Medical Entomologist

Job summary

The Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) group assess, prepare, and respond to current and emerging vector-borne disease threats in the UK. The team provide entomological expertise on vector issues through research and surveillance activities, primarily on ticks and mosquitoes. They also work internationally on vectors/vector-borne diseases to deliver European funded projects and support the development and delivery of surveillance systems in the UK Overseas Territories. Research and surveillance activities are translated into expert advice for UKHSA, Department of Health and related sister agencies/departments, contributing to policy, contingency planning, and public health preparedness on vector-borne diseases.

We are seeking an additional team member with experience in medical entomology to support the delivery of our expanding research and surveillance portfolio on vectors/vector-borne diseases. They will work to actively support and contribute to the delivery of a wide range of projects through literature reviews, ecological field/lab-based research and surveillance activities and contribution to peer-reviewed publications as required by UKHSA and externally funded projects.

The Medical Entomologist may be required to undertake overseas travel and fieldwork in remote UK locations where driving is the only practical means of access. Therefore, the post holder must hold, or be working towards obtaining, a valid UK driving licence.

Job description

The main duties of the Medical Entomologist are related to vector surveillance and research activities in the UK, and involves data collection, analysis and interpretation, writing of scientific reports and publications.

These duties include:

• Support the delivery of scientific research/surveillance/externally funded projects relating to arthropod vectors and vector-borne diseases, including mosquitoes, ticks and other vectors of public health importance.
• Undertake literature reviews and horizon-scanning activities, extracting, evaluating and summarising key scientific publications.
• Assist with the collection, analysis and interpretation of surveillance/research data working with project leads and collaborators to deliver high-quality scientific outputs.
• Contribute to ecological fieldwork, vector surveillance activities and lab-based arthropod identification using established scientific techniques and protocols.
• Support the investigation of emerging vector-borne disease threats and contribute to public health preparedness and response activities as required.
• Prepare scientific reports/literature reviews/presentations and other technical outputs to support UKHSA activities, peer-reviewed publications and stakeholder communications.
• Contribute to the development of advice, guidance and risk assessments relating to vector-borne diseases and their public health impact.
• Develop effective working relationships with UKHSA colleagues, academic partners, local authorities and other organisations involved in vector surveillance/research/public health protection.
• Support the representation of the MEZE group at meetings/workshops/professional events as appropriate.
• Contribute to training and knowledge-sharing activities by supporting colleagues/collaborators in field/lab and surveillance techniques.
• Maintain professional competency through participation in training, appraisal and continuing professional development activities, and ensure compliance with all mandatory organisational requirements.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Medical Entomology, Entomology, Zoology, Ecology, Biological Sciences or a related discipline, or equivalent experience in medical entomology, including arthropod identification, field and laboratory techniques, scientific literature review, public health communication, risk assessment, and data analysis.
• Knowledge of medical entomology and vector-borne diseases and experience of conducting robust and/or systematic literature reviews, including use of relevant databases and references management software.
• Knowledge and practical experience of using ecological field-based techniques for research and/or surveillance.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to produce scientific reports and presentations.
• Ability to work as part of a team, and independently, to deliver shared goals. Using organisational, time management and prioritisation skills to deliver agreed project goals/milestones within agreed timescales.
• Experience in working within an environment where sudden unexpected demands require flexibility and re-prioritisation of work.
• Willing to travel overseas to deliver project goals and carry out scientific research and/or training.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of relevant laboratory-based working practices for the identification of vectors (morphologically or molecularly) and/or pathogens e.g. PCR, sequencing.
• Experience of analysing ecological datasets and use of statistical software packages.
• Experience of manipulating/presenting data using ArcGIS.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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%

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: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the Essential Criteria.

Application & Sift (Competency-based)

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert. You will be required to complete:

• an Application Form (‘Employer/Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000 word Supporting Statement - do not exceed 1000 words as we will not consider any words over and above this number

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 supporting statement.

The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV – please be advised you will not be able to upload or email us your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

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

Only 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following 2 Essential Criteria:

• Knowledge of medical entomology and vector-borne diseases
• Knowledge and experience of conducting robust and/or systematic literature reviews, including use of relevant databases and references management software

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

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview at our lab in Porton Down. Interview(s) to be confirmed.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

During the interview we will assess against the below in relation to the 7 Essential Criteria:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

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

Incident Response Activity

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

Qualifications and Registrations

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants. It may also be available as a loan (for existing Civil Servants only) or secondment arrangement, subject to business need and agreement from the hiring manager and, where applicable, the employee's home organisation.

Reserve List

If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Salary Information

Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
National HEO: £33,422 - £40,731 per annum, pro-rata

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.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our laboratory in Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG.

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 our lab.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC).

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 Security CTC clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Resourcing Support listed in the advert for further advice.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 : Sarah Handy
• Email : sarah.handy@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

https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v8352943