Job Description

This Blood Safety post is part of the joint NHS Blood and Transplant/ UKHSA Epidemiology Unit that informs the safety of blood, tissues and organs in the UK. The post-holder will work on the blood donation testing and blood donor surveillance scheme which has collected and reported on data in collaboration with the UK Blood Services and UKHSA since 1995. This scheme provides operational data on donation testing, data to inform the residual risk of infection from transfusion, monitors the trends in rate of markers of infection tested for by the UK blood services which include hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections and collects epidemiological data on donors towards informing blood safety and policy on donor selection and testing.



The post-holder must have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively both autonomously and within a team at both UKHSA and NHS Blood and Transplant (Colindale).



The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the scheme, collecting, processing and validating the data.

The post-holder will develop and implement standardised data collection and analysis protocols, will identify data quality issues and facilitate their resolution.

You will ensure that data are collected and processed in accordance with relevant policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and undertake regular assessments of data quality and completeness.

The post-holder will undertake regular reporting of the data to deadlines including the monthly donation testing report and unit's Annual Review.

Under the supervision of senior scientific staff, the post holder will regularly extract, collate and validate surveillance data-sets and carry out epidemiological analyses to monitor trends, geographic distribution and risk factors.

You will contribute to the delivery of surveillance and policy reports and to peer-reviewed publications.

The post-holder will also have experience of using computers and database software packages, as well as of data management, analysis and reporting.

The post will involve presentations and the provision of training.



Please note that 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



Surveillance and Epidemiology

In this role you will:

be responsible for collecting and processing and validating the data. This includes: liaising with data providers to help overcome any problems in reporting, referring to other scientific colleagues as necessary; following-up incomplete, inaccurate or missing surveillance data; ensuring data security is compliant with the required standard; assisting scientific colleagues in processes to reconcile the information collected; Liaising with UKHSA and blood service confirmatory laboratories in order to reconcile records and ensure completeness of data.

liaise with and seek feedback from stakeholders to ensure the scheme reporting reflects current blood service needs to underpin blood safety.

update existing databases where required; plan and establish new electronic surveillance schemes where need arises; write or update queries and develop reports.

ensure that all processes relating to database management are appropriately documented and up to date within the NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology unit, writing new procedures and informing colleagues as need arises.

undertake regular reporting of the data to deadlines including the monthly blood donation testing report, the quarterly clinical group report, the unit annual Review and ad hoc specialist and complex analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets which will require selection of the best option from a range of possible solutions.

analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to inform decision making.

receive, interpret, provide and advise on complex epidemiological and statistical information about the epidemiology of donors to the UK blood services, Department of Health and Social Care and others.



Specialist Advice and Evaluation



communicate effectively and diplomatically data, research and other specialist information with colleagues from own or other disciplines making judgements about the suitability of these data and providing an alternative where appropriate (e.g. in response to parliamentary questions). and present findings at local, national and international meetings and conferences.

write and/or contribute to the Unit's Annual Review, as well as peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, on the epidemiology of and infections in donors.



Research and Development



undertake literature reviews, evaluative research surveys, audits and other research as required.



Teaching and Training



assist in teaching and training courses run at Colindale and outside, by producing presentation materials and assist in NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology Unit lectures and provide advice and support on reporting data to the surveillance schemes.



Other



provide general scientific administrative support for the team when required, including monitoring of the Unit email box and coordination of the Unit Annual Review.



Professional development



identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.

participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.



Key working relationships



develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:



Internal



Scientists and the Consultant in Epidemiology and Health Protection within the NHSBT/UKHSA Epidemiology Unit and with colleagues across the wider BSHSH and the CPH Group.



External



Data providers throughout the UK blood services and Republic of Ireland blood services (testing managers, clinical teams, reference laboratories, hospitals etc) to ensure data quality and timely reporting, and internal and external data users. External stakeholders include the Department of Health and Social Care, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the Welsh Blood Service (WBS, Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS), the Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and academic staff.



Essential criteria



Primary Degree in a suitable science subject such as biosciences or equivalent level qualification such as a foundation degree, or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area: epidemiology, public health, or statistics

Scientific work experience relevant to the post

Experience in use of computers and database software packages for data management, handling, analysis and reporting eg MS Access

Experience of interpreting and evaluating data

Experience of preparing scientific reports and presentations including high quality graphs and tables and written work.

Experience of using software packages for statistical analysis of data e.g. STATA, R

Able to work as a team member or independently and liaise with a wide range of external stakeholders

Able to maintain data protection and confidentiality

Able to communicate and document methods clearly and succinctly

Have a clear and organised approach to work to meet deadlines

Ability to identify and solve day to day issues/problems

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable criteria:

Experience designing databases

Experience of epidemiology, infectious disease surveillance

Working within the NHS, Public Health or Environmental Health

Knowledge of hepatitis and/or other blood-borne viruses



Selection Process

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



This vacancy is using Competency

You will be required to complete an:

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

500 word supporting statement



Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 500



This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.



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)



If we receive a large number of applications, an initial sift against the lead criteria will be conducted.



Experience in use of computers and database software packages for data management, handling, analysis and reporting eg MS Access

Able to communicate and document methods clearly and succinctly

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



We will only take through those applicants who meet ALL the essential criteria.



Desirable criteria may be used if we receive a large number of applications



Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview stage (competency based):

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.



Interviews will be held week commencing 5th January 2026, please note these dates are subject to change.



This vacancy is being assessed using the essential criteria in the job description. During the interview we will assess against the below:



Knowledge

Experience

Skills and Abilities

Please note:

You will be asked to take a test to assess your data management experience and written work.



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

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.



Location



This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. 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).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



The level of security needed is



Basic Personnel Security Standard

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates also require a (CTC) Counter Terrorism Check



When 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.