Epidemiologist
UK Health Security AgencyThe 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.
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic and competent epidemiologist to join our Epidemiological Insight Team within the Advanced Analytics Division and wider Analysis and Intelligence Assessment (AIAI) Directorate. AIA is part of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) Group, in the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), whose mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting its citizens from infectious diseases and external hazards. Your work will extend across a wide range of activities and allow you to work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary division, colleagues within CDO and across the wider organisation, providing you with the opportunity to develop your skillset within a friendly and supportive environment.
The team provides epidemiological knowledge and expertise to inform the evidence base of mathematical modelling and advanced analytical assessments, supporting the agency’s preparedness and response functions. It delivers high-quality qualitative and quantitative epidemiological analyses across a range of infectious diseases of importance to UK and international public health, including high-consequence and biological threats.
You will support the provision of evidence-based assessment and synthesis by researching and reviewing the epidemiological and infectious disease literature, contributing to analyses and production of scientific reports and products.
Advert
- Investigate specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
- Assist in the provision of epidemiological advice and support for the development of mathematical, economic and other analytical models for emerging infectious disease threats.
- Abstract, evaluate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from all sources.
- Conduct literature searches to obtain relevant information on infectious diseases.
- Enhance the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of specialist reports, peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings, as appropriate.
- Organise and conduct meetings and workshops.
- Communicate with other team members on scientific and operational issues and liaise with other experts both internally and externally.
Working for our organisation
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
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Working to the Principal Epidemiologist you will assist and support the team by investigating specialist worldwide epidemiological and infectious disease literature and other sources to contribute to team and divisional projects and support the development of mathematical, economic and other analytical models for emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. This will involve the abstraction, evaluation and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and conducting literature reviews, writing rapid evidence summaries, technical reports and briefing documents.
You will be required to enhance the science base in this field by contributing to the writing of peer-reviewed publications and presentation of findings at meetings. Where appropriate, you will assist with the organisation and delivery of meetings and workshops, and with funding applications.
You will need to communicate with project team members on all scientific and operational issues and liaise with other expert internal and external contacts, as well as providing support to the National Response Centre, where required.
This role offers the opportunity to be involved in fast-paced health-incident responses to emergency threats, as well as longer-term projects that support disease modelling or health economic analyses of the wider division, including development of our Disease Wiki and Modelling Parameter Database applications.
Essential criteria:
- First degree in a biological science subject, or professional diploma in a numerate subject, or significant level of experience working in a public health setting
- Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, allied biological or statistical science or equivalent level of experience working in an epidemiology, public health, allied biological or statistical science setting
- Good knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology
- Experience of analysing epidemiological data, and use of statistical analysis software packages (e.g., R, STATA)
- Good knowledge of using Microsoft office software packages, including MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
- Demonstrable experience of desk-based literature research, abstracting, data/report analysis and report preparation
- Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills
- Ability to analyse and successfully communicate complex information, both orally and written
- Ability to deliver agreed project goals within specified deadlines and adaptability to changing priorities
- Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and to work as a team member
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable criteria:
- Good knowledge of communicable disease epidemiology
- Experience of delivering STEM and public outreach activities
Selection Process Detail
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 11 essential criteria listed in the job advert, this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- A Supporting Statement of up to 850 words (Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500 words, but your supporting statement must be no more than 850 words.)
This statement should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
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.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement.
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
Those that ‘Meet all essential criteria’ will be progressed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:
- Demonstrable experience of desk-based literature research, abstracting, data analysis and report preparation and writing.
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 the next stage.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Technical Test
If you pass the Shortlisting stage, you will be asked to complete a timed technical test, prior to your interview. This will be carried out remotely and you will be assigned a 1 hour time slot (of your choosing) to complete and return your response. The time slots will be between 20th and 24th October 2025. Full instructions will be provided.
We will issue a variety of documents and online sources via email. You will be expected to:
- Write a briefing note for a senior colleague summarising evidence around an infectious disease scenario.
Once completed, you will need to send this to the Recruitment Manager and Hiring Manager via email.
If you pass the technical test you will progress to the interview stage.
Stage 3: Interview
Success Profiles
If you passed the test in Stage 2, you will be invited to a remote interview.
Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Working together (Lead behaviour)
- Communicating and influencing
- Working at Pace
You will also be asked to present a 10 minute presentation during your interview. The subject of this being:
- An overview of the current global epidemiology of mpox.
As part of the interview, you will also be asked technical questions based on the technical test you provided in Stage 2.
Interviews will be held week commencing 3rd November 2025, 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s.
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 HQ’s (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Salary Bands
National - £31,997 to £39,076
Outer London - £34,093 to £41,509
Inner London - £36,187 to £43,552
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 Basic Personnel Security Standard.
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
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.