Epidemiological Scientist (ID4053)

Government Recruitment Service; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Southwestern Ontario is seeking an Epidemiologist to support the delivery of public health research and surveillance projects. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Epidemiology, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage multidisciplinary projects effectively. Responsibilities include designing studies, engaging with stakeholders, and presenting findings. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to research that impacts animal and plant health.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in designing and delivering epidemiological research projects.
• Familiarity with data analysis methodologies and tools.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of research and surveillance projects.
• Design and analyze epidemiological studies.
• Manage projects to meet objectives on time and within budget.
• Engage with farmers and conduct field sampling as needed.
• Present findings at meetings and conferences.

Skills

Epidemiological expertise

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Degree in Epidemiology or related field

Job description

Overview

Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?

Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare?

Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility?

If so, why not join us and make a difference.

More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of a diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes. We are responsible for identifying, managing, and controlling incidents and outbreaks of endemic and exotic diseases and pests in animals, plants, and bees, as well as carrying out research. We provide unique capabilities and an evidence base for UK government, together with international reference centre responsibilities.

The Department of Epidemiological Sciences (DES) is a nationally important, multidisciplinary department with expert skills in epidemiology, statistics, risk analysis, modelling, and data science. The successful applicant will play a critical role in the department’s function supporting government policy making through research and surveillance activities.

In this role, you will apply your epidemiological expertise to support the delivery of epidemiological research and surveillance projects in the fields of national and international veterinary public health. This post will require liaison with APHA colleagues, external customers and delivery partners, provision of epidemiological, analytical and management input to various projects, design of epidemiological studies and generation of reports on surveillance trends.

The successful candidate will be contributing to the design, analysis, and successful delivery of epidemiology projects. You will be required to work both independently and collaboratively in supporting all aspects of study scoping, design, and delivery. They will be expected to assist with writing up findings in scientific literature and internal reports and present at meetings and conferences and to government policy customers. They will also be expected to maintain an up-to-date understanding of the science and methodologies relevant to the projects they are engaged in, building relationships, and collaborating with expert colleagues in APHA.

Main responsibilities include:

• Development, maintenance, and application of expertise in epidemiology and the control of infectious diseases, GB livestock systems and endemic and exotic disease threats.
• Maintaining existing and building new working relationships with members of multidisciplinary project teams and with internal and external customers and stakeholders.
• Managing projects or tasks to ensure successful delivery of project objectives on time and within planned budgets.
• Engagement of farmers in project activities and assist with conducting farm/abattoir sampling visits and questionnaire delivery, as required.
• Conducting appropriate descriptive, univariable and multivariable analysis on datasets to address research and questions and intervention monitoring.
• Overseeing and contributing to the production of routine disease surveillance reports, progress & final reports for research projects and scientific publications.
• Presenting results at meetings and events - internal, stakeholder, customer, scientific.
• Ensuring that work meets relevant quality standards.
• Staff management including training, as necessary.
• Providing wider flexible epidemiological support to DES as required in response to changing work requirements and priorities (such as in a disease outbreak).