Job vacancy: Senior Scientist, UK Health Security Agency, London

Job summary

Main area

Scientist

Grade

SEO

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Part time
Job share
Flexible working

37.5 hours per week

Job ref

919-ROG-308326-EXT

Employer: UK Health Security Agency
Employer type: Public (Non NHS)
Site: Colindale
Town: London
Salary: £44,852 - £50,472 Per annum, Pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 03/06/2025 23:59

Senior Scientist

SEO

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Senior Scientist
The work of the team covers a range of activities and the postholder will work across both the travel health and IHR functions. They will support the national focal point function under the International Health Regulations (IHR) by:
• Contributing to the day-to-day management of IHR National Focal Point inbox and phone line, including responding to international contact tracing situations, drafting notifications for WHO and the European Commission, managing information requests to and from international partners, supervising and advising other scientists as appropriate, UKHSA Incident Management Teams with international communications and ensuring that all emails are responded to appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Contributing to and supporting other scientists on the Event Information Site (EIS) Duty Scientist rota, ensuring that international public health event information is disseminated within the UK territories efficiently and appropriately and co-ordinating responses, as required.
• Coordinating the UK State Parties Annual Self-Assessment (SPAR) activity report for WHO and support work on the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

The postholder will also have key responsibilities within the surveillance and reporting work undertaken by the team. Alongside other members of the team, they will:
• Take scientific responsibility for national surveillance of selected travel-associated infections in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Identify gaps in surveillance activities related to travel-associated infections and contribute to the design and development of new surveillance initiatives in collaboration with other parts of UKHSA.
• Contribute to complex epidemiological analysis and interpretation of surveillance data relating to travel-associated infections and ensure the data outputs for the relevant GOV.UK pages and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), as well as any other ad hoc reports, are timely and accurate.

Alongside routine work undertaken by the team, they also will form an integral part of international event and outbreak response work when required, by:
• Monitoring clusters of infection in UK residents in tourist resorts abroad and conduct appropriate public health responses to these; this may involve communication with wider UKHSA, the tourist industry, other international public health institutions and WHO.
• Undertaking risk assessments in collaboration with National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and UKHSA disease specific teams in response to international outbreaks or natural disasters that may affect UK travellers.
• With other section members and as required, supporting those at local, regional or national level who are managing incidents or outbreaks that have an international dimension and/or are relevant under IHR or which affect the health of travellers specifically.

The postholder will also:
• Contribute to scientific reports and papers for publication
• Produce regular and ad hoc topic specific surveillance reports on a variety of travel-associated infections
• Present at specialist meetings
• Contribute data and expertise to the production of advice and official guidance
• Take part in the provision of travel advice and outputs published by NaTHNaC
• Contribute to teaching and training
• Manage scientific staff and undertake their annual appraisals

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. They may be asked to deputise and cover as necessary for colleagues during annual leave, study leave and other absences and will be expected to be able to work independently.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Selection Process Details

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

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge, experience, skills & abilities.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 12 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of

Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)

a 1250 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.

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

If longlisting is used- meets all and meets some essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

Experience in data management, analysis and reporting.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competancy based)

You will be invited to a single remote interview

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing TBC, 2025

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

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

Location

his role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. 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). If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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 (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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. 

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 a Counter-terrorist Check (CTC).

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or equivalent experience
Educated to master’s degree level in science or health related topic or equivalent level qualification, or experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

Desirable criteria

Training in epidemiology and/or public health

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

Knowledge and experience of using computer and database software packages (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
Experience in data management, analysis and reporting
Experience in scientific report writing and scientific presentations
Experience of working in epidemiology, communicable disease surveillance, public health or the health sector

Desirable criteria

Experience of staff management

Skills and capabilities

Essential criteria

Work as a team member
Liaise with a range of health and other professionals
Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly and tailor communication to a broad range of stakeholders including the public
Identify and solve day-to-day practical problems
Maintain required levels of confidentiality and handle sensitive issues with tact and understanding

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

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.

This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.

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

For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.

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. 

Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.

Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.

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 equality of opportunity. 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 here.

Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.

If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

 Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday
Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.

Hybrid Working

UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.

Disability Confident Scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview.   If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.

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 take into account 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 could be time accrued over that period.

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.

Security Vetting

Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels