Epidemiologist

• Develop, manage and maintain gastrointestinal pathogen surveillance systems (including surveillance databases) and produce comprehensive surveillance data outputs for both internal and external stakeholders, incorporating whole genome sequencing and epidemiological data.
• Develop automated analytical solutions, respond to complex or sensitive data requests, and contribute to public health scientific reports and peer reviewed publications.
• Undertake and coordinate routine analysis of national surveillance data to support the wider GIFSOH team, such as the detection, investigation and management of national outbreaks of GI illness.

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

• Manage existing national surveillance systems and co-ordinate the development of new surveillance systems for gastrointestinal pathogens and to supervise and advise junior scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance and development of integrated or enhanced surveillance datasets.
• Conduct complex statistical analyses of data on gastrointestinal pathogens drawn from a variety of surveillance sources in response to enquiries from external stakeholders (e.g. other Government departments and agencies such as Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC), Food Standards Agency (FSA), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) etc), international agencies, public health practitioners, academics and members of the public as well as internal UKHSA stakeholders.
• Apply a broad range of statistical methods, translating analytical processes into automated, reproducible solutions where appropriate, alongside use of statistical, database, mapping and web tools such as STATA, R, ArcGIS, SQL and SharePoint in routine surveillance and reporting, and undertake complex analytical, programming and data validation tasks to support data extraction and system development
• Advise and support scientific and administrative staff in conducting routine analyses of surveillance datasets for standardised outputs and ad hoc enquiries.
• Supervise junior scientific colleagues and the administrative team in the production of standard GI pathogen surveillance and outbreak reports and publications.
• Coordinate the activities of scientists in partner institutes involved in collaborative surveillance and/or research programmes.
• Provide technical advice and assistance on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of surveillance database outputs.
• Assist in the design and development of new surveillance and data management systems in response to developments in the application of microbiological typing methods including contributing to the drafting of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Write or contribute to the drafting of scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and detailed reports for UKHSA or Government departments.
• Conduct complex statistical analyses of data on gastrointestinal pathogens drawn from a variety of surveillance sources to inform decision-making and in response to enquiries from other Government agencies (DHSC, FSA, DEFRA), international agencies, public health practitioners, academics and internal UKHSA stakeholders.
• Collating and interpreting epidemiological and microbiological data drawn from a variety of sources.
• Writing Briefing Notes (BNs) and Situation Reports (SitReps).
• Present epidemiological findings at national and international meetings and conferences.
• Update the gastrointestinal infections webpages with data and associated information.
• Manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the Lead Epidemiologist/Consultant Epidemiologist.

Other responsibilities

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by GIFSOH Division.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Professional Development

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training/development needs with your line manager through appraisal/individual development plan.
• Attend internal/external training events

• MSc or equivalent experience in Public Health, Epidemiology, or an allied subject (e.g. environmental health, infectious disease, global health).
• Experience of postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject(e.g. environmental health, infectious disease, global health).
• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data management, data validation, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting.
• Significant experience of analysing, interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using databases, statistical and graphics packages to an advanced level (e.g. R skills).
• Demonstrable experience of outbreak investigation.
• Demonstrable experience of writing scientific papers and/or reports.
• Ability to create and give presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders and an ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific industry specialists.

• Thorough understanding of recent advances in the epidemiology and microbiology of infectious intestinal disease and presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences.
• Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journal.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1000, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over1000words.

Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications,we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• MSc or equivalent experience in Public Health, Epidemiology, or an allied subject
• Experience of postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject.
• Demonstrable experience of outbreak investigationIf you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single face to faceinterview at our site in Colindale

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

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

Essential: - Application Form & Supporting Statement

Essential: - Questions on Experience, Knowledge & Skills