Senior Geospatial Data Scientist- NHS Test & Trace

What you'll do

The Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) is an integral part of NHS Test and Trace, acting as its central analysis and insight function. It brings together data, epidemiological, surveillance and policy capabilities to provide timely insights for decision-makers.

Since June 2020 the JBC has been critical in the UK government’s COVID-19 response. Its responsibilities include advising the UK’s four CMOs on the COVID-19 Alert Level, providing regular situational awareness to ministers, leading public health assessments to inform UK border policy, and coordinating and delivering response policy with local authorities and cross-government partners. It does this working closely with Public Health England, the Devolved Administrations and leading academics.

From April 2021 JBC became part of the newly formed UK Health Security Agency. The UKHSA will revolutionise UK health protection, providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. It will ensure the nation can respond quickly and at greater scale to deal with pandemics and future threats.

You will be working with a highly motivated and passionate group of people, who have come together from across the country, to work on the biggest health and economic challenge that our nation has ever faced. You will be working alongside them in an exciting and fast paced environment with an unparalleled opportunity to make your mark on government policy and the future of UK health protection.

We have all been affected by COVID-19. This is your opportunity to help and make a difference, working at the heart of the battle to defeat COVID-19.

This role will be based in Leeds and/or London and may require travel to other NHS Test & Trace sites/office. Your salary will also be linked to the base location from which you will be expected to fulfil the duties of the role. Due to current COVID 19 pandemic restrictions we anticipate you will be working remotely. This is a temporary arrangement and you will be expected in due course to attend your office location, as required.

NHS Test & Trace is moving to the new UK Health Security Agency later in 2021 which may result in some roles being performed from a regional office. This should be taken into account when applying for this role. Please note you must be a habitual resident in the UK to apply for this role.

Geospatial Data Scientists within the Joint Biosecurity Centre and NHS Test and Trace can be expected to support work across the following areas:

• Provide analysis and assessment to Covid-19 outbreaks;
• Set the COVID-19 Alert level;
• Provide Local Authorities, Directors of Public Health (DPH) and the Public Health England network with analysis and assessment to identify the likelihood of infection flare-ups in their areas;
• Compile evidence, including area and population context, influencers, early signals, outbreak indicators, and direct Test and Trace result data
• Perform hypothesis testing and analysis to understand the effectiveness of the Test and Trace system and other types of intervention;
• Create live dashboards to present data and analysis, including performance monitoring for Test and Trace or indicating changes in infection rates across the UK.
• Engage with partners in wider government, academia and the private sector to gain access to new data sources and information.

Who you are

Experience Required:

• Good understanding and experience in applying geospatial techniques to real world problems and in the context of multidisciplinary data science work.
• Proven experience with Python and/or R for geospatial analysis and data science, and familiarity with GIS software (QGIS, ArcGIS etc.)
• Understanding and experience of cartographic principles and production of engaging mapping products.
• Understanding of UK’s statistical and administrative geographies, postcode directories, and familiarity with Ordnance Survey products.
• Engage in activities to build and support the geospatial data science community.
• Establishing solutions to business problems using innovative and domain appropriate solutions. Provide expert advice on business problems that benefit from geographical insight.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and using agile methods.
• Ability to effectively communicate the results of your analysis to senior stakeholders and decision makers.
• Understanding how to write SQL queries and interact with Databases.
• Ability to write functions and understandable object orientated code.
• Understanding of software best practice, including confident use of version control using platforms such as Github.
• A technical background in Microsoft SQL Databases, Microsoft Reporting Tools (SSRS, PowerBI) and Microsoft data extraction methods (SSIS).

Technical Skills:

• Programming and build
• Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices
• Geospatial data analysis

Essential Qualifications:

• A first or second class honours undergraduate degree, and/or higher degree (MSc / PhD) with a substantial geography or GIS component; or
• Have worked in the geospatial field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in geospatial analysis and data science at the same level as a foundation degree/HND (Level 5)

How to apply

Simple, hit apply. We only ask for a CV and Cover Letter/Statement of Suitability to be uploaded to our job portal. Important tip - please ensure that your Statement of Suitability includes how you meet the Skills and Experience listed above.

You will be assessed on the both technical and civil service competencies at interview.

• A test will be sent 1 hour before the interview – this will be assessed through technical questions during the interview
• Technical questions will be asked based on the skills outline in the job advert

How you'll be assessed

In the Civil Service, we use our Success Profiles. For each role we advertise we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We will be looking at your experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the specific job role.

For this role we will be assessing your ability, strength, experience, technical/specialist skills and behaviours, the following behaviours are the most relevant:

Things you need to know

You can find out about the application process and practical details like our office locations on the things you need to know page.