Epidemiologist/Surveillance Scientist (Zoonoses) SEO London, England
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About the job
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About the job
Job summary
**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**
The post-holder will be a member of scientific staff working on a range of activities undertaken by the Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team. The post-holder will be responsible for managing, analysing, developing and improving the surveillance portfolio, surveillance systems and databases for zoonotic infections in England and Wales (working closely with the National Public Health Service for Wales). The post-holder will also collaborate closely with colleagues working in animal health and other agencies/ institutes working on zoonoses. The post-holder will be expected to work independently and in close liaison with the scientific Lead Epidemiologist and the Consultant Epidemiologist for zoonoses.
This full-time post will provide critical scientific and data-management skills. The post-holder will be responsible for developing appropriate data linkage, analysing, and interpreting complex data on the epidemiology of zoonoses and providing outputs to a range of national and international stakeholders. Timely information outputs from zoonoses surveillance will be a crucial aspect of the post. The post-holder will also contribute to scientific and logistical support for investigations into national outbreaks of zoonotic infections; the development of research proposals; writing scientific reports and papers for publication; and presenting epidemiological findings at a range of national and international meetings and conferences.
Location
Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT – Hybrid working available
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:
- managing, analysing, developing, and improving the surveillance portfolio, surveillance systems and databases for zoonotic infections in England and Wales
- collaborate closely with colleagues working in animal health and other agencies/institutes working on zoonoses and contribute to scientific and logistical support for investigations into national outbreaks of zoonotic infections.
- develop appropriate data linkage, analysing, and interpreting complex data on the epidemiology of zoonoses and providing outputs to a range of national and international stakeholders.
- write scientific reports and papers for publication and lead on routine zoonoses reporting.
- regularly update relevant zoonoses webpages on .gov
- contribute to development of research proposals.
- teach new members of staff and provide training in the area of zoonoses.
- partake in joint annual reviews or appraisals.
- line manage junior members of staff in the team.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words (anything over that will be deleted) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Higher degree in Microbiology, Epidemiology or an allied subject (MSc or equivalent)
- Strong analytical skills - statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets
- Using databases, spreadsheets, statistical and graphics packages to an advanced level
- Having a thorough understanding and knowledge of recent advances in the epidemiology and microbiology of infectious diseases, particularly of zoonoses
- Ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific and industry specialists.
- Ability to work on a number of separate tasks at the same time, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines.
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders
Desirable
- An understanding of outbreak investigation
- Presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings/ conferences
Benefits
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
- 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
Your Statement of Suitability (max 750 words – anything over will be deleted) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification 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.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview by video.
You will be sent a short data task, and a few questions related to the data prior to the interview taking place. The results will be discussed during the interview.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 18th April 2023 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews: W/C 8th May 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
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.
Security clearance level requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
Check just a basic check is required.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
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: [email protected]. 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.
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 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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
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
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