Job Description

Details

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Reference number

424776

Salary

40,661 - 50,472
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

Until 31/03/2028

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Remote working (anywhere in the UK)

About the job

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Job summary

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and competent mathematical modeller to join our mathematical Modelling for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, and Response team within the multidisciplinary Advanced Analytics division. This team provides high quality scientific advice to government on new and emerging infectious disease threats to the public and how their impact may be mitigated. We apply quantitative analyses to complex and novel situations especially for those where the source of the disease is unapparent. You would use your mathematical skills to construct models of diseases and disease systems using a range of techniques, have access to cutting edge technology including High Performance Compute and General-Purpose GPU acceleration, and be working in a friendly collaborative environment where you are supported to learn new techniques and develop your skills.

This role will service our work on the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) funded HPRU (Health Protection Research Unit) on Emergency Preparedness and Response which is a joint work-programme with the University of Birmingham. The core themes of this role revolve around quantifying the effects of mass casualty incidents on the public and health-care services.

Job description

1. Assess, develop, and apply appropriate mathematical and statistical modelling methods to address a range of emerging threats and help inform effective control and mitigation strategies.

2. Abstract and analyse relevant qualitative and quantitative data from various sources for use in these models.

3. Communicate with experts in other disciplines to ensure that they understand required input data and the output from your work (including limitations and uncertainty on analyses performed).

4. Enhance the science base in this field and promote the modelling capabilities developed within the team through peer-reviewed publication of findings and presentations at conferences and workshops.

5. Work closely with other members of UKHSA in the integration and dissemination of the above tools and data to provide core UKHSA capabilities.

6. Communicate with other team members on scientific and operational issues and liaise with other experts both internally and externally.

7. Assist in funding applications, where appropriate.

8. Provide specialist technical reports based on the work above, if required.


This role would typically be suitable for someone with a few years postgraduate experience or someone looking for a postdoctoral type role. As postholder you would, in conversation with your line-manager, be expected to lead research and development of the team's work under the HPRU. Depending on the level of demand on the team you may supervise short-term placement students and interns or PhDs within the HPRU. You would bring mathematical / technical expertise to ensure that scientific and other outputs are produced in a timely way.


The team's work-packages currently comprise:


o Source-term estimation - locating pathogen sources from case data.

o In-host dynamics - how a pathogen behaves inside the human body.

o Model frameworks - high level code for the rapid production of models.

o Neural networks for model emulation and machine vision - using the power of inferential tools to speed up models and to detect health threats.


The specific projects under the HPRU likely assigned to this role, either directly or in collaboration with others in the team, being:


o Applied records of traumatic events and mass injury surveillance


This aims to create a global database of non-fatal injuries, including sequelae (e.g. disease, deprivation) and probability of survival. Focussing especially on disadvantaged communities, we will explore the long-term burden of disease, psychosocial sequelae and socioeconomic hardship of survivors of a major incident.


o Syndromic surveillance of injury and correlates of community resilience


This project will look at the syndromic surveillance of injuries and observe how these may predict incoming demand on the health system and will: characterise the nature and seasonality of such reports, investigate linkable statistics to help drive causal inference, look into the differential of report types between different types of medical unit.


You would be expected to be knowledgeable in some mathematical, statistical, or computational techniques and be willing to learn others. Similarly, you will be able to show ability to progress projects and may contribute to developing the project portfolio within the team through grant applications and other funding opportunities.


You will be expected to be a role-model for the technical and behavioural aspects of the team. In the latter aspect, team skills are important to this role as is demonstrating a forward-looking and investigative nature.


You should be able to identify, discuss and act on your own professional performance and training / development needs and would be expected to attend virtual or physical internal and external training events. This would include all mandatory training (e.g. fire safety, information governance, etc.)


As postholder you will develop working relationships, communicate, and maintain vital interactions with collaborators in academia and across government and would comprise regular contact with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This is expected to include: daily collaboration with the other members of the Modelling for EPRR team and individuals within the wider Advanced Analytics (AA) division (which includes Data-science, Economics, and Epidemiology Teams); regular contact with other members of the wider Analysis and Intelligence Assessment directorate and people within the HPRU at University of Birmingham, with the AA senior leadership team, directorate and HPRU administrative staff, and with HPC support staff; and periodic or occasional contact with other modelling, statistics and epidemiology teams within UKHSA, Dstl, DHSC, Cabinet Office and other similar organisations.


The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the agency.

Person specification

Essential Criteria.

We will be assessing your demonstrated ability to think critically about the world and break problems down into pieces that are amenable to quantitative representation (mathematical or statistical modelling).


You should be expecting to show the panel examples of where you have done this previously and what the outcomes of your work was.

First degree in a discipline involving high mathematical or statistical content or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area. Higher degree (preferably PhD) or substantially equivalent experience in: the application of research focused computer code or mathematical modelling or statistics to problems in health (human, animal, or plant), microbiology or biological sciences. Demonstrable practical postgraduate experience in applying one or more of the techniques in the

core skills ( Mathematics, Statistical modelling, Modelling, Data analysis) below

. Well-developed skills in producing computer code from mathematics and/or algometric description (preferably Python, but any mainstream language acceptable) Excellent communication skills written, verbal, tele/videoconferencing. Able to work together with others to achieve goals (team player). 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 team management.

Core skills

Mathematical modelling is both a broad and deep field. It is expected that the post holder will bring some, but far from all, of the skills below to the team. It is expected that they will be expert in some sections and know little about others.

Mathematics

o Constructing, using, and solving ODE and/or PDE systems.

o Numerical analysis.

o Approximation theory.

o Operation research including linear and non-linear optimisation

o Functional analysis.

o Dimensional analysis.

Statistical modelling

o Frequentist analysis (e.g., ANOVA, GLM, LMEM, etc.).

o Bayesian statistics and analysis.

o Probability distribution theory.

o Stochastic simulation.

o Monte Carlo simulation.

o Neural networks and/or machine learning (e.g., Random Forest, SVM, etc.)

Modelling

o Mechanistic modelling.

o Predictive modelling.

o Compartmental disease modelling.

o Meta-population (patch) modelling.

o Individual based modelling.

o Network or next generation modelling.

o Integrated epidemiology and macro-economic modelling.

o Spatio-temporal modelling.

o Sensitivity analysis.

o Demographic modelling.

o Parameter estimation.

o Uncertainty analysis.

Data analysis

o Data cleaning.

o Processing and use of remotely sensed data.

Software

o Set and analyse software requirements.

o Formulation and implementation of unit and system tests

o Produce code suitable for distribution on domain/language specific platforms (e.g., CRAN / PyPI).

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 40,661, UK Health Security Agency contributes 11,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using

Success Profiles

and will assess your behaviours and Experience.


At sift stage you will be assessed against

the essential

listed in the job advert.


As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Supporting Statement in no more than 750 words. Note: Healthjobs UK has a word limit in this section of 1500 words in the form but only the first 750 words will be scored. You should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Essential criteria (outlined in the person specification / job description).


You will also be asked to provide information within the 'Employer/ Activity history' section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored against the same criteria. Please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form with as much relevant detail as possible.


You will be required to complete an:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) Supporting Statement (up to 750 words) - 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.


Your statement of suitability must be

no more than 750 words

.


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

Demonstrable

practical

postgraduate experience in applying one or more of the techniques in the

core skills

above.

Longlisting

: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets most essential criteria

3. Meets no essential criteria

Should we longlist, we will take though only those who meet all essential criteria.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Candidates who pass the sift stage will progress to a Technical assessment stage.

Stage 2: Technical assessment (120 minutes)

There will be a technical assessment for those who pass the application stage where you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to problem-solve using code and to explain the code you produce. This typically consists of a set problem, 90 minutes to formulate a solution and a 15-minute Q&A session with a panel where you explain your solution.

Candidates who pass the technical assessment stage will be invited to a remote interview.

Stage 3: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview.


For this round we are using published interview questions. That is, you will be given the lead questions 48 hours before the interview so that you may give a considered answer and best reflect your strengths. You should expect unscripted follow-up questions based on your answers and to probe your knowledge.


Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd September, please note these dates are subject to change.


This vacancy is being assessed using

Success Profiles

. During the interview we will assess you against the below:

Behaviours:

o Working together


o Communicating and influencing


o Changing and improving

Previous Skills and Experience: technical skills and ability

You will be asked to prepare and present a 7-minute presentation. The subject of this will be "How mathematical modelling may be used to improve response to public health emergencies".


Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records

External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as

Homebased.

Security Clearance.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance


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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) 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.


Successful candidates must also meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An enhanced DBS is required.

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.

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 consider 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 it could be time accrued over that period.

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

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.




Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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) 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
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

#

Job contact :

Name : Thomas Finnie Email : Thomas.Finnie@ukhsa.gov.uk
#

Recruitment team

Email : SCS.MDrecruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

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: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk 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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk


http://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v7430503