Job Title: Senior Scientist Job Location: London, UK Job Location Type: Hybrid Job Contract Type: Full-time Job Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level Location Colindale About The Job Job summary This post within the Immunisations and Vaccine Preventable Diseases provides epidemiological and data management support across a number of areas. The post holder will contribute to enhanced surveillance systems and research studies of respiratory diseases and lead and support the data collection and validation, and production of routine surveillance intelligence in these areas. You will analyse and interpret surveillance data and develop automated routines and solutions as well as overseeing and responding to more complex or sensitive data requests. This will be through their application of, and expertise in, analytical, statistical, database, mapping and web tools, underpinned by knowledge of information and data science approaches. You will also carry out the epidemiological investigation of incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases, supporting others across the directorate, local Health Protection Teams and in collaboration with other partners. This will include the design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of analytical studies in a variety of settings and supporting team members in carrying out these tasks. The post holder will contribute to public health scientific analyses and writing reports on specific projects, regular and ad hoc publications and peer reviewed publications. Job Description 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. Respond to complex or sensitive data requests Where appropriate, lead and manage the technical and analytical Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms and translate statistical processes into automated solutions where appropriate Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, Access, SQL and SharePoint in routine reports, surveillance activities Advise on quality and governance issues including information security for all aspects of surveillance work, evaluating existing systems, and use to improve standards and consistency across the team Contribute to the Immunisation and Countermeasures Department quality programme Project manage research studies, analysing datasets with appropriate methodology to answer research questions Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other for a and publish and present scientific papers on public health surveillance, respiratory viruses and infectious disease control Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners Person specification Essential criteria: You will be assessed on the below (11) essential and (3) desirable criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description. A degree in a 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 Demonstrable experience of public health, health protection or epidemiology including experience of complex and/or sensitive health data analyses Knowledge and experience of common statistical tests, modelling and analyses and interpret results appropriately, including for research purposes Understand of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders Able to work under own initiative, respond to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner Desirable criteria: Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journals Experience of teaching epidemiology and/or surveillance Experience of effective line management Benefits Alongside your salary of £44,852, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,993 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% Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift Competency-based assessment. You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential and desirable criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 750 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. The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria We will take through the following piles through to the next stage: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Shortlisting: If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and 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 (single) face to face interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview There will be a technical assessment, and a Presentation. The technical assessment will be sent to you prior to the interview to complete and return. You will also be required to prepare a 7 minute presentation. 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 (for apps via Trac) Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Eligibility Criteria - External Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our office in Colindale. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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). 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 Counter-terrorist Check. 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). 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. Face to Face interviews If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. 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/ 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). Apply and further information 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 : Gurkamal Bhambra 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/ 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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