Epidemiology and Surveillance Officer - #1685246
UK Health Security Agency
Date: 14 hours ago
City: London
Contract type: Full time
Work schedule: Full day
Colindale, Porton Down or Chilton (Oxfordshire)
Job Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a unique team working on national and international environmental epidemiology projects. We explore the health impacts from a wide range of environmental exposures, including chemicals, air pollution and climate change.
The post will involve actively supporting and contributing to epidemiology projects including research and surveillance, incident and outbreak management and response, contributing to the production of epidemiology reports and preparing descriptive and analytical epidemiology.
The post holder will support research through their contribution to scientific papers and projects as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings. This is a fixed term contract up until 01/04/2026 to cover maternity leave, providing a public health scientist a chance to widen their experience by working on environmental epidemiology projects.
The Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental Hazard Directorate (RCCE) provides advice, research and services to protect the public from hazards resulting from exposure to chemicals and poisons, radiation (both ionising and non-ionising) and ultrasound and infrasound. The Centre also leads for UKHSA on developing surveillance and intelligence on environmental hazards, exposures and related health outcomes. The headquarters for the Directorate is based at the Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire.
Working for your 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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
The post holder will be responsible for the day to day management of the information function within the Environmental Epidemiology Group including the line management of information staff and would be required to:
Cluster and outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
Software Skills
Person specification
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
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
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.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
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
You will be invited to a face to face interview which will be held at our office in Chilton, Oxfordshire. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
There will be a presentation.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
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.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our Scientific Campuses. 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) working at one of UKHSA's scientific campus sites in Colindale, Porton Down or Chilton.
Please note that there would a requirement for the successful candidate to be in the Chilton offices once a week on Thursdays.
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 clearance.
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 clearance. 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.
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 security 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.
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 security 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:
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.
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).
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 :
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: [email protected] 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/7133614
Job Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join a unique team working on national and international environmental epidemiology projects. We explore the health impacts from a wide range of environmental exposures, including chemicals, air pollution and climate change.
The post will involve actively supporting and contributing to epidemiology projects including research and surveillance, incident and outbreak management and response, contributing to the production of epidemiology reports and preparing descriptive and analytical epidemiology.
The post holder will support research through their contribution to scientific papers and projects as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings. This is a fixed term contract up until 01/04/2026 to cover maternity leave, providing a public health scientist a chance to widen their experience by working on environmental epidemiology projects.
The Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental Hazard Directorate (RCCE) provides advice, research and services to protect the public from hazards resulting from exposure to chemicals and poisons, radiation (both ionising and non-ionising) and ultrasound and infrasound. The Centre also leads for UKHSA on developing surveillance and intelligence on environmental hazards, exposures and related health outcomes. The headquarters for the Directorate is based at the Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire.
Working for your 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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
The post holder will be responsible for the day to day management of the information function within the Environmental Epidemiology Group including the line management of information staff and would be required to:
Cluster and outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
- Oversee the information and data management to support a cluster or outbreak or epidemiological investigation
- Provide expert advice on information governance aspects of information management and response
- Identify surveillance needs within Environmental Public Health Tracking and EPHSS
- Develop and oversee surveillance systems (where appropriate) and advise on information management and governance issues
- Evaluate existing surveillance systems through audit
- Oversee and respond to more complex or sensitive data requests and identify common themes or issues to be addressed
- Analyse and interpret surveillance data, developing automated routines and solutions
- Manage/supervise information staff in the development of outputs and statistical analysis
- Advise on the information governance aspects of a study database
- Contribute to scientific papers on public health surveillance, clusters, outbreaks and environmental public health
- Analyse datasets with appropriate methodology to support research
- Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms including time trend analysis and to support analyses
- Translate statistical processes in to automated solutions where appropriate
- Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, SharePoint etc. in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions
- Undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation
- Present internally and externally to partners on lead area / specialty
- Manage partnership arrangements and relationships with stakeholders in the development of surveillance and data needs
- Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other fora.
- Teach colleagues on all aspects of data, information management and governance
- Teach colleagues and stakeholders on surveillance and epidemiology, and develop teaching material and courses
- Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners
- Actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues
- Identify potential problems and seek to resolve
- Undertake a lead role for a specific information management function or area, on behalf of the Department as a whole
- Advise on all aspects of information governance including information security Contribute to the quality programme e.g. through audit (from an information management perspective) and produce recommendations
- Be responsible for the quality of data collected, stored and extracted and transferred
- Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these
- Lead and motivate team members
- Effectively appraise, manage performance, and address
- Supervise other team members
- Be recruiting manager for relevant posts
- Coordinate and lead projects such as the implementation of new systems and processes
Software Skills
- Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, SharePoint etc. in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions
- Undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation
- Present internally and externally to partners on lead area / specialty
- Manage partnership arrangements and relationships with stakeholders in the development of surveillance and data needs
- Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other fora.
- Teach colleagues on all aspects of data, information management and governance
- Teach colleagues and stakeholders on surveillance and epidemiology, and develop teaching material and courses
- Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners
- Actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues
- Identify potential problems and seek to resolve
- Undertake a lead role for a specific information management function or area, on behalf of the Department as a whole
- Advise on all aspects of information governance including information security Contribute to the quality programme e.g. through audit (from an information management perspective) and produce recommendations
- Be responsible for the quality of data collected, stored and extracted and transferred
- Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these
- Lead and motivate team members
- Effectively appraise, manage performance, and address
- Supervise other team members
- Be recruiting manager for relevant posts
- Coordinate and lead projects such as the implementation of new systems and processes
Person specification
- Educated to degree level in epidemiology/public health or equivalent experience
- Higher qualification in information management / science, public health, epidemiology or equivalent experience
- Knowledge and understanding of concepts around statistical and epidemiological analyses, interpreting the results, evaluating the implications and making recommendations
- Experience in all aspects of the design, development, and implementation of epidemiological studies
- Ability to select appropriate analysis to analyse complex data and interpret the results
- Expert skills and knowledge of both common and specialist statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, SharePoint etc.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with excellent accuracy and attention to detail
- Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders.
- 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%
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
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 1500 word Statement of Suitability
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
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.
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
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Knowledge and understanding of concepts around statistical and epidemiological analyses, interpreting the results, evaluating the implications and making recommendations
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
You will be invited to a face to face interview which will be held at our office in Chilton, Oxfordshire. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
There will be a presentation.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
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.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our Scientific Campuses. 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) working at one of UKHSA's scientific campus sites in Colindale, Porton Down or Chilton.
Please note that there would a requirement for the successful candidate to be in the Chilton offices once a week on Thursdays.
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 clearance.
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 clearance. 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.
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 security 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.
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 security 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
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.
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).
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 : Jon Payne
- Email : [email protected]
- Email : [email protected]
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: [email protected] 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/7133614
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