Senior Statistician

Job summary

The postholder will join the vaccines analysis team within the immunisation and vaccine preventable diseases division (IVPD) at Colindale which is part of the
chief medical advisor (CMA) directorate. The vaccines analysis team is focussed on assessing vaccine preventable diseases in terms of disease epidemiology, vaccine impact, safety and effectiveness, laboratory methods and vaccine policy. The work of the team is wide ranging with a focus on studies to address areas of public health concern that influence decision making on the use of vaccines in the UK. The postholder will join a small number of statisticians within the vaccines analysis team and engage with other statisticians and mathematical modellers within the analysis and intelligence assessment division (AIA) which is part of the chief data officer (CDO) directorate.

The postholder will collaborate closely with the tuberculosis, acute respiratory, zoonoses and emerging infections, and travel health division (TARZET), also based at Colindale. In particular, the postholder will work on projects related to pandemic preparedness initiatives as identified through UKHSA’s Pandemic Surveillance Oversight Group (PSOG).

We are looking for an enthusiastic statistician to work on a range of projects, including pandemic preparedness and household infectious disease transmission studies. Experience in these specific areas, or more widely in infectious disease epidemiology, would be ideal.

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

This is a temporary post to 31 March 2028 with responsibilities to work across a range of collaborative projects that the IVPD and/or TARZET are involved in. The main duties of the job will include:

• General statistical support for scientists within the IVPD and TARZET.
• Designing studies and developing appropriate statistical methods to answer questions involving pandemic preparedness and vaccine preventable diseases.
• Development of study protocols and assisting with statistical content of protocols such as statistical analysis plans and sample size calculation, this is to include protocols in relation to pandemic preparedness.
• Analysis of data from a wide range of sources, including that from a study of household transmission, as well as large-linked data bases such as Hospital Episodes data, vaccine registry data, GP data, laboratory data, and all-cause mortality data. This would require the use of advanced statistical methods and programming in software such as STATA or R.
• Writing statistical analysis or scientific reports and peer reviewed publications.
• Presenting results clearly to a wide-ranging audience including staff within the agency, advisory committees, and international audiences (e.g. in scientific conferences).
• Keeping up to date with relevant methodology to ensure best use of current methods. This may include advancing or adapting methods to answer public health questions

In addition to the main duties and responsibilities listed above, other duties may include:

• Contribution towards research grant applications for funding (from internal and external sources) where additional resources are required to implement a
  program of research.
• Management of specific projects.
• Teaching statistical methods to staff in the division.
• Managing and supervising staff as required.

Examples of areas of work are as follows:

1. Developing protocols and analyses to run on FFX (first few x-hundred) pandemic data using actual or simulated data.
2. Developing protocols and analysing data on household transmission of infectious disease (e.g. influenza or COVID-19).
3. Analysing all-cause mortality data and automating a daily model of all cause-mortality to run in a pandemic.
4. Estimating effectiveness, safety and impact of influenza and other vaccines in the UK. This will involve dealing with large-linked databases from a range of sources and being required to do rapid assessments.
5. Modelling disease epidemiology using laboratory reports, GP/hospital data and sero-epidemiological data, with pandemic preparedness in mind.

Using your skills in complex data analysis and communication you will be part of vibrant teams working to improve public health with a focus on vaccines and pandemic preparedness. Your analyses of vaccines will feed into wider understanding of benefits and risks of vaccines and help with mathematical modelling and costs effectiveness assessment and policy decisions.

You will lead some projects, whilst in others your focus may be the statistical aspects. You will work carefully with a focus on quality and completing projects in a timely way and writing up results clearly. You will develop methodology as required whilst keeping simplicity of what is needed in mind. You will programme with well written code and learn new statistical packages if needed (for example STATA, R).

Some projects require rapid answers when there is an urgent question, and you may need to think of how to do an analysis very quickly to provide a rapid assessment whilst also planning on a more detailed assessment. In the event of an outbreak where there is pandemic potential, rapid work will be required to adapt and implement protocols, and to analyse data as it emerges.

Please note the above list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Postgraduate degree (MSc or PhD) in a subject with substantial statistical content, such as mathematics & statistics, data science, epidemiology, economics
• Extensive relevant research experience resulting in publication in peer reviewed journals
• Experience of project management on large collaborative projects
• Experience of applying a wide range of statistical methodology including coding in appropriate software/programming languages such as R or STATA
• Analysis of large or complex datasets
• Supervising junior staff
• Strong communication skills with extensive presentation evidence

Desirable Criteria

• Experience related to pandemic preparedness, planning epidemiological studies, writing protocols, household infectious disease transmission studies, or vaccine-related studies
• Experience working with infectious disease data, laboratory assay data, GP or hospital episode statistics data, with an understanding of limitations
• Delivering training in epidemiology/statistics
• Supervision of PhD/MSc projects
• Development of statistical methodology
• Continued professional development, e.g. Royal Statistical Society Chartered Statistician status.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,494, UK Health Security Agency contributes £17,525 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%

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 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 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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

• 1000 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 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

Longlisting:

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

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

If used, the pile ‘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:

• Experience of applying a wide range of statistical methodology including coding in appropriate software/programming languages such as R or STATA
• Extensive relevant research experience resulting in publication in peer reviewed journals
• Analysis of large or complex datasets

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications or 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 remote interview

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a 10 minute Presentation on a project the candidate has worked on, including statistical methods and results.

Interviews 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.

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.

For Fixed Term Posts

If 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. 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 UKHSA’s pay policy.

Location

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

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.

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 Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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.

Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

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.

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 : Charlene Gwekwerere
• Email : charlene.gwekwerere@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 here.

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/8052000