Epidemiological Scientist

Welcome to Public Health Wales, the national public health organisation for Wales

Our vision is Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales

Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English. To support our all Wales service, we particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

Important Note for vacancies offered on a fixed-term or secondment basis.
Individuals who hold permanent (substantive) employment within the NHS may only be appointed via secondment. Approval for a secondment must be obtained from your current line manager prior to submitting an application.

Job overview

Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) provides field epidemiology support to the Health Protection Division of Public Health Wales. It assists the Division in protecting the population of Wales from infectious diseases and environmental hazards through public health surveillance, epidemiological support for field investigation, and applied research.

This post will contribute to the development of surveillance systems, field investigations, epidemiological studies and research. The post holder will work with analysts, epidemiologists, clinicians and scientists providing epidemiology and support for the development and maintenance of public health surveillance schemes run by the Health Protection Division.

Main duties of the job

This post will contribute to the development of surveillance systems, field investigations, epidemiological studies and research. The post holder will work with analysts, epidemiologists, clinicians and scientists providing epidemiology and support for the development and maintenance of public health surveillance schemes run by the Health Protection Division.

The post holder may be required to line manage and/or co‑ordinate work of junior team members. They will be required to train staff, supervise or mentor junior staff and demonstrate specific tasks or work as required to others.

Applicants must have a good honours degree in a scientific or numerate subject and a master’s qualification in public health or epidemiology or equivalent relevant experience. We are looking for a team player with good organisational and communication skills, who can demonstrate a flexible attitude and the temperament to work under pressure.

The post is primarily based at Public Health Wales’ headquarters at Number 2 Capital Quarter in central Cardiff, but other bases within Public Health Wales offices could be considered upon discussion with the successful candidates.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

We are Public Health Wales – the national public health organisation in Wales. Our purpose is ‘Working together for a healthier Wales’. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well‑being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.

Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.

We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part time roles and job sharing.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree in a scientific, computing or health related subject
• Masters qualification or equivalent experience acquired in public health areas such as: epidemiological methods, public health, microbiology, statistics, data science
• A qualification or demonstrable training/experience in public health, health protection or epidemiology

Experience

• Substantial post‑graduate experience of relevant scientific work
• Experience of working with large and complex databases
• Understanding of current scientific and/or epidemiological advances
• Experience of training other staff groups
• Experience of surveillance and epidemiology
• Demonstrable experience of working within a public health setting

Skills

• Advanced epidemiological and statistical methods
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to document and communicate clearly and succinctly
• Advanced skills in statistical and database software (Stata, MS Access, R) to manage and analyse complex data
• Excellent computer literacy, including advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to project manage, coordinate teams and problem solve
• Professional judgments on methods and interpretation
• Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
• Regression and time series analysis
• Mapping
• Ability to manage data and analyse microbiological test data

Knowledge

• Knowledge of epidemiological principles and their application to communicable disease surveillance and control
• An understanding of healthcare systems in Wales
• Awareness of policies and procedures relating to dealing with confidential data.
• Knowledge of Public Health Wales
• Knowledge and experience of the architecture and practice of large‑scale data management
• A knowledge of automating routine analysis through Tableau, programming, R markdown, or STATA)

Personal Attributes (Demonstrable)

• Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure.
• Flexible approach and commitment to apply skills in support of clinical/scientific priorities
• Proven track record as a team player
• Enthusiastic approach with excellent planning and organisational skills
• Negotiation and diplomacy skills to work with a wide range of staff
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Good time‑keeping
• Respect confidentiality.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills.
• Ability to work in challenging or different circumstances
• Ability to speak Welsh

Other

• Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with administrative staff, scientific staff and health professionals at all levels
• Commitment to CPD within Public Health competency frameworks
• Parodrwydd i deithioared to travel
• Evidence of continuing professional Development

Public Health Wales, reserves the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage early applications.

Priority is given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

If you have a disability and have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application process, please contact

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS: Applications for our roles are carefully reviewed and shortlisted based on specific criteria, which varies from job to job.

Using a generic application or automated AI application services, such as Lazy Apply or AI Apply, does not usually provide enough personal evidence of your skills and experience relevant to the role. This can make it difficult for us to assess your suitability and will reduce your chances of being shortlisted.

To ensure your application is given full consideration, we recommend submitting a tailored application that directly addresses the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the advert, providing clear evidence and examples to demonstrate how you meet each requirement.

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

• If you require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visa routes, please ensure youself‑assess your eligibility for sponsorship for this role before applying.

If you are successful and short listed for interview you will be contacted by email using the address with which you registered. Please ensure you check your email account regularly.

We are committed to fair, transparent recruitment and believe in equality of opportunity in our workplace and will not tolerate discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, religion or belief, race or nationality, marriage or civil partnership status, sex, sexual orientation, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs – or on any other grounds. We welcome applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements.

The salary scale shown is for a full‑time member of staff, with the amount being adjusted pro rata for those working less than 37.5 hours per week.

In general, anyone joining our Trust who has not previously worked in the NHS will, by default, start on the first point of the advertised pay band. Pay progression will then be determined by annual Performance and Development Reviews in accordance with the NHS Wales Pay Progression Policy. An application for Incremental Credit may be considered, but can only be awarded based on evidenced, reckonable service and/or equivalent, relevant experience.