Senior Scientist (Epidemiology)

Job summary

The Acute Respiratory Infections team is located within UKHSA’s TARZET division. The remit of the team includes providing specialist epidemiology and surveillance, coordinating the investigation of national outbreaks, advising government on the risks posed by various acute respiratory pathogens and responding to international health concerns.

The postholder will be a member of a team working on the surveillance, epidemiology and investigation of acute respiratory infections. Functions of the team include development of analysis and reporting functions for the mSCAPE programme to use metagenomic data for public health surveillance; development of new and reactive analysis methods for emerging pathogens and supporting the investigation and management of major national outbreaks, and collaborative working with epidemiology, modelling and academic partners.

They will also work in an integrated way with other teams, such as the Genomics Public Health Analysis team (GPHA), in the TARZET division within the Emerging and Epidemic Infections Directorate.

Job description

• The post is within the metagenomics surveillance section of the Acute Respiratory Infections team. The primary function of this post is to coordinate and develop the collation and epidemiological analysis of acute respiratory infection surveillance datasets derived from metagenomic sequencing.
• The post holder will regularly conduct epidemiological analyses to monitor trends, geographic distribution and risk factors and supervise junior scientific staff to collate, manage and validate surveillance datasets. They will lead on and contribute to the delivery of surveillance and policy reports and to peer-reviewed publications.
• The post-holder will adopt a variety of public health and surveillance portfolios, develop and implement standardised data collection and analysis protocols, will identify data quality issues and will facilitate their resolution. They will ensure that data are collected and processed in accordance with relevant policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and will undertake regular assessments of data quality and completeness.

Surveillance

• Develop, manage and maintain the mSCAPE pathogen surveillance databases.
• Manage existing national surveillance systems and co-ordinate the development of new metagenomic surveillance systems for acute respiratory and to supervise and advise junior scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance and development of integrated or enhanced surveillance datasets.
• Conduct complex statistical analyses of metagenomic and other pathogen data, as required, drawn from a variety of surveillance sources.
• Advise scientific and administrative staff conducting routine analyses of surveillance datasets for standardised outputs and ad hoc enquiries.
• Supervise junior scientific colleagues and the administrative team in the production of surveillance reports and publications.
• Help coordinate the activities of scientists in partner institutes involved in collaborative surveillance programmes.
• Provide technical advice and assistance to public health practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of surveillance databases.
• Develop methodologies to ensure emerging threats are recognized in a timely manner by the analysis and interpretation of often complex data from a variety of sources to understand the public health significance of the potential risk.

Outbreak Investigation

Manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the epidemiology lead, by:

• Liaising with relevant specialists to collect epidemiological data
• Coordinating and advising incident teams
• Overseeing data entry and ensuring quality control of databases
• Collating and interpreting genome-derived epidemiological and microbiological data drawn from a variety of sources
• Providing statistical and phylogenetic analyses for government agencies, health protection units and environmental health departments
• Writing briefing notes and situation reports
• Presenting epidemiological data to Incident Management Teams
• Contributing to the production of outbreak reports and subsequent publications

Research

• Contribute to the development of research proposals
• Coordinate the collection and collation of data from collaborators based in specialist laboratories and other institutions throughout the UK.
• Conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological and microbiological data for grant funded research projects and UKHSA programmes.
• Provide complex statistical analyses of metagenomics surveillance/research datasets to academic units and other agencies involved in collaborative epidemiological, microbiological and veterinary research studies under the guidance of the project leader.
• Contribute to the process of writing scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and project reports to funding bodies.

Publications and presentations

• Write or contribute to the drafting of scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and detailed reports for UKHSA or Government departments.
• Supervise scientific and administrative staff in the production of departmental web outputs
• Present epidemiological findings at national and international meetings and conferences.

Teaching and Training

• Develop and present lectures and teaching materials on the epidemiology and surveillance of acute respiratory infections for UKHSA, university postgraduate and professional development training programmes.
• Contribute to the training for new members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of acute respiratory infections.
• Line management of junior scientific staff.

This list is not exhaustive

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree in a life science, data science, or related discipline, with postgraduate study or experience in public health, genomic epidemiology, microbial genomics, or a related field.
• Experience interpreting, analysing, and evaluating genomic and epidemiological data using tools such as R or Python.
• Ability to analyse, synthesise, and interpret complex information from multiple and sometimes conflicting sources to support decision-making.
• Strong scientific writing skills, including preparation of scientific publications, technical reports, and project documentation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas and methods clearly to a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities, solving practical problems, and delivering work to agreed deadlines.
• Demonstrated sound judgement, including the ability to make informed decisions from incomplete information, alongside a commitment to equality, inclusion, and positive working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets.
• Experience of managing technical aspects of outbreak investigation.
• Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatics analytical approaches.
• Knowledge of metagenomics.
• Having a thorough understanding of recent advances in the epidemiology and microbiology of respiratory infections and presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences.
• Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders and an ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific specialists.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,416 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).

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's 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.

• 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

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7essential 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, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1500 words. We will not consider any words over 1500words.

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 may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Degree in a life science, data science, or related discipline, with postgraduate study or experience in public health, genomic epidemiology, microbial genomics, or a related field.
• Experience interpreting, analysing, and evaluating genomic and epidemiological data using tools such as R or Python.

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Technical skills will be tested at interview in the form of questions and a presentation.

There will be a 5-minute presentation on metagenomic data analysis.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Lead behaviour - Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

Interview dates are 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 core HQ in Canary Wharf, London. 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 office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard

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.

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.

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.

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 basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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 : 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