Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Group Leader

Job summary

The principal responsibility of the post holder will be the overall management of the work and outputs of the Environmental Epidemiology Team, with a focus on the Environmental Public Health Tracking programme, and to share responsibility for strategic management of the Environmental Epidemiology Team overall as a member of the management team.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of 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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

ndertake national and international duties relating to protection from public health impacts of chemical and other environmental factors and acting as a national representative, to support the work of UKHSA at high level meetings, some requiring security clearance. Also, advising national and international groups on the effects of chemical and other environmental factors on health. Develop and advise on the implementation of health protection measures and policies.

In emergency situations, undertake the relevant role in RCCE’s emergency plan; this will involve close liaison with UKHSA colleagues, government bodies and agencies and the NHS. The individual needs to be able to provide specialist advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals on chemical and other environmental factors issues as appropriate during an emergency situation or other situations.

The post involves a high degree of autonomy and requires regular high-level decision-making on a wide range of scientific and managerial topics although emphasis is on the scientific/technical contribution to advice for work both inside and outside UKHSA. The breadth of expertise is manifest in the range of stakeholders involved/influenced and/or range of projects planned and undertaken by the postholder.

The postholder will have direct interactions and provide input to other research on chemical and other environmental factors within RCCE.

The post holder will:

• Ensure that the environmental epidemiology team (EET) inputs contribute to the achievement of UKHSA’s business objectives and performance delivery, ensuring that the work programme is managed within agreed financial and resource constraints.
• Influence the development of effective policies relating to chemical and other environmental factors and public health through close working relationships with the key agencies, organisations and Government Departments.
• Resolve complex issues relating to the science, interventions or communication relevant to the public health impact of chemical and other environmental factors. This may require anticipating issues and understanding underlying causes before providing solutions, in consultation with colleagues and/or other organisations. In more difficult or high-profile cases, agreeing the course of action with the Science Lead and Head of Environmental Epidemiology and Head of Department.
• Be responsible for the planning, design and execution of scientific or advisory projects in chemical and other environmental factors and acting as lead researcher for initiating contracts and projects. Seeking funding for projects undertaken by EET and contributing directly to the work.
• Work with research collaborators/partners from other organisations including international collaborations.
• Ensure the work of EET is supervised and undertaken within appropriate and relevant quality management systems.
• Ensure that all data/ information generated by EET is stored in an appropriate manner ideally in an electronic form consistent with the Departmental document management systems and complies with UKHSA’s information management policies.
• Communicate the results of EET’s scientific work in peer reviewed journals, conferences, and in UKHSA’s publications. This responsibility includes writing scientific/ technical papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and writing contract reports and other publications.
• Act as one of the UKHSA lead for authoritative advice in epidemiological surveillance methods for chemical and other environmental factors providing expert advice to a range of stakeholders including public meetings.
• Develop and providing expert scientific advice and research on health impacts of chemical and other environmental factors
• Provide scientifically sound health protection related advice to official bodies in the UK and overseas, and to individuals and organisations.
• Provide general advice directly to members of the public and officials on environmental exposures and likely health effects.
• Represent UKHSA work at a national and international level, providing advice on chemical and other environmental factors impacts on environmental public
  health, protection policy and standards and their implementation. This will usually involve providing input to development of policy and procedures nationally and internationally, with significant implications for work within UKHSA.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential role criteria

• A PhD in a relevant scientific field (Environmental Health or Environmental Epidemiology); or equivalent qualification; or equivalent experience in the field of environmental public health.
• Significant post-doctoral or equivalent experience in research on the health effects of chemical and other environmental hazards including environmental public health surveillance and health protection projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong track record in publication in peer reviewed journals or similar texts in relevant specialist areas including those concerning income generating contracts.
• Contacts, nationally and internationally with leading workers in relevant scientific/technical disciplines and representatives of government/non-government policy making and funding.
• Line management experience and proven experience and ability to manage a team of scientists and associated projects.

Please note that for roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £66,497, UK Health Security Agency contributes £19,264 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 5 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of :

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

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). Please do not email us your CV.

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

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

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

• A PhD in a relevant scientific field (Environmental Health or Environmental Epidemiology); or equivalent qualification; or equivalent experience in the field of environmental public health.
• Significant post-doctoral or equivalent experience in research on the health effects of chemical and other environmental hazards including environmental public health surveillance and health protection projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong track record in publication in peer reviewed journals or similar texts in relevant specialist areas including those concerning income generating contracts.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in London (Canary Wharf). In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, strengths, ability, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview.

You will be required to prepare a presentation (maximum of 10 minutes) as part of the interview. This will be based on your expertise and how you will contribute to EPHT. Further details of this will be sent to you prior to the interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Communication and Influencing

Interviews will be held week commencing 27th July 2026. 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.

Location

This role is office/lab based at either our Core HQ in London (Canary Wharf) or our scientific campus in Didcot.

Please note the successful candidate will be expected to travel regularly between Didcot and Canary Wharf (and other potential locations) as part of the role.

Hybrid working is not available with this role.

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).

Eligibility Criteria

Option 1 - External

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

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check 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 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check clearance. 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.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary.
Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Grade 7 Upper

£66,497- £68,574 (Didcot - Outer London)
£68,626- £70,566 (Canary Wharf - Inner London)

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jon Payne
• Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

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: Complaints@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk