Job summary Field Services (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. The FS also provides effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA applied epidemiology training function. Main duties of the job The Epidemiology and Information Scientist will support senior epidemiologist colleagues in the provision of a range of activities including contributing to outbreak management and response and epidemiological investigation through designing questionnaires and outbreak databases, contributing to the production of outbreak reports and preparing descriptive epidemiology. Exceedances will also be investigated. The interface with local, regional and national colleagues, as well as with external stakeholders, will be an important feature of this role. Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions. Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation Where appropriate, undertake specific steps of an epidemiological study under direction including to design and develop questionnaires e.g. using Select Survey, design and administer outbreak databases, prepare descriptive epidemiology, contribute to the production of outbreak reports, investigate exceedances and interview cases and controls. Undertake complex analytical tasks and use common statistical, database and mapping software and tools to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs, maps etc. and developing advanced queries. Continues below About us 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. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Date posted 06 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £31,997 to £39,076 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number 919-LT-306085-EXT Job locations UKHSA Birmingham/Nottingham Birmingham/Nottingham B2 4BH Job description Job responsibilities Continued from above Surveillance and data analysis Maintain and improve databases for surveillance of infectious diseases, test functionality of new surveillance systems, validate the quality of surveillance data including use of automated routines and through audit and produce and update Standard Operating Procedures Have knowledge of, apply and interpret basic statistical tests, conduct statistical analyses of surveillance data, produce reports and outputs using common statistical/database/mapping tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, etc, respond to routine and more complex data requests and produce routine surveillance reports, including basic descriptive analysis and interpretation of results Contribute to surveillance activities through assuring data quality, undertaking complex data analyses and seeking to improve and enhance databases and systems. Produce routine surveillance reports that include basic descriptive analyses and interpretation. Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support analysis such as advanced querying, data validation and pivot tables. Research Support research through contribution to scientific papers and projects on public health surveillance, outbreaks and infectious disease control as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings Design a study database, and develop queries to analyse data, create automated reports, import/export data from a variety of sources, participate in the interpretation and analysis of research findings and the application of findings to practice and present internally or to local partners, present work/posters at scientific meetings and conferences Management and Leadership To act as role model adhering to team professional standards, actively engage in meetings, 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 the development of policies and protocols for use within the team/department. Contribute to specified quality improvement and governance initiatives as agreed. Support/lead projects and support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager. Learn and maintain up-to-date scientific knowledge regarding epidemiology, surveillance and relevant public health interventions and contribute to the supervision and training colleagues and others as requested. 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 Quality and governance Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and identify data quality issues through audit and ensure analysis and outputs are clearly presented in an appropriate context PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. safeguarding, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties 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 You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 listed 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) 1000 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 piles 'Meets all essential criteria' and 'Meets some essential criteria' through to shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on these lead criteria: Knowledge of epidemiological/outbreak investigation Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description). If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 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. Stage 2: Interview Competency-based You will be invited to a single remote interview. During the interview we will assess against the below: Knowledge and experience Skills and Abilities Equality and diversity There will be a 5 minute presentation- details to be confirmed to those who are invited to interview. Interviews will be held week commencing 7th April. 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. 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 either our Birmingham or Nottingham offices. 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, averagedover a month). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). 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. Job description Job responsibilities Continued from above Surveillance and data analysis Maintain and improve databases for surveillance of infectious diseases, test functionality of new surveillance systems, validate the quality of surveillance data including use of automated routines and through audit and produce and update Standard Operating Procedures Have knowledge of, apply and interpret basic statistical tests, conduct statistical analyses of surveillance data, produce reports and outputs using common statistical/database/mapping tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, etc, respond to routine and more complex data requests and produce routine surveillance reports, including basic descriptive analysis and interpretation of results Contribute to surveillance activities through assuring data quality, undertaking complex data analyses and seeking to improve and enhance databases and systems. Produce routine surveillance reports that include basic descriptive analyses and interpretation. Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support analysis such as advanced querying, data validation and pivot tables. Research Support research through contribution to scientific papers and projects on public health surveillance, outbreaks and infectious disease control as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings Design a study database, and develop queries to analyse data, create automated reports, import/export data from a variety of sources, participate in the interpretation and analysis of research findings and the application of findings to practice and present internally or to local partners, present work/posters at scientific meetings and conferences Management and Leadership To act as role model adhering to team professional standards, actively engage in meetings, 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 the development of policies and protocols for use within the team/department. Contribute to specified quality improvement and governance initiatives as agreed. Support/lead projects and support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager. Learn and maintain up-to-date scientific knowledge regarding epidemiology, surveillance and relevant public health interventions and contribute to the supervision and training colleagues and others as requested. 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 Quality and governance Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and identify data quality issues through audit and ensure analysis and outputs are clearly presented in an appropriate context PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. safeguarding, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties 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 You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 listed 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) 1000 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 piles 'Meets all essential criteria' and 'Meets some essential criteria' through to shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on these lead criteria: Knowledge of epidemiological/outbreak investigation Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description). If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 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. Stage 2: Interview Competency-based You will be invited to a single remote interview. During the interview we will assess against the below: Knowledge and experience Skills and Abilities Equality and diversity There will be a 5 minute presentation- details to be confirmed to those who are invited to interview. Interviews will be held week commencing 7th April. 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. 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 either our Birmingham or Nottingham offices. 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, averagedover a month). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). 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. Person Specification Qualification 1 Essential Degree in public health or information science or equivalent experience Qualification 2 Essential Masters qualification in relevant discipline (e.g. public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, other biological sciences or maths) or equivalent experience Knowledge and Experience 1 Essential Knowledge of epidemiological/outbreak investigation Knowledge and Experience 2 Essential Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail Knowledge and Experience 3 Essential Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting Knowledge and Experience 4 Essential Experience of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical software packages Knowledge and Experience 5 Essential Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements Skills and Capabilities 1 Essential Excellent oral and written communication skills Skills and Capabilities 2 Essential Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Skills and Capabilities 3 Essential Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders Person Specification Qualification 1 Essential Degree in public health or information science or equivalent experience Qualification 2 Essential Masters qualification in relevant discipline (e.g. public health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, other biological sciences or maths) or equivalent experience Knowledge and Experience 1 Essential Knowledge of epidemiological/outbreak investigation Knowledge and Experience 2 Essential Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail Knowledge and Experience 3 Essential Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting Knowledge and Experience 4 Essential Experience of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical software packages Knowledge and Experience 5 Essential Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements Skills and Capabilities 1 Essential Excellent oral and written communication skills Skills and Capabilities 2 Essential Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Skills and Capabilities 3 Essential Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency Address UKHSA Birmingham/Nottingham Birmingham/Nottingham B2 4BH Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)