Job Title: Principal Scientist (Epidemiology) Job Location: London, UK Job Location Type: Hybrid Job Contract Type: Full-time Job Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level Job Summary UKHSA is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity to work in the Hepatitis Section of the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV (BSHSH) Division of the Clinical & Public Health Directorate. We are recruiting a Principal Scientist to lead the Drugs and Infections team focusing on the surveillance of blood borne viruses (BBVs), behaviours and interventions among people who inject drugs. The post holder will provide critical scientific advice and leadership to ensure the highest standards in BBV surveillance and related research; design and implement highly specialised multidisciplinary surveillance systems; provide expert scientific advice on infectious disease outbreaks and BBV exposures; manage large programmes of work across BBV; deliver national surveillance and policy reports and lead on engagement with external stakeholders across the BBV commissioning landscape. The postholder will develop existing research partnerships with external research institutions as well as develop and implement new research proposals and projects. Job Description Manage and direct the work of the Drugs and Infections team in the Hepatitis Section of the BSHSH Division Lead the co-ordination, management and development of the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring (UAM) Survey of People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) and other surveillance systems designed to monitor infections and behaviours in this population including needle and syringe provision and severe bacterial infections among PWID Design and lead epidemiological analyses on trends in and risk factors for blood-borne viruses among PWID Provide scientific support to UKHSA’s responses to outbreaks Lead on development of national reports and programme management Liaise effectively with clinical and public health colleagues to influence decision-making We are recruiting a Principal Scientist to join the hepatitis team in the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division. The post holder will: Provide critical scientific advice and leadership to ensure the highest standards in blood borne virus (BBV) and other hepatitides surveillance and related research Design and implement highly specialised multidisciplinary surveillance systems Design and lead epidemiological analyses on trends and risk factors Provide expert scientific advice on infectious disease outbreaks and exposures Manage large programmes of work across BBVs and other hepatitides Deliver national surveillance and policy reports, and lead on engagement with external stakeholders across the BBV commissioning landscape. Manage and direct the work of teams within the hepatitis team and liaise effectively with clinical and public health colleagues to influence decision-making. Develop existing research partnerships with external research institutions as well as develop and implement new research proposals and projects. Provide support to and work closely with the Immunisation & Vaccine Preventable Disease Division to provide expert public health advice and leadership on vaccine preventable diseases and outbreaks, including those related to hepatitis. Person specification For a full list of essential and desirable criteria, please see the attached job description. You will be assessed on the below 14 essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description. Essential Criteria Degree in a relevant scientific subject (e.g. biology) or significant experience of working at a similar level in this field Higher degree in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or related discipline PhD or equivalent research experience and substantial post-graduate experience in a relevant field e.g. biology Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and/or public health Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention including STIs and BBVs Broad understanding of and experience of health care systems, public health and the communicable disease function in the UK Creating, validating and managing large databases and datasets Advanced statistical analysis of large and complex datasets, including knowledge and experience with STATA and/or R Writing research protocols, grant applications and scientific reports Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures, and project plans Presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings and conferences and proven peer review publication record Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and motivate and encourage team members Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues including problem solving, working to tight and often changing timescales. Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly Alongside your salary of £58,589, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,973 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Selection process details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, skills and experience in reference to the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 14 essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description and this will be in the form of a: Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) a 1500 word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together. In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead essential criteria: Degree in a relevant scientific subject (e.g. biology) or significant experience of working at a similar level in this field If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment Please do not exceed 1500 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 (single) remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview There will be a presentation. Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Selection Process Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV. Eligibility Criteria External- Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ Security Clearance Level Requirement If based at one of our scientific locations you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. International Police check If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. Careers website Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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 Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Lisa Tweedie Email : Recruitment team Email : Further information 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: 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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/ http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/6889867 Lifelancer ( https://lifelancer.com ) is a talent-hiring platform in Life Sciences, Pharma and IT. The platform connects talent with opportunities in pharma, biotech, health sciences, healthtech and IT domains. 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