Senior 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. The team also work internationally on vectors and vector-borne diseases to deliver European funded projects and to support the development and delivery of surveillance systems in the UK Overseas Territories. Research and surveillance activities are translated into expert advice for UKHSA, the Department of Health and related sister agencies and 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 and vector-borne diseases.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and with external and internal collaborators within and outside UKHSA, the post holder will provide medical entomological and vector-borne disease expertise (particularly on tick-borne diseases) within a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities of the Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology group. This will include the development, design and delivery of specific projects and resources such as UKHSA’s National vector surveillance programmes of ticks and mosquitoes.

We are keen to hear from candidates with experience in entomology, as well as candidates with experience in innovation, prototyping and the application of emerging technologies to address real-world challenges.

Job description

The postholder will contribute specialist scientific expertise to the delivery of research, surveillance and health protection activities relating to vector-borne diseases of public health importance. Working within the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology team, they will support UKHSA's understanding of current and emerging vector-borne disease threats through the generation, analysis and interpretation of scientific evidence.

The postholder will:

• Critically analyse and interpret complex scientific data from research studies, surveillance systems, incident investigations and funded projects, identifying trends, assessing risks and drawing evidence-based conclusions to inform public health decision-making.
• Lead and deliver research and surveillance projects relating to vectors and vector-borne diseases, ensuring activities are completed to agreed quality standards and timescales.
• Design and undertake field, laboratory and desk-based investigations using appropriate scientific, epidemiological and entomological methodologies.
• Develop and support surveillance activities for vectors of public health importance, including mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods relevant to human disease transmission.
• Plan and undertake fieldwork, including vector collection, species identification, habitat assessment and environmental investigations.
• Analyse surveillance and research data using appropriate analytical and statistical approaches.

Scientific Leadership and Research

• Review and interpret scientific literature, surveillance data and intelligence on emerging vector-borne diseases, assessing implications for UK public health.
• Maintain expertise in medical entomology, vector ecology and disease epidemiology to support programme development and innovation.
• Produce technical reports, publications, presentations, funding applications and briefings for a range of audiences.
• Contribute to research opportunities, partnerships and externally funded projects that strengthen UKHSA evidence and surveillance capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with governance, quality and health and safety requirements.
• Contribute to team and divisional objectives.

Project Delivery and Team Leadership

• Plan, manage and monitor research and surveillance projects, balancing priorities and delivering outputs to agreed timescales.
• Coordinate colleagues and external partners, maintain project records and support reporting, resource management and budgets.
• Supervise, mentor and develop staff, students and visiting researchers.
• Support recruitment, induction and workforce development activities.
• Promote collaborative working and knowledge sharing.
• Deputise for senior colleagues and represent the team at relevant meetings and forums.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build effective relationships with UKHSA colleagues, government, academia and partner organisations.
• Provide specialist advice on vector surveillance, ecology and disease risks.
• Prepare and present evidence, briefings and reports for scientific, operational and policy audiences.
• Contribute to publications, government-facing products and communications that translate complex evidence for non-specialist audiences.

Health Protection

• Support the assessment and management of vector-borne disease threats.
• Contribute scientific expertise to risk assessments, surveillance investigations, incidents and public health responses.
• Support horizon scanning, evaluation of control measures and development of evidence-based guidance.
• Deliver training and technical guidance on vector-borne diseases.

Professional Development

• Maintain professional knowledge through continuing development, appraisal, mandatory training and compliance with UKHSA policies and standards

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree with substantial relevant experience and significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses
• Experience of contributing to large scale vector surveillance programmes with experience of developing and co-ordinating complex field-based research projects in potentially challenging environments with potentially changing priorities/tight deadlines
• Demonstration of an active research profile through peer review publication record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases and experience of drafting briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders for project meetings and/or training purposes and evidence of continuing professional development with high degree of self-motivation .
• Ability to prepare and produce evidence based scientific material for dissemination to a broad range of stakeholders, including non-specialists, as required with ability to identify scientific issues drawn from multiple sources, undertake comprehensive literature reviews, assess materials with conflicting states and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decisions

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of staff recruitment, selection and supervision
• Experience of contributing to successful research proposals

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 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.

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 and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

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 a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500.

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

If used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree with substantial relevant experience and significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses
• Experience of contributing to large scale vector surveillance programmes with experience of developing and co-ordinating complex field-based research projects in potentially challenging environments with potentially changing priorities/tight deadlines
• Demonstration of an active research profile through peer review publication record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases and experience of drafting briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders for project meetings and/or training purposes and evidence of continuing professional development with high degree of self-motivation.

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 interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our Scientific Campus, Porton.

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview in the form of questions.

There will be a Presentation.

• Please prepare a 10-minute presentation on the following topic: Identify one current challenge relating to vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in the UK and explain how you would approach addressing it.

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

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 - This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.

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 campus.

Security Clearance Level Requirement Please

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

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

When based at our scientific campus, 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.

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.

If this role is fixed term and you are not currently a Civil Servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment; you may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. Loans are normally agreed for a period of two years. However, this may be extended where required, subject to agreement between UKHSA and your home department. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy. If this role is permanent, 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.

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.

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.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : John Inglis
• Email : john.inglis@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 the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: 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 for
further information: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

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