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Epidemiological Data Scientist (Advanced)

Public Health Wales NHS Trust
Full-time
On-site
Cardiff, Cardiff, United Kingdom

 

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

Our vision is Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales

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Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference

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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.

 

 

 

Job overview

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 19 MONTHS DUE TO FUNDING.

We a looking for an Advanced Epidemiological Data Scientist to join Public Health Wales’ the Engineering, Data Science and Genomic Epidemiology (EDGE) specialty group in Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC). The exciting opportunity is ideal for data scientists with a passion for infectious disease modelling and surveillance. You will be contributing to the development of infectious disease modelling and enhancing analytical pipelines to transform our existing data infrastructure to cloud platforms.

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This is a senior role that will develop the use of data science techniques to support the work of CDSC. The postholder will develop mathematical and epidemiological models which simulate the spread of infectious diseases. The post holder will develop methods and processes to maintain existing surveillance systems and set up new ones. This will include the management, maintenance and quality improvement of data flows to CDSC The post holder will work with senior epidemiologists to implement emerging methods in data science such as data linkage and machine learning and explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence. The post holder will also work closely with microbiologists to develop new surveillance methods using the results of whole genome sequencing of pathogens, and will also have a role in supporting field epidemiology activities. 
 
 The post-holder will use highly developed skills in data science, health informatics and project management to define, interpret and provide solutions to complex public health problems. This will involve framing problems in epidemiological terms, analysing complex data sets, ensuring outputs from projects are delivered to time and reporting findings to stakeholders, including the public, health professionals within Public Health Wales, the NHS, Health Boards and Welsh Government. 
 
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 agency 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.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will be required to communicate analytical, statistical, epidemiological and evidence-based results and issues to a wide range of internal and external staff, and assist in guiding them on an appropriate course of action.

The above will require excellent negotiating skills, appropriate tailoring of explanations to the audience involved, and explanations of sometimes contentious data.

The post-holder will be required to liaise with a large group of health professionals and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and geographical levels to ensure accuracy and validity of information received, including clinicians, government officials and public health colleagues. This includes representation on inter-agency groups as required.

The post-holder will be required to work with healthcare, local authority and other staff in a diplomatic manner to enable timely and valid field investigations for outbreaks and incidents, including site visits and information gathering.

The post-holder may be required to interview cases and other individuals in the course of field investigations.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

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 [email protected] 

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 you self‑assess your eligibility for sponsorship for this role before applying.
  • Check the Skilled Worker visa guidance or Health and Care visa guidance for details on job eligibility, salary, English language, and sponsorship requirements.

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.