Senior Medical Entomologist

Job overview

The Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology (MEZE) group assess, prepare, and respond to current and emerging vector-borne disease threats in the UK. The team provide entomological expertise on vector issues through research and surveillance activities, primarily on ticks and mosquitoes. The team also work internationally on vectors and vector-borne diseases to deliver European funded projects and to support the development and delivery of surveillance systems in the UK Overseas Territories. Research and surveillance activities are translated into expert advice for UKHSA, the Department of Health and related sister agencies and departments, contributing to policy, contingency planning, and public health preparedness on vector-borne diseases. We are seeking an additional team member with experience in medical entomology to support the delivery of our expanding research and surveillance portfolio on vectors and vector-borne diseases.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team and with external and internal collaborators within and outside UKHSA, the post holder will provide medical entomological and vector-borne disease expertise (particularly on tick-borne diseases) within a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and technical activities of the Medical Entomology & Zoonoses Ecology group. This will include the development, design and delivery of specific projects and resources such as UKHSA’s National vector surveillance programmes of ticks and mosquitoes.

We are keen to hear from candidates with experience in entomology, as well as candidates with experience in innovation, prototyping and the application of emerging technologies to address real-world challenges.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will contribute specialist scientific expertise to the delivery of research, surveillance and health protection activities relating to vector-borne diseases of public health importance. Working within the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology team, they will support UKHSA's understanding of current and emerging vector-borne disease threats through the generation, analysis and interpretation of scientific evidence.

The postholder will:

• Critically analyse and interpret complex scientific data from research studies, surveillance systems, incident investigations and funded projects, identifying trends, assessing risks and drawing evidence-based conclusions to inform public health decision-making.
• Lead and deliver research and surveillance projects relating to vectors and vector-borne diseases, ensuring activities are completed to agreed quality standards and timescales.
• Design and undertake field, laboratory and desk-based investigations using appropriate scientific, epidemiological and entomological methodologies.
• Develop and support surveillance activities for vectors of public health importance, including mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods relevant to human disease transmission.
• Plan and undertake fieldwork, including vector collection, species identification, habitat assessment and environmental investigations.
• Analyse surveillance and research data using appropriate analytical and statistical approaches.

Continues below.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Scientific Leadership and Research

• Review and interpret scientific literature, surveillance data and intelligence on emerging vector-borne diseases, assessing implications for UK public health.
• Maintain expertise in medical entomology, vector ecology and disease epidemiology to support programme development and innovation.
• Produce technical reports, publications, presentations, funding applications and briefings for a range of audiences.
• Contribute to research opportunities, partnerships and externally funded projects that strengthen UKHSA evidence and surveillance capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with governance, quality and health and safety requirements.
• Contribute to team and divisional objectives.

Project Delivery and Team Leadership

• Plan, manage and monitor research and surveillance projects, balancing priorities and delivering outputs to agreed timescales.
• Coordinate colleagues and external partners, maintain project records and support reporting, resource management and budgets.
• Supervise, mentor and develop staff, students and visiting researchers.
• Support recruitment, induction and workforce development activities.
• Promote collaborative working and knowledge sharing.
• Deputise for senior colleagues and represent the team at relevant meetings and forums.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build effective relationships with UKHSA colleagues, government, academia and partner organisations.
• Provide specialist advice on vector surveillance, ecology and disease risks.
• Prepare and present evidence, briefings and reports for scientific, operational and policy audiences.
• Contribute to publications, government-facing products and communications that translate complex evidence for non-specialist audiences.

Health Protection

• Support the assessment and management of vector-borne disease threats.
• Contribute scientific expertise to risk assessments, surveillance investigations, incidents and public health responses.
• Support horizon scanning, evaluation of control measures and development of evidence-based guidance.
• Deliver training and technical guidance on vector-borne diseases.

Professional Development

• Maintain professional knowledge through continuing development, appraisal, mandatory training and compliance with UKHSA policies and standards

This list is not exhaustive.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree with substantial relevant experience and significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses
• Experience of contributing to large scale vector surveillance programmes with experience of developing and co-ordinating complex field-based research projects in potentially challenging environments with potentially changing priorities/tight deadlines
• Demonstration of an active research profile through peer review publication record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases and experience of drafting briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders for project meetings and/or training purposes and evidence of continuing professional development with high degree of self-motivation .
• Ability to prepare and produce evidence based scientific material for dissemination to a broad range of stakeholders, including non-specialists, as required with ability to identify scientific issues drawn from multiple sources, undertake comprehensive literature reviews, assess materials with conflicting states and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decisions

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of staff recruitment, selection and supervision
• Experience of contributing to successful research proposals

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 5 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. 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). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500.

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 used, the pile(s) that meets ALL essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• PhD in medical entomology or MSc and postgraduate experience or degree with substantial relevant experience and significant experience in medical entomology including identification of arthropods, field and laboratory-based techniques, public health communication, risk assessment and statistical analyses
• Experience of contributing to large scale vector surveillance programmes with experience of developing and co-ordinating complex field-based research projects in potentially challenging environments with potentially changing priorities/tight deadlines
• Demonstration of an active research profile through peer review publication record and knowledge of the key public health issues surrounding vector-borne diseases and experience of drafting briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders for project meetings and/or training purposes and evidence of continuing professional development with high degree of self-motivation.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at our Scientific Campus, Porton.

When face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview in the form of questions.

There will be a Presentation.

• Please prepare a 10-minute presentation on the following topic: Identify one current challenge relating to vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in the UK and explain how you would approach addressing it.

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

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 - This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.

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) working at our campus.

Security Clearance Level Requirement Please

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

When based at our scientific campus, 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.

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. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.