Senior Epidemiology Scientist

Job summary

Senior Epidemiology Scientist G7 post will be based within the Evaluation and Epidemiological Science (EES) Division of the Science Strategy and Evidence (SSE) Directorate.

The function of this post is to provide critical leadership to, and delivery of, a programme of impactful evaluations that address knowledge gaps in the effectiveness and proportionality of contact tracing methods. The postholder will lead and influence colleagues and stakeholders; ensure rigour of methodology and outputs across a number of evaluations; and pursue funding opportunities for additional research proposals.

The interface with local, regional and national colleagues, as well as with external stakeholders, will be an important feature of this role.

Job description

• You will provide strategic leadership for epidemiological & evaluation activities in health protection response, with particular focus on contact tracing. You will lead the delivery of a rolling research and evaluation agenda for UKHSA. This will include identifying and developing methods to answer key questions relating to contact tracing approaches and experiences, generating robust evidence to inform advice and decision-making.
• You will lead, manage and assure the scientific, analytical and technical quality of evaluation and epidemiological activities, while supporting and developing staff. Responsibilities may include managing a portfolio of programmes, projects and team members.
• You will lead the production of project reports, routine & ad hoc publications, and peer-reviewed papers, working with a high degree of autonomy and professional accountability. You must be able to build effective relationships and influence decision-making across a range of stakeholders.
• You should demonstrate experience of developing and managing projects and delivering high-quality scientific outputs. They will have strong attention to detail, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
• The role includes line management responsibilities, contributing to teaching & training, leading meetings with internal and external colleagues, undertaking mandatory & professional development training, and supporting evolving organisational priorities through additional duties as required.

Data & Epidemiological Analyses

• Identify evaluation and epidemiology science needs within contact tracing; conduct complex statistical analyses, interpret surveillance data, make recommendations and translate findings into public health action.
• Authorise/manage complex or sensitive data requests and oversee the development of outputs and statistical analyses.
• Plan, implement and maintain high-quality epidemiological and evaluation outputs to meet stakeholder needs, providing expert technical advice while considering current and future political, economic, scientific, technological, legal and environmental influences.
• Take a lead role in public health scientific analyses and the production of project reports, regular and ad hoc publications, and peer-reviewed papers.

Epidemiological Investigations

• Lead and manage the technical and analytical aspects of epidemiological investigations, including advising on study design, writing protocols, overseeing questionnaire design and study databases, training interviewers, preparing reports, and supervising investigations.

Strategic Thinking and Partnership Working

• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners across the CSO Group, UKHSA and other organisations appropriate to the role.
• Provide subject matter expertise and use available engagement approaches to develop and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Manage delivery of agreed work programmes, including timely reporting, ensuring stakeholder needs are met and working across Division, Directorate and Group boundaries to support effective delivery and identify interdependencies.
• Manage challenging and/or conflicting subject matter issues, escalating where appropriate.

Audit, Quality and Governance

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Division to improve standards and consistency, evaluate teaching sessions, and undertake or supervise audits as part of the team audit programme.

Research

• Identify research questions, manage research studies, analyse datasets using appropriate methodologies, and translate findings into public health action.
• Conduct systematic literature reviews, co-author grant proposals and applications (including ethical approval submissions), present at scientific conferences and meetings, and publish scientific papers with health, public health, academic and other partners.

Management and Leadership

• Be a visible, positive and competent role model, promoting professional standards and providing senior scientific leadership. Represent the EES Division within UKHSA and at external scientific fora.
• Contribute as a member of the EES Division senior management team, supporting business planning and the development of evaluation, research and training strategies. Support operational delivery of divisional functions and deputise where appropriate.
• Provide effective line management of staff, including recruitment and selection, objective setting, performance management, induction, training and development, and management of employee relations issues to ensure capacity and flexibility to meet team needs.

Teaching and Training

• Teach colleagues and stakeholders on evaluation and epidemiology science, support departmental training activities, develop teaching materials and courses, assess learning needs, and supervise MSc students and other short-term attachments.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• MSc (or equivalent education) in Epidemiology, Public Health or allied discipline, or equivalent experience in the field of Epidemiology, Public Health or allied discipline
• Knowledge of principles and practice of health protection surveillance, including data management, data transmission, data security and information governance, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting.
• Demonstrable experience in public health, evaluation and epidemiology, including interpreting and evaluating complex epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses and performing analytical epidemiology.
• Proficiency in common statistical tools (such as R, Stata), and knowledge and experience of common statistical tests, modelling and analyses, with ability to interpret results appropriately, including for research.
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
• Excellent oral and written communication, including presentation and scientific report writing skills.
• Line management and leadership skills that empower, support, and develop teams to encourage high performance, and enable team members to reach their full potential through a learning culture.
• Ability to make decisions autonomously, engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support whilst working to tight and often changing timescales.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of research activities with a suitable publication record (3+ papers including 1+ first author) and grant writing experience.