Job Advert
Principal Epidemiologist
About the Organisation:
Public Health Scotland launched on 1st April 2020 as a national health board, employing around 1200 people, and with an annual budget of around £101 million. Public Health Scotland wants to see a Scotland where everybody thrives, a Scotland where life expectancy improves, and the difference in life expectancy between our poorest and wealthiest areas gets smaller.
The Post:
Public Health Scotland is establishing a new epidemiology team within its Clinical, Health Intelligence, and Research division. The CHIR division provides clinical, public health, and academic leadership for the organisation on all aspects of population health improvement, reduction of health inequalities, and healthcare public health (except those directly relating to communicable disease and environmental health).
We are looking for principal epidemiologists to join this new team, initially covering topics such as congenital and rare conditions and pregnancy and newborn screening, healthcare and burden of disease. Roles may evolve over time in line with national public health priorities.
The post holder(s) will develop and lead work on their agreed topics, liaising closely with the relevant Consultant in Public Health topic lead and working with data development, analyst and health improvement teams from across the organisation as well as external stakeholders. Key elements of the roles will include leading specialist epidemiological analyses alongside interpretation and presentation of findings within their broader context to inform population health improvement and reduction of health inequalities. Findings will be presented in various formats including official statistics, peer reviewed publications, briefings, and presentations to maximise impact. Line management of other members of the epidemiology team and provision of training for the wider public health workforce may be required.
The Candidate:
We are seeking individual(s) with excellent epidemiological and interpersonal skills and the ability to lead complex and often evolving projects.
Essential attributes will include:
• A relevant primary degree and a postgraduate qualification in and/or substantial experience of advanced epidemiology
• Highly developed and up to date skills in epidemiological methods, advanced quantitative data analyses, and use of relevant statistical analysis tools such as R
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an ability to present detailed and complex information to various stakeholders
• Flexibility, commitment, and an ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• Experience of managing complex projects and of providing training or supervision
Desirable attributes will include:
• Knowledge of (one of) the specific topics outlined above
• Knowledge of freedom of information and confidentiality principles
• Knowledge of good research practice principles and associated tools including reproducible approaches to data analysis
We would love to hear from candidates interested in these complex but rewarding roles.
The successful candidate(s) will be required to undergo a PVG Scheme check. Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.
Location and Working Pattern:
Successful applicants could be based in Public Health Scotland’s offices in either Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Central Quay, Glasgow.
Please note that PHS will relocate from Central Quay, Glasgow to Bothwell Street, Glasgow in late 2024.
Hybrid working (with remote/from home working for part of the week) is available.
The standard working pattern is 37 hours per week over Monday to Friday, however PHS supports flexible working, and we are happy to discuss requests for alternative working patterns.
During times of public health emergency, or other urgent business need, you may be required on a temporary basis to work your normal contracted working hours over 7 days including weekends, in order to meet the needs of the service.
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with PHS.
Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres, and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. Click here to view the full range of the PHS Employee Benefits.
Further Information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Diane Stockton, Consultant in Public Health and CHIR Divisional lead at diane.stockton2@phs.scot.
Closing date for completed applications is 22nd April 2024
Further information on PHS is available from: www.publichealthscotland.scot
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
Public Health Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.