Job summary
- Main area
- Epidemiology
- Grade
- Civil Service: Grade 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 919-BC-30362075-EXT
- Employer
- UK Health Security Agency
- Employer type
- Public (Non NHS)
- Site
- 61 Colindale Avenue
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £55,799 - £65,089 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/05/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Principal Scientist (Epidemiology)
Civil Service: Grade 7
Job overview
We are looking for two principal epidemiologists to take leading roles in maintaining and developing surveillance systems for vaccine preventable diseases and have oversight of the transition of surveillance data within the division to a new SQL and R-based environment. They will oversee the epidemiological evaluation of vaccine preventable diseases using national datasets, including laboratory data, and lead on the annual reporting of vaccine preventable disease epidemiology to WHO and project manage specific research studies of vaccine preventable diseases. In addition, the post holder will contribute to the investigation and control of outbreaks including development of new analyses and the support of other scientists and colleagues working directly in these areas.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop processes for streamlining analysis of surveillance data, production of outputs. Lead on transfer of existing vaccine preventable disease surveillance systems into SQL and R-based environments
- Lead continued provision of data from different central datasets used alongside laboratory testing data for surveillance of vaccine programmes
- Lead development of existing surveillance systems, manage scientific staff responsible for data collection to improve and enhance quality of data collected and disseminated
- Lead collaborative surveillance within UKHSA between the Immunisation Department and UKHSA specialist and reference laboratories, providing epidemiological expertise to regular meetings with virology staff from UKHSA Specialist Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate
- Supervise routine surveillance and related reporting for Health Protection Report, WHO reports and other internal/external communications
- Provide specialist advice on epidemiology and interpretation of available statistics on vaccine preventable/respiratory virus diseases in response to requests for information from NHS, DHSC, WHO and other organisations
- Participate in investigation of incidents and outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in England as requested by lead consultant or deputy director of the Division
- Write and publish results of research and surveillance studies in peer-review journals, present these papers at national & international meetings/conferences
Working for our 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Vaccines have been identified as a key strategic priority for UKHSA. The Immunisation and Vaccine-preventable Diseases Division (in the Public Health Programmes Directorate of the Clinical and Public Health Group) is responsible for the national surveillance of most vaccine preventable infections and in providing technical support and clinical expertise to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and to the NHS in planning and delivering the national immunisation programmes. These programmes provide millions of vaccines per year, across the whole life course, and are delivered in a range of NHS settings. The division also provides secretariat to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation who recommend any changes to the national immunisation programme and publish “Immunisation Against Infectious Disease” – the single authoritative source of immunisation advice for health professionals.
The division evaluates the national programme by generating high quality data on disease incidence, vaccine coverage, age-specific immunity, vaccine efficacy and safety and analysis of vaccine policy options (with the statistics and modelling divisions). Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and vaccine coverage data are vital components of the evaluation of vaccination programmes in the UK. These data inform the understanding of the epidemiology of different infections and the public health impact of vaccination programmes and help develop and improve control strategies.
The Immunisation and Vaccine-preventable Disease Division is looking for an experienced and highly-capable public health / epidemiology scientist with advanced data skills and well-developed skills in epidemiological assessment to join a team working on the surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases. They are expected to achieve the specific duties with a high degree of autonomy and through working with staff from a wide range of disciplines in the NHS, UKHSA, and other organisations. They will provide leadership in the production development and enhancement of surveillance systems and production of surveillance reports. The post holder will represent the Immunisation & Vaccine Prevention Diseases Division, UKHSA as appropriate, in local, national and international initiatives and meetings. S/he will deputise for the Divisional consultant/ Grade 6 scientific staff when appropriate.
Essential criteria
- First degree in a science subject or equivalent experience in the subject matter
- Higher degree in epidemiology or an allied subject (MSc or PhD)
- Extensive experience in infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance.
- Ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological and situational awareness data. Extensive experience of collating, understanding and reporting situational analysis outputs.
- Effective communication of epidemiological assessments to colleagues and external agencies, including high level stakeholders.
- High level abilities in statistical and graphics packages/environments, and use of databases and spreadsheets (e.g. R and SQL)
- Presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings and conferences.
Desirable criteria
- PhD in epidemiology or an allied subject
- Experience of supporting the delivering of change and transformation initiatives from end to end, into a live operation
Selection Process
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based assessments
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
- a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 750 words Statement of Suitability.
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.
The CV and Statement of Suitability will be marked together, and you must pass both to move forward to interview
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on having extensive relevant experience in infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a face to face interview
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
There will be a Technical Test and a Presentation.
Interviews are scheduled to be held week commencing 13th May 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location information
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 your contractual location - Colindale. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
Eligibility Criteria
External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
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 (BPSS).
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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.
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
Starting salary
Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.
Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet - Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment
Face to Face interviews
If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Essential criteria
- First degree in a science subject or equivalent experience in the subject matter
- Higher degree in epidemiology or an allied subject (MSc or PhD)
- Extensive experience in infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance
- Ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological and situational awareness data. Extensive experience of collating, understanding and reporting situational analysis outputs
- Effective communication of epidemiological assessments to colleagues and external agencies, including high level stakeholders
- High level abilities in statistical and graphics packages/environments, and use of databases and spreadsheets (e.g. R and SQL)
- Presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings and conferences
Desirable criteria
- PhD in epidemiology or an allied subject
- Experience of supporting the delivering of change and transformation initiatives from end to end, into a live operation
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Julia Stowe
- Job title
- Lead Epidemiologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For information regarding the role please contact Julia Stowe - Lead Epidemiologist - [email protected]
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