Epidemiology and Information Scientist

Identify evaluation and epidemiology science priorities which are focused on scientific, research or public health needs & co-ordinate activities to address those

Lead and collaborate on responsive and high impact evaluations

Provide a rapid evaluation and epidemiology science advice function to support standard & enhanced response Incident Management Teams (IMTs) as appropriate

Provide evaluation & epidemiology science advice to the Centres for Climate and Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness

Establish strategic links with key internal & external stakeholders including the Evaluation and Behavioural Science HPRU leading to delivery of joint priorities and external funding applications for discrete activities

Support the translation of scientific evidence into policy and practice as appropriate, working closely with the Behavioural Science & Insights Division and the Research Management & Knowledge Division.

The Epidemiology and Information Scientist will support colleagues in the provision of a range of activities including contributing to evaluation and epidemiological science priorities including investigations through designing questionnaires and databases, contributing to analyses and the production of scientific reports, and preparing descriptive epidemiology.

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

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

The main duties will include: Epidemiological Investigations

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 databases, prepare descriptive epidemiology, contribute to the production of scientific reports, 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.

Data & Epidemiological Analyses

Maintain and improve databases, test functionality of new systems, validate the quality of 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 evaluation and epidemiological science activities through assuring data quality, undertaking complex data analyses and seeking to improve and enhance databases and systems.

Produce routine 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, incidents and other activities 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 Division as a whole

Support the development of policies and protocols for use within the Division.

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 Division

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, You will be required to prepare a 5 minute presentation as part of the interview. The details of this will be based around an epidemiological analyses that you have performed., This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf) or our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.

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) on-site.

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).

Eligibility criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If you based at one of our Core HQs, the level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. If you are based at our Porton Down Scientific Campus, the level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

Educated to degree level in Public Health, Information Science , with a Master’s qualification in public health or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Demonstrable knowledge of epidemiological investigation, surveillance principles, and public health data management, including data quality, security, transmission, analysis, and reporting.

Strong analytical skills with experience applying descriptive epidemiology, basic statistical methods with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

Proficient in the use of epidemiological, statistical, database, and mapping software packages, including tools such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, or similar platforms.

Sound understanding of information governance requirements, including data protection and confidentiality

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders

Strong organisational, prioritisation, and time management skills, with the ability to work independently, and demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Desirable criteria

Training or experience in validating data including automated routines

Knowledge of health and social care environment, and an awareness of surveillance and epidemiology and information flows in the NHS and allied services

Line management experience including appraising staff and managing performance

Proven scientific report writing skills, Educated to degree level in Public Health, Information Science , with a Master’s qualification in public health or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Demonstrable knowledge of epidemiological investigation, surveillance principles, and public health data management, including data quality, security, transmission, analysis, and reporting., 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 to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

The Science, Strategy and Evidence Directorate leads on the development and strengthening of evaluation, epidemiological methods and behavioural sciences including research methods and evaluation of interventions for UKHSA. The Directorate provides expert support in ethics and research governance and ensures UKHSA has access to essential scientific evidence. It also implements and monitors UKHSA’s Science Strategy.

The Evaluation & Epidemiological Sciences (EES) Division delivers core functions across UKHSA aligned to the following areas, Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 500 words. We will not consider any words over 500 words.