Senior Climate Change Scientist (Climate and Health Scenarios and Modelling)

Job title – Senior Climate Change Scientist (Climate and Health Scenarios and Modelling)

Profession– Science

Directorate – Centre for Climate and Health Security – Scientific Strategy and Development

Full Time equivalent – 37.5 hours

No of Roles – 1

Contract Type – Permanent

Location – Remote

Working Pattern – Full Time /Part Time / Flexible Working/ Hybrid Working/ Job Share

Grade & Salary – Grade SEO. National banding £37,056 – £42,481. Outer London – £38,967 – £44,240. Inner London – £40,876  –  £45,998

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.

Closing Date – 31/08/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

Interview Date – W/C 18/09/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Introduction   

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

Job Overview

The post forms part of the Centre for Climate and Health Security’s (CCHS) Climate Change and Health Team (CCH). The post holder will work with a small team of scientists providing support to the CCH Team Leader, to the Centre for Climate and Health Security (CCHS), UKHSA and others on work related to climate change and health security.

The post holder will provide expert advice on the human health effects of climate change, particularly in relation to data analytics and impact assessment relating to environmental change and environmental sustainability. The post holder will also provide support for climate change adaptation policies through collaboration with the UKHSA Policy Team and contribute to UKHSA capacity in climate-health impact assessment and data analytics, including fulfilling commitments to the Climate Change Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Programme, for example. This post will contribute to the research programme of the CCH Team, with a view to publishing peer reviewed articles, securing external funding and contributing to the objectives of the CCHS. The post will contribute mainly to CCHS Theme 4: Climate and Health Scenarios and Modelling.

The post holder will represent the CCH Team as a member of various scientific and policy related working groups with external stakeholders in Government and academia and others. They will seek out and develop collaborative working between the CCH Team and other stakeholders, both within UKHSA and externally. They will work closely with the other members of the CCH Team and other teams across UKHSA and deputise for senior staff as required.

Main Duties of the Job

• Develop and provide expert scientific advice on the impact of climate change on health, drawing on leading methods in data analytics (e.g. environmental epidemiology, health impact modelling including interventions, econometrics, net zero health co-benefits, adaptation scenarios) in the context of environmental change, on public health.
• Develop modelling capability using available meteorological, environmental, epidemiological, climate and health modelling approaches.
• Analyse model output and available datasets of climate, environmental and health parameters with emphasis on public health implications.
• Assist UKHSA, academic collaborators, government officials and officials in national and international bodies in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area and in the provision of advice.
• Assist in the provision of specialist advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals on climate and environmental health issues as appropriate during an emergency situation.
• Undertaking the necessary Research and Development to underpin UKHSA’s capability to provide advice on environmental change and health.
• Contribute to research programmes on climate change and health in collaboration with academic partners and the Met Office.
• Collect, analyse and interpret complex meteorological, health and environmental information.
• Provide advice concerning current and future weather, emissions and other environmental factors relating to environmental health. Provide advice on the adaptation approaches that may be most useful for reducing disease burden.
• Write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications related to the postholder’s area of scientific work.
• Undertaking peer reviews of draft publications prepared by outside individuals, as required from time to time by journals.
• Provide input to and review appropriate consultation documents on government policy, issued by other agencies and government departments, on an ad hoc basis.
• Contribute to the delivery of the CCHS’s research programme which will underpin UKHSA’s capability to provide scientific advice on environmental change and health. This will include:
• Developing proposals for projects which are scientifically sound, appropriate and relevant to UKHSA and CCHS’s aims and objectives.
• Seeking external funding where appropriate and negotiating the relevant contracts. Ensuring the research work is undertaken within appropriate and relevant quality management systems.
• Ensuring all data/ information generated within the Climate Change work programme is stored in an appropriate manner ideally in an electronic form consistent with UKHSA information management policies.
• Communicating scientific results in peer reviewed journals and at conferences as well as in PHE publications.
• Contributing to training courses run by UKHSA and also by external bodies as appropriate.

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 directorate.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Occasional domestic travel to UKHSA offices may be required including overnight stays. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;

Internal

• Daily with CCH team leader and other scientific and administrative staff throughout CCHS.
• Frequently with Deputy Director of the CCHS and other members of the Centre.
• Frequently with staff in other Directorates and Divisions of UKHSA, including Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate, Regional Directors, senior management and consultants.
• Frequently with corporate function staff.

External

• Frequently with collaborating scientists worldwide at a professional level.
• Senior scientists/ managers in official bodies such as Department of Health and Social Care and International bodies such as WHO about:

o          The development of health protection advice, in support of CCH’s team leader,

o          Contract or project work to be undertaken by UKHSA within the team is scientifically sound of relevance and benefit to UKHSA, and that UKHSA’s interests are protected.

• University staff to Professorial level to develop collaborative research
• University students for teaching lectures and examinations
• As required with other UKHSA stakeholders and key agencies including Local Authorities, emergency responders, health and other government departments and agencies, at a strategic and operational level as CCHS representative advising on and climate change and related environmental issues. This may also involve responding to media queries.
• Periodically with members of the public representing the UKHSA at public meetings to answer queries in the post-holders specialist area of expertise.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant PhD qualification in data modelling and analytics for climate-health, for example meteorology, climatology, physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, mathematical modelling or a Masters plus PhD-equivalent relevant expertise and experience
• Modelling, climate science, data analytics, or environmental epidemiology background, for example technical expertise in running climate, meteorological, environmental epidemiology, or climate-health econometrics models and analyzing output
• Experience in climate change related research
• Experience of undertaking research and development
• Experience of undertaking quantitative health impact assessments
• Working knowledge of programming languages for analysis (e.g. R, python, Matlab or similar languages).
• Analysis of complex data sets
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Writing papers and research proposals, communication and collaboration
• Equality and diversity
• 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 management systems

Desirable Criteria:

• Environmental Public Health training or equivalent postgraduate qualification
• Training course design and delivery skills
• Familiarity with Information Management protocols

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : sophie rigney
• Email : sophie.rigney@reed.com

Recruitment team

• Email : hradmin@phe.gov.uk