Senior Scientist (Epidemiologist)
UK Health Security Agency
Colindale, NW9 5EQView on map(opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Salary
£46,310 to £52,113
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Not specified
Closing date
18 September 2026
7 days leftJob description
The post is based in the Public Health Programmes Directorate, working in the Immunisation & Vaccine Preventable Diseases (IVPD) Division. Vaccines ha...
- Contribute to enhanced surveillance systems and research studies of respiratory diseases
- Lead and support on data collection and validation, and production of routine surveillance intelligence in these areas.
- 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.
This post 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.
Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
- Develop, manage and maintain the surveillance databases.
- Manage existing national surveillance systems and co-ordinate the development of new surveillance systems for acute vaccine preventable diseases and to supervise and advise junior scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance and development of surveillance datasets.
- Conduct complex statistical analyses of data on vaccine preventable disease pathogens drawn from a variety of surveillance sources in response to ad hoc enquiries from Government agencies, international agencies, public health practitioners, academics and members of the public.
- Advise scientific and administrative staff 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 surveillance reports and publications.
- 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 scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and detailed reports for UKHSA or Government departments.
- Manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the Consultant lead, by:
- designing outbreak databases
- liaising with relevant specialists to collect epidemiological data
- coordinating and advising incident teams
- interviewing clinicians and patients to collect clinical and risk factor data during incidents
- overseeing data entry and ensuring quality control of databases
- collating and interpreting epidemiological and microbiological data drawn from a variety of sources
- conducting complex statistical analyses of datasets
- providing statistical analyses for government agencies
- writing briefing notes and situation reports
- presenting epidemiological data to Incident Management Teams
- contributing to the production of outbreak reports and subsequent publications.
- Contribute to the development of research proposals.
- Coordinate the collection and collation of data from collaborators.
- Conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological and microbiological data for grant funded research projects and UKHSA programmes.
- Provide complex statistical analyses of surveillance/research datasets to academic units and other agencies involved in collaborative research studies under the guidance of the project leader.
- Contribute to the process of writing scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and project reports to funding bodies.
Publications and presentations
- Supervise staff in the production of departmental web outputs and editorial material.
- Present epidemiological findings at national and international meetings and conferences.
- Develop and present lectures and teaching materials on the epidemiology and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases for UKHSA, university postgraduate and professional development training programmes.
- Contribute to the training for new members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
- Attend internal and external training events.
- Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training
- Higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject.
- Postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject.
- Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical packages (R) to an advanced level
- Ability to work independently and take responsibility for own technical work and time and to work as an effective team member
- Managing epidemiological studies and outbreak investigation and statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets
- Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly to include excellent oral and written communication skills
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable criteria
- Having a thorough understanding of recent advances in the epidemiology and microbiology of vaccine preventable diseases and presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences.
- Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders and an ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific specialists.
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 7essential 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 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000 words. 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.
Shortlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:
- Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical packages (R) to an advanced level.
- Postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject.
Desirable criteria may be usedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.
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
Application Form and Supporting Statement
Essential: - Application form and Supporting Statement
Essential Criteria
Essential: - Questions on experience, knowledge and skills
Presentation
Essential: - Presentation
How to apply
Applications are handled entirely by the employer on the original advert. We do not collect CVs, supporting statements or application data.
Provenance
Source
NHS Jobs
First seen
4 September 2026
Last checked
8 September 2026
Salary, closing date and description are taken from the employer's advert. The original advert always takes precedence.
About the employer
NHS organisation
This listing was structured from NHS Jobs. Vacancy details and the application process remain the responsibility of the original source.
Similar roles
Explore related