This vacancy is using Civil Service behaviours (part of Success Profiles) and the Government Digital and Data Profession Framework for Data Science
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (12) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
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Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
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1250 word supporting statement
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and 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 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 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250 words. We will not consider any words over 1250 words.
Longlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
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Meets all essential criteria
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Meets some essential criteria
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Meets no essential criteria
If used, the following will proceed to shortlisting:
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Meets all essential criteria
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Meets some essential criteria
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of
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Strong proficiency applying analytical and statistical techniques across real-world codebases; practitioner level in SQL and in Python and/or R with fluency in Git-based workflows (branching, code review) testing and reproducible environment will be conducted.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Technical Assessment
You will be invited to remote Technical Test. Technical Tests will be held week commencing 28th September 2026, please note these dates are subject to change.
You will be provided with a representative data science task and data set and have 90 minutes to construct a code-based solution.
You will then have an interactive remote discussion with a panel. Here you will present your outputs and respond to questions interactively.
This session is expected to last around 20 minutes. The assessment is predominately designed to test your coding and mathematical skills, and the marking will align to the GDD data science framework.
Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited to attend a final interview. The scores from both the technical test and interview stages will be combined to determine your overall outcome. Feedback will be provided at this stage.
Stage 3: Interview (success profiles)
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Behaviours and Technical skills from the GDD Data Science profile will be tested at interview
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
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Seeing the Big Picture
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Changing and Improving (Lead behavior)
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Working Together
Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 2026, please note these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.
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.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.
Eligibility Criteria External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Salary Information
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.
Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
- £46,310 - £52,113 (Inner)
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.
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 consider 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 it could be time accrued over that period.
Internal Fraud Check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicants 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
