Location
Core HQ, Canary Wharf, London (Hybrid working model with minimum 60% office attendance)

Hours
Full Time, flexible working patterns available

Salary
£46,310 - £52,113 per year

About the Role
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) protects public health by preventing, preparing for, and responding to infectious diseases and environmental hazards. The Senior Scientist (Epidemiology) will join the Acute Respiratory Infections team within the TARZET division, focusing on surveillance, epidemiology, and investigation of acute respiratory infections. This role primarily involves coordinating and developing epidemiological analysis of surveillance datasets derived from metagenomic sequencing, including managing the mSCAPE pathogen surveillance databases and other national surveillance systems.
The postholder will conduct complex epidemiological analyses to monitor trends, geographic distribution, and risk factors, supervise junior scientific staff, and lead the delivery of surveillance and policy reports as well as peer-reviewed publications. They will develop and implement standardized data collection and analysis protocols, ensure data quality and completeness, and work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.
Key responsibilities include managing outbreak investigations, providing technical advice on surveillance databases, contributing to research projects, writing scientific papers and reports, and delivering training and presentations on epidemiology and surveillance of acute respiratory infections. The role requires active participation in incident response activities when needed.
UKHSA offers a supportive and inclusive working environment with flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, and access to a defined benefit pension scheme.

Experience
- Degree in a life science, data science, or related discipline, with postgraduate study or experience in public health, genomic epidemiology, microbial genomics, or a related field.
- Experience interpreting, analysing, and evaluating genomic and epidemiological data using tools such as R or Python.
- Proven ability to conduct complex statistical analyses of large and complex epidemiological datasets.
- Experience managing technical aspects of outbreak investigations.
- Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies, bioinformatics analytical approaches, and metagenomics.
- Experience presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences and liaising with a range of health professionals and scientific specialists.

About you
- Strong scientific writing skills, including preparation of scientific publications, technical reports, and project documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities and delivering to deadlines.
- Demonstrated sound judgement and decision-making skills, including working with incomplete information.
- Commitment to equality, inclusion, and fostering positive working relationships.

Qualifications
- Degree in a relevant scientific discipline with postgraduate experience or study in related fields.
- Relevant experience in epidemiology, genomic epidemiology, or microbial genomics.
- Ability to supervise junior scientific and administrative staff.
- Willingness to contribute to teaching, training, and development of colleagues.