Experience of analysing epidemiological data, and use of statistical analysis software packages (e.g., R, STATA)
• Good knowledge of using Microsoft office software packages, including MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
• Demonstrable experience of desk-based literature research, abstracting, data/report analysis and report preparation
• Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills
• Ability to analyse and successfully communicate complex information, both orally and written
• Ability to deliver agreed project goals within specified deadlines and adaptability to changing priorities
• Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and to work as a team member
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable criteria:

• Good knowledge of communicable disease epidemiology
• Experience of delivering STEM and public outreach activities

Selection Process Detail

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 11 essential criteria listed in the job advert, this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• A Supporting Statement of up to 850 words (Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500 words, but your supporting statement must be no more than 850 words.)

This statement should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

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.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement.

Longlisting:

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

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

Those that Meet all essential criteriawill be progressed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

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

• Demonstrable experience of desk-based literature research, abstracting, data analysis and report preparation and writing.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to the next stage.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Technical Test

If you pass the Shortlisting stage, you will be asked to complete a timed technical test, prior to your interview. This will be carried out remotely and you will be assigned a 1 hour time slot (of your choosing) to complete and return your response. The time slots will be between 20th and 24th October 2025. Full instructions will be provided.

We will issue a variety of documents and online sources via email. You will be expected to:

• Write a briefing note for a senior colleague summarising evidence around an infectious disease scenario.

Once completed, you will need to send this to the Recruitment Manager and Hiring Manager via email.

If you pass the technical test you will progress to the interview stage.

Stage 3: Interview

Success Profiles

If you passed the test in Stage 2, you will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working together (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing
• Working at Pace

You will also be asked to present a 10 minute presentation during your interview. The subject of this being:

• An overview of the current global epidemiology of mpox.

As part of the interview, you will also be asked technical questions based on the technical test you provided in Stage 2.Interviews will be held week commencing 3rd November 2025, please note these dates are subject to change.

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

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).

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).

Salary Bands

National - £31,997 to £39,076Outer London - £34,093 to £41,509Inner London - £36,187 to £43,552

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.

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Working together (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing
• Working at Pace

Technical Test

Essential

• Technical test

Technical Questions

Essential

• Technical questions

Technical Presentation

Essential

• Presentation

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

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU

Employer's website

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