Epidemiological Research Scientist Remote
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Architecture and Data
Science
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Location
About the job
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and competent Epidemiologist to join our Epidemiological Insight team within the Advanced Analytics Division and the wider Analytics and Data Science (A&DS) Directorate. A&DS is part of the Data, Analytics and Surveillance (DAS) Group, within the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), whose mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting its citizens from infectious diseases and external hazards.
The team provides robust epidemiological knowledge and expertise to inform the evidence base of mathematical modelling and advanced analytical assessments, supporting the agency’s preparedness and response functions. It does this by delivering high-quality qualitative and quantitative epidemiological analyses across a broad range of infectious diseases of public health importance to the UK and international populations, including high-consequence and CBRN biological agents.
You will support the provision of evidence-based assessment by researching and reviewing the epidemiological and infectious disease literature, contributing to analyses and the production of scientific reports and products.
Your work will extend across a wide range of activities, allowing you to work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary division, other colleagues within Data, Analytics and Surveillance Group and across the wider organisation, providing you with the opportunity to develop your skillset within a friendly and supportive team environment.
Job Overview
Working to the Senior Epidemiologist you will assist and support the team by investigating specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources to support the development of mathematical and other analytical models for emerging infectious disease threats. This will involve the abstraction, evaluation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data for conducting literature reviews, technical reports and briefing documents. You will be required to enhance the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings. Where appropriate, you will assist with the organisation and delivery of meetings and workshops, and with funding applications. You will need to communicate with project team members on all scientific and operational issues and liaise with other expert internal and external contacts, as well as providing support to the National Response Centre, where required.
This role offers the opportunity to be involved in fast-paced health-incident responses to emergency threats, as well as longer-term projects that support the disease modelling or health economic analyses of the wider division, including development of our Disease Wiki and Modelling Parameter database.
Job description
- To investigate specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- To assist in the provision of epidemiological advice and support for the development of mathematical and other analytical models for emerging infectious disease threats.
- To abstract, evaluate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from all sources.
- Conduct literature searches to obtain relevant information on infectious diseases.
- To enhance the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of specialist reports, peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings, as appropriate.
- To organise and conduct meetings and workshops.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- First degree in a relevant science subject, or professional diploma in a numerate subject, or equivalent level of experience
- Good knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology
- Experience of analysing epidemiological data, and use of statistical analysis software packages (e.g., R, STATA)
- Good knowledge of using Microsoft office software packages, including MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
- Demonstrable experience of desk-based literature research, abstracting, data/report analysis and report preparation.
- Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills
- Ability to analyse and successfully communicate complex information, both orally and written
- Ability to deliver agreed project goals within specified deadlines and adaptability to changing priorities
- Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and to work as a team member
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relati
Desirable Criteria:
- Master’s degree or equivalent level of experience in epidemiology, public health or allied biological or statistical science
- Good knowledge of communicable disease epidemiology
- Experience of working within a public health environment, or in the National Health Service
- Experience of delivering STEM and public outreach activities
Benefits
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed and sifted in line with the essential criteria.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience
Stage 1: Application & Sift
At sift stage you will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of CV information entered into the application and Statement of Suitability (up to 850 words). You should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role. You should make particular reference to how you align to the main duties section.
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
Please note: The system will allow you to write up to 1500 words but please do not exceed 850 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Stage 2: Panel Interview
This vacancy is using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.
You will be asked to prepare and present a 10-minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview
The Behaviours you will be tested on are:
- Changing and improving
- Working together
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
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.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details – [email protected]
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
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