research scientist London, England
Job description
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About the job
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Location
About the job
Job summary
UKHSA exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships, and the delivery of specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry, and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific and delivery expertise and support.
The Tuberculosis (TB) Unit is responsible for developing and disseminating guidance, information, and data for TB control. The Unit manages surveillance activities for active and latent forms of TB, as well as non-tuberculous mycobacteria and leprosy. Additionally, the Unit provides clinical advice and support for TB control including incident and outbreak management.
The post holder will work as part of the TB Unit, being involved in a wide range of activities including the development and assessment of TB surveillance systems and will primarily take responsibility for the use and analysis of sequencing data in TB surveillance activities.
Location
61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT (Hybrid working, minimum 2 days in the office).
- Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.
Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working
Job description
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the strategy for TB sequencing and transmission data in surveillance
- Manage national TB transmission and clustering data, and historical strain typing
- Work to provide access for local, regional, and national level data users to TB sequencing reports
- Liaise with Field Service, health protection teams (HPT) and NHS and devolved administration staff with respect to sequencing results and clusters
- Support the development and testing of inclusion of sequence, transmission, and cluster data in the National TB Surveillance (NTBS) system.
- Conduct epidemiological analysis of TB sequencing, screening, and surveillance data to improve the understanding of the epidemiology of TB and support the delivery of the TB Action Plan 2021-6
- Work with collaborators to contribute to related research activities as appropriate including studies using TB sequencing and surveillance data
- Contribute to the analysis and writing of reports and articles of major TB incidents and analysis of TB sequencing and surveillance data for publication in peer review journals and for presentation at national and international meetings
- Providing training and support for users of TB sequencing data as necessary
- Respond to specific requests for data and information on TB data held by the unit
- Participate in the active teaching and training programme of medical, scientific, and other staff, both within UKHA and outside
Please refer to the Job Description for a full list of duties
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 800 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a Biological Science
- MSc in epidemiology or public health research
- Experience in using computers, databases, statistical and graphics software packages
- Experience in data management, analysis, and interpretation
- Writing and preparing reports, scientific papers, and presentations, communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly
- At least 2 years of communicable disease epidemiology and surveillance work experience, including cluster/ outbreak investigation
- Good organisational and time-management skills, work well under pressure to ensure deadlines are met
- Aptitude for managing people & the ability to work as part of the team
- Liaise with health and allied professions at all levels
Desirable
- PhD in epidemiology or related biological science
- Knowledge of TB and non-tuberculous mycobacteria
- Experience of working in the NHS or UKHA
- Experience of working with molecular epidemiology data
- Knowledge of laboratory functioning and methods for mycobacteria and genomics
Please refer to the Job Description for a full list of essential and desirable skills
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 800 words) 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).
**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.**
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 role will involve an interview by video.
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. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 13th August 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: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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).
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