Job vacancy: Biosurveillance Research Scientist, UK Health Security Agency, Porton, Salisbury

Job summary

Main area

Public Health Microbiology - Virology & Pathogenesis

Grade

Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Part time
Job share
Flexible working

37.5 hours per week

Job ref

919-SH-302339-EXT

Employer: UK Health Security Agency
Employer type: Public (Non NHS)
Site: Scientific Campus
Town: Porton, Salisbury
Salary: £33,422 - £40,731 Per annum, pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 08/04/2026 23:59

Biosurveillance Research Scientist

Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

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

Sample Collection

The post holder will support the collection of high-quality samples that underpin all downstream laboratory and analytical work:

Fieldwork: Plan and deliver targeted collection of sentinel animal and vector samples across the UK. Prepare equipment and consumables, coordinate travel and sampling logistics, and carry out precise outdoor sampling under varied conditions. Perform initial sample processing and accurate data capture in the field.
Citizen science initiatives: Engage with external organisations to promote studies; produce presentations and written materials; communicate with volunteers; prepare and dispatch study packs; manage consumables; process and test returned samples; and generate individual result reports.
Human serosurveillance sessions: Assist in organising and running sampling sessions, liaising with participants, greeting attendees, reviewing questionnaires and supporting efficient session flow.

These activities produce the samples on which all subsequent laboratory and analytical work depend upon.

Laboratory Processing and Responsibilities

After collection, the post holder will process samples through established laboratory workflows:

Conduct serological assays (e.g., ELISA) and molecular methods (e.g., extraction and PCR) on animal, vector and human samples.
Create, maintain and manage biobanks, ensuring sample traceability and integrity.
Support laboratory supervision, ensuring equipment availability, safe working practices and compliance with legislation.

This laboratory work bridges field sampling and data analysis, ensuring high quality outputs and reliable results for downstream interpretation.

Data Analysis, Interpretation and Dissemination

The post holder will then carry data from raw laboratory results through to analysis, contributing to:

Developing and maintaining R based data preparation pipelines.
Conduct statistical analysis, modelling and data visualisation, including spatial analysis through GIS.
Produce reports for internal and external stakeholders, present findings at meetings and conferences, and contribute to scientific manuscripts.
Perform accurate data entry from questionnaires, field records and laboratory documentation.

General Responsibilities

The role requires excellent communication skills, careful record keeping and adherence to UK GDPR and relevant legislation. The post holder will interact with volunteers, study participants, stakeholders and partner organisations, representing the biosurveillance team professionally.

Travel across the UK is required for fieldwork and sampling sessions, and a valid UK driving licence is essential.

The above is not an exhaustive list, and is only an outline of the core components, tasks and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

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

Essential Criteria

BSc virology, microbiology, epidemiology, zoology, life science or related biological sciences field.
Experience of contributing to vector-borne disease and/or zoonosis surveillance programmes using a variety of methods, including citizen science.
Experience of database development and maintenance, data manipulation and management, data visualisation (including GIS) and statistical analysis methods.
Knowledge and practical experience of ELISA and RT-PCR techniques, including application of methods for high volume sample processing.
Clear, confident communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences, including members of the public.
Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
Effective organiser with the ability to multitask.
Good record keeping and attention to detail.
Evidence of success in efficient and effective project planning.
Hold a valid UK driving licence as there will be a requirement to travel at times regarding fieldwork and sampling sessions.

Desirable Criteria

Skills modelling or statistical analysis of quantitative data, coding in ‘R’ or other statistical programming language.
Fieldwork experience involving animal, vector or ecological studies, such as small mammal trapping.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 11 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
Up to 750 word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, abilities, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

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 CV – please be advised you 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.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all Essential Criteria
Meets some Essential Criteria
Meets no Essential Criteria

Only those that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following 2 Essential Criteria:

Experience of contributing to vector-borne disease and/or zoonosis surveillance programmes using a variety of methods, including citizen science.
Experience of database development and maintenance, data manipulation and management, data visualisation (including GIS) and statistical analysis methods.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In certain circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Location and interview dates to be confirmed.

Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours being assessed during the interview will be as follows:

Working Together - Lead Behaviour
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing

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). 

Salary Details

HEO National: £33,422 - £40,731 per annum, pro rata

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

If based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have 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.

Person specification

Application form and supporting Statement

Essential criteria

Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential criteria

Working Together - Lead Behaviour
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing

Questions

Essential criteria

Experience

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Link below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers

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

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.