The Data Surveillance Scientist supports UKHSA’s regional Health Protection Teams, which work with partners to protect public health through surveillance, monitoring, operational support, education, training and research. Working within a dynamic analytical community, the role provides health protection intelligence to support effective service delivery. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining health surveillance databases, producing routine and bespoke reports, and supporting the use of the UKHSA Case and Incident Management System.
Role responsibilities include:
Supporting outbreak investigations and epidemiological studies by designing questionnaires and databases, conducting descriptive and advanced analyses, interviewing cases, and contributing to outbreak reports.
The post holder performs complex analytical tasks using statistical, database, and mapping tools to generate insights (e.g. tables, graphs, queries).
They maintain and improve infectious disease surveillance systems, validate and audit data quality, and produce standard operating procedures and routine surveillance reports with analysis and interpretation.
The role involves applying statistical methods to surveillance data, responding to data requests, enhancing databases, and ensuring high-quality outputs. It also supports research through contributions to scientific projects, database design, data analysis, report automation, and dissemination of findings via presentations and publications
Please note this list is not exhaustive.
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
Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions.
Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
Where appropriate, undertake specific steps of an epidemiological study under direction including to design and develop questionnaires e.g. using Snap Survey, design and administer outbreak databases, prepare descriptive epidemiology, contribute to the production of outbreak reports, investigate exceedances and interview cases and controls
Undertake complex analytical tasks and use common statistical, database and mapping software and tools to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs, maps etc. and developing advanced queries
Surveillance and data analysis
Maintain and improve databases for surveillance of infectious diseases, test functionality of new surveillance systems, validate the quality of surveillance data including use of automated routines and through audit and produce and update Standard Operating Procedures
Have knowledge of, apply and interpret basic statistical tests, conduct statistical analyses of surveillance data, produce reports and outputs using common statistical/database/mapping tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, etc, respond to routine and more complex data requests and produce routine surveillance reports, including basic descriptive analysis and interpretation of results
Contribute to surveillance activities through assuring data quality, undertaking complex data analyses and seeking to improve and enhance databases and systems
Produce routine surveillance reports that include basic descriptive analyses and interpretation
Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support analysis such as advanced querying, data validation and pivot tables
Research
Support research through contribution to scientific papers and projects on public health surveillance, outbreaks and infectious disease control as well as through designing study databases and sharing findings at conferences and meetings
Design a study database, and develop queries to analyse data, create automated reports, import/export data from a variety of sources, participate in the interpretation and analysis of research findings and the application of findings to practice and present internally or to local partners, present work/posters at scientific meetings and conferences
Management and Leadership
To act as role model adhering to team professional standards, actively engage in meetings, identify potential problems and seek to resolve and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, on behalf of the service as a whole
Support the development of policies and protocols for use within the team/department
Contribute to specified quality improvement and governance initiatives as agreed
Support/lead projects and support defined areas of work as agreed with line manager
Learn and maintain up-to-date scientific knowledge regarding epidemiology, surveillance and relevant public health interventions and contribute to the supervision and training colleagues and others as requested
Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities (including to the development of teaching material and courses) on surveillance, epidemiology information science, data management, information governance and quality and support ongoing training activities within the team and Service Quality and governance
Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and identify data quality issues through audit and ensure analysis and outputs are clearly presented in an appropriate context
Personal & Professional Development
The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. safeguarding, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Essential role criteria:
Educated to degree level in health, biological or scientific discipline, or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills gained through relevant work experience in epidemiology, public health intelligence, health protection, surveillance, or health data analysis.
Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, health informatics, or an allied discipline, or equivalent experience demonstrating application of epidemiological and analytical methods.
Knowledge of epidemiological investigation
Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail
Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
Experience of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical analysis
Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills and able to work under own initiative
An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable role criteria:
Training or experience in validating data including automated routines
Knowledge of the health and social care environment, and an understanding of epidemiological surveillance systems, health intelligence processes, and information flows across public health, healthcare and partner agencies.
Line management experience including appraising staff and managing performance
Proven scientific report writing skills
Selection Process Details (Competency based)
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency Based
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
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. (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).
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:
Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
Knowledge of epidemiological investigation
Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
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: Interview
Competency Based
You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our site in Liverpool. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
There will be a 10 to 15-minute technical assessment during the interview where you'll be asked to describe and interpret epidemiological data, assess data quality and/or review code.
Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Additional Information
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.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at either our Core HQ in Liverpool or one of our Supporting Hubs in Preston and Manchester. 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) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
