• Job Description

  Req#: K9919-25-0197?language=en&page=39&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  We are looking for a Senior Scientist to join the Travel Health and International Health Regulations (IHR) team, which is part of the Chief Medical Advisor group - Epidemic & Emerging Infections Directorate. The Travel Health and IHR team contributes to the health of UK travellers through surveillance, information, teaching and research, and has a central role in supporting UKHSA's role of National Focal Point under the IHR, and as EU Focal Point under the EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This is an exciting opportunity to join and work with the team in its two main areas of work: travel health and IHR. The post will include responding to high level international communications, conducting and overseeing data analysis, provision of information and scientific advice to a range of national and international stakeholders, production of scientific publications, teaching, supporting the identification of research priorities and supporting policy development. Close collaboration will be required with other teams in UKHSA responsible for surveillance of disease where travel has a large impact and where international communication may be required. The post holder will also play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of UKHSA's Focal Point for communication with the European Commission and National Focal Point role under the IHR for all of the UK territory on behalf of the UK Government.

  Main duties of the job

  The main duties of the post relate to:o Managing and responding to international communications, outbreak notifications and requests for information and action including from the European Commission (EC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and other WHO Member States and ensuring these are disseminated and responded to appropriatelyo Surveillance of illness in returning travellers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, together with timely information outputs in response to outbreaks. The post-holder will be responsible for the development and provision of information on the surveillance of travel-associated illness, including in particular the determination of the burden and distribution of such illness in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and monitoring the progress in reducing the risk of travel-associated illness

  About us

  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

  Details

  Date posted

  20 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Other

  Salary

  £44,852 to £50,472 a year Per annum, Pro rata

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

  Reference number

  919-ROG-308326-EXT

  Job locations

  Colindale

  61 Colindale Avenue

  London

  NW9 5EQ

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Senior ScientistThe work of the team covers a range of activities and the postholder will work across both the travel health and IHR functions. They will support the national focal point function under the International Health Regulations (IHR) by: Contributing to the day-to-day management of IHR National Focal Point inbox and phone line, including responding to international contact tracing situations, drafting notifications for WHO and the European Commission, managing information requests to and from international partners, supervising and advising other scientists as appropriate, UKHSA Incident Management Teams with international communications and ensuring that all emails are responded to appropriately and in a timely fashion. Contributing to and supporting other scientists on the Event Information Site (EIS) Duty Scientist rota, ensuring that international public health event information is disseminated within the UK territories efficiently and appropriately and co-ordinating responses, as required. Coordinating the UK State Parties Annual Self-Assessment (SPAR) activity report for WHO and support work on the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

  The postholder will also have key responsibilities within the surveillance and reporting work undertaken by the team. Alongside other members of the team, they will: Take scientific responsibility for national surveillance of selected travel-associated infections in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Identify gaps in surveillance activities related to travel-associated infections and contribute to the design and development of new surveillance initiatives in collaboration with other parts of UKHSA. Contribute to complex epidemiological analysis and interpretation of surveillance data relating to travel-associated infections and ensure the data outputs for the relevant GOV.UK pages and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), as well as any other ad hoc reports, are timely and accurate.

  Alongside routine work undertaken by the team, they also will form an integral part of international event and outbreak response work when required, by: Monitoring clusters of infection in UK residents in tourist resorts abroad and conduct appropriate public health responses to these; this may involve communication with wider UKHSA, the tourist industry, other international public health institutions and WHO. Undertaking risk assessments in collaboration with National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and UKHSA disease specific teams in response to international outbreaks or natural disasters that may affect UK travellers. With other section members and as required, supporting those at local, regional or national level who are managing incidents or outbreaks that have an international dimension and/or are relevant under IHR or which affect the health of travellers specifically.

  The postholder will also: Contribute to scientific reports and papers for publication Produce regular and ad hoc topic specific surveillance reports on a variety of travel-associated infections Present at specialist meetings Contribute data and expertise to the production of advice and official guidance Take part in the provision of travel advice and outputs published by NaTHNaC Contribute to teaching and training Manage scientific staff and undertake their annual appraisals

  The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. They may be asked to deputise and cover as necessary for colleagues during annual leave, study leave and other absences and will be expected to be able to work independently.

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

  Selection Process Details

  Please note you will not be able to upload yourCV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible.Please do not email us your CV

  This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge, experience, skills & abilities.

  Stage 1:Application& Sift

  You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 12 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of

  • Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

  • a 1250word Statement of Suitability.

  This should outline howyour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

  Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

  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 longlisting is used- meets all and meets some essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

  Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • Experience in data management, analysis and reporting.

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

  Please do not exceed 1250 words .We will not consider any words over and above this number.

  Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

  Stage 2:Interview (competancy based)

  You will be invited to a single remote interview

  Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

  Interviews will be held week commencing TBC, 2025

  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 (includingby definition internalapplicants).

  Location

  his role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.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 tospend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month). If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of 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 disclosure and barring security check.

  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is aCounter-terrorist Check (CTC).

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Senior ScientistThe work of the team covers a range of activities and the postholder will work across both the travel health and IHR functions. They will support the national focal point function under the International Health Regulations (IHR) by: Contributing to the day-to-day management of IHR National Focal Point inbox and phone line, including responding to international contact tracing situations, drafting notifications for WHO and the European Commission, managing information requests to and from international partners, supervising and advising other scientists as appropriate, UKHSA Incident Management Teams with international communications and ensuring that all emails are responded to appropriately and in a timely fashion. Contributing to and supporting other scientists on the Event Information Site (EIS) Duty Scientist rota, ensuring that international public health event information is disseminated within the UK territories efficiently and appropriately and co-ordinating responses, as required. Coordinating the UK State Parties Annual Self-Assessment (SPAR) activity report for WHO and support work on the IHR Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.

  The postholder will also have key responsibilities within the surveillance and reporting work undertaken by the team. Alongside other members of the team, they will: Take scientific responsibility for national surveillance of selected travel-associated infections in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Identify gaps in surveillance activities related to travel-associated infections and contribute to the design and development of new surveillance initiatives in collaboration with other parts of UKHSA. Contribute to complex epidemiological analysis and interpretation of surveillance data relating to travel-associated infections and ensure the data outputs for the relevant GOV.UK pages and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), as well as any other ad hoc reports, are timely and accurate.

  Alongside routine work undertaken by the team, they also will form an integral part of international event and outbreak response work when required, by: Monitoring clusters of infection in UK residents in tourist resorts abroad and conduct appropriate public health responses to these; this may involve communication with wider UKHSA, the tourist industry, other international public health institutions and WHO. Undertaking risk assessments in collaboration with National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and UKHSA disease specific teams in response to international outbreaks or natural disasters that may affect UK travellers. With other section members and as required, supporting those at local, regional or national level who are managing incidents or outbreaks that have an international dimension and/or are relevant under IHR or which affect the health of travellers specifically.

  The postholder will also: Contribute to scientific reports and papers for publication Produce regular and ad hoc topic specific surveillance reports on a variety of travel-associated infections Present at specialist meetings Contribute data and expertise to the production of advice and official guidance Take part in the provision of travel advice and outputs published by NaTHNaC Contribute to teaching and training Manage scientific staff and undertake their annual appraisals

  The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. They may be asked to deputise and cover as necessary for colleagues during annual leave, study leave and other absences and will be expected to be able to work independently.

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

  Selection Process Details

  Please note you will not be able to upload yourCV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible.Please do not email us your CV

  This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge, experience, skills & abilities.

  Stage 1:Application& Sift

  You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 12 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of

  • Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

  • a 1250word Statement of Suitability.

  This should outline howyour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

  Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

  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 longlisting is used- meets all and meets some essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

  Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • Experience in data management, analysis and reporting.

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

  Please do not exceed 1250 words .We will not consider any words over and above this number.

  Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

  Stage 2:Interview (competancy based)

  You will be invited to a single remote interview

  Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

  Interviews will be held week commencing TBC, 2025

  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 (includingby definition internalapplicants).

  Location

  his role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.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 tospend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month). If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of 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 disclosure and barring security check.

  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is aCounter-terrorist Check (CTC).

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or equivalent experience
  • Educated to master's degree level in science or health related topic or equivalent level qualification, or experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

  Desirable

  • Training in epidemiology and/or public health

  Knowledge and experience

  Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of using computer and database software packages (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
  • Experience in data management, analysis and reporting
  • Experience in scientific report writing and scientific presentations
  • Experience of working in epidemiology, communicable disease surveillance, public health or the health sector

  Desirable

  • Experience of staff management

  Skills and capabilities

  Essential

  • Work as a team member
  • Liaise with a range of health and other professionals
  • Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly and tailor communication to a broad range of stakeholders including the public
  • Identify and solve day-to-day practical problems
  • Maintain required levels of confidentiality and handle sensitive issues with tact and understanding

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or equivalent experience
  • Educated to master's degree level in science or health related topic or equivalent level qualification, or experience of working at a similar level in specialist area

  Desirable

  • Training in epidemiology and/or public health

  Knowledge and experience

  Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of using computer and database software packages (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
  • Experience in data management, analysis and reporting
  • Experience in scientific report writing and scientific presentations
  • Experience of working in epidemiology, communicable disease surveillance, public health or the health sector

  Desirable

  • Experience of staff management

  Skills and capabilities

  Essential

  • Work as a team member
  • Liaise with a range of health and other professionals
  • Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly and tailor communication to a broad range of stakeholders including the public
  • Identify and solve day-to-day practical problems
  • Maintain required levels of confidentiality and handle sensitive issues with tact and understanding

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  Additional information

  Disclosure and Barring Service Check

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  UK Health Security Agency

  Address

  Colindale

  61 Colindale Avenue

  London

  NW9 5EQ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  UK Health Security Agency

  Address

  Colindale

  61 Colindale Avenue

  London

  NW9 5EQ

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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