Healthcare Scientist Practitioner

NHS Scotland; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare organization in Scotland is seeking a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner to support infection control efforts. The role involves providing scientific advice, conducting literature reviews, and collaborating on research. Candidates should have a degree in a scientific field, excellent communication skills, and knowledge of public health and epidemiology. This position offers a hybrid working pattern with benefits including a pension and work-life balance policies.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Work-life balance policies

Occupational health services

Learning resource centres

Discounted leisure and shopping benefits

Qualifications

• Degree level education in a scientific or clinical subject is required.
• Proven track record as a team player and effective collaborator.
• Knowledge in health protection, epidemiology, and infection control is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support consultants and senior staff in providing scientific information.
• Conduct scientific literature reviews and present epidemiological evidence.
• Collaborate with other groups in research activities.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Team player

Knowledge of NHS

Epidemiology

Public health

Infection control

Education

Degree in scientific or clinical subject

Job description

About The Organisation

National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.

The Post

This is an exciting opportunity for a Healthcare Scientist Practitioner to join ARHAI (Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection) Scotland. Part of NHS Scotland Assure, ARHAI leads and supports efforts to prevent healthcare associated infection by means of guidance development, surveillance, operational support and training, covering areas such as incident and outbreak management, decontamination, the built environment, research and infection prevention and control expertise.

The Candidate

The post holder will be required to support consultants, programme leads or senior scientific staff in the provision of specialised information, advice and support to stakeholders. This will include the provision of scientific literature reviews, appraisal, interpretation and presentation of epidemiological evidence and participation in relevant research activities. The post holders will provide support across ARHAI Scotland and collaborate with other groups involved in this area.

You will be educated to degree level in a scientific or clinical subject. Successful candidates will have excellent communication and organisational skills, will have a proven track record as a team player and be able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Knowledge of the NHS, health protection, epidemiology, public health and infection control would be advantageous.

It is vital that you demonstrate the NSS values of working with respect and care, openness and integrity, to focus on our customers, demonstrate commitment to each other and excel and improve.

Job Description Notice Of Change

Antimicrobial Resistance & Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland is part of National Services Scotland. The group was formally part of Health Protection Scotland within National Services Scotland but was under Public Health and Intelligence. As the result of recent structural changes, job description(s) associated with current vacancies still reflect the Health Protection Scotland brand and structure.

Candidates are advised that all job description(s) shall be updated over the coming months to reflect ARHAI Scotland branding and organisational structure changes.

Location and Working Pattern

Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Delta House, Glasgow.

Currently hybrid working.

Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week.

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 NSS.

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. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on [e-mail].

Further Information

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Rebecca Andrews, Advanced Healthcare Scientist at [e-mail].

Closing date for completed applications is 12th November 2025.

Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).

NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.