The Field Services Division (FS) was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, infectious diseases and data sciences capacity and skills delivering surveillance and outbreak investigations consistently of the highest quality.

FS provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice as well as having a role in strengthening surveillance through closer links with the NHS and other partners. It also provides valuable links to academic centres and effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA applied epidemiology training function.

The Senior Scientist works closely with senior epidemiologist colleagues to provide epidemiological and data management support across a number of topic areas; and to the epidemiological investigation of incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and routine, supporting local Health Protection Teams and in collaboration with other partners.  This will include supporting and managing the technical and analytical aspects of epidemiological outbreak investigations and supporting a team in carrying out these tasks.

The interface with local, regional and national colleagues, as well as with external stakeholders, will be an important feature of this role.

Location

This role is based at the UKHSA Cambridge Forvie Site, Cambridge, CB2 0SR

With regular travel within the geographical area of responsibility and travel elsewhere/nationally as maybe required by the post

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates 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 the above UKHSA location (Cambridge) as this is considered a specialist role.

*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

Responsibilities section:

As a Senior Scientist your main responsibilities will include:

Surveillance and Data Analysis

• Identify surveillance needs within given lead areas, create surveillance system specifications, conduct complex statistical analyses and interpret surveillance data, making appropriate recommendations, develop automated routines and solutions and supervise / assure on the preparation, quality and delivery of routine and ad hoc surveillance reports.

Outbreak Support and Epidemiological Investigations

• Where appropriate, lead and manage the technical and analytical (including data management) aspects of epidemiological outbreak investigations, including the supervision of the investigation of exceedances, e.g. write protocol of analytical studies, contribute to the production of outbreak control team reports and train interviewers.

 Statistical and Software Skills

• Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms including time trend analysis and translate statistical processes into automated solutions where appropriate
• Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL and SharePoint in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions and undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation

Audit, Quality and Governance

• Advise on quality and governance issues including information security for all aspects of Field Service work, evaluating existing systems and acute response to incidents and outbreak, and use to improve standards and consistency across the team.

Research and project management

• Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other for a and publish and present scientific papers on public health surveillance, outbreaks and infectious disease control in collaboration with health, public health, academic and other partners

 Management and Leadership

• Actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues, identify potential problems and seek to resolve and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, on behalf of the service as a whole
• Support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager as well as the development of policies and protocols for use within the team/departments
• Undertake line management responsibilities as agreed, contribute to the supervision and training of junior staff allocated to the team and act as a role model adhering to UKHSA Values and Behaviours
• Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities (including to the development of teaching material and courses) on surveillance, epidemiology information science, data management, information governance and quality and support ongoing training activities within the team and Service.

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. Please review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):

Essential

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)
• MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education
• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
• Experience of interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses and performing analytical epidemiology
• Demonstrable experience of public health, health protection or epidemiology
• Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software packages
• Experience of effective line management
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
• Understanding of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills

• 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%

Job contact :

• Name : Harry McCullagh
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]