Call out – Early Career Researchers at the Joint Biosecurity Centre

Posted on January 21, 2021 by -

We are looking for PhD or postdoctoral researchers to join the Joint Biosecurity Centre
(JBC) as paid Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to apply their expertise and skills for initially 3 months, full- or part-time (extension possible). The JBC provides evidence-based, objective analysis, assessment and advice to inform local and national decision-making in response to COVID-19 outbreaks. Its objective is to break the chains of COVID transmission to protect the public’s
health. The JBC is an integral part of the NHS Test and Trace Service within the Department of Health and Social Care, working in partnership with Public Health England (PHE). For more information
see: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-biosecurity-centre).

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Person Specifications:

One or more skill required:

You are a PhD student or post-doctoral researcher who is capable to operate across different disciplines and specialises in one or preferably more of the following areas:

  • Genomics
  • Public health policy
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Social and Behavioural Sciences
  • Data science and complex data analysis
  • Quantitative and qualitative/mixed methods skills in data analysis, vaccines or epidemiology

• Expert Excel skills for manipulating data and merging data sets

  • Research evaluation methods
  • Behavioural insights
  • Coding e.g. R or Python/SQL

We expect all candidates to be able to communicate complex information succinctly (verbally and in writing) and to work pro-actively with various teams across the organisation.

Benefits to you:

• The opportunity to apply your expertise and research in practice and in direct response to the most pressing challenges related to COVID-19.
• Being exposed to the mechanisms the UK Government uses to inform health protection actions/strategies and COVID-19 policy making.

• Interact with other organisations, government departments, teams, and ECRs, working across different projects, communicating with various stakeholders.
• Increase your professional development and horizons across academic and non-academic audiences, and shape your future career.

If you are interested in joining the JBC, please provide your cover letter (max 1 page of 11 Ariel) and CV (max 2 pages 11 Ariel) by email to jbc.researchandpartnerships@dhsc.gov.uk by 19th January 2021 midnight with the subject: ECR JBC Placement. In your Cover Letter:
please 1.present your expertise, 2. your ability to operate across different disciplines and sectors, 3.how your skills apply to this role, and 4. what you expect from the placement.

This is what one of the Early Career Researcher at JBC said about his experience:

“Working at the JBC has been immensely rewarding, getting to work in a fast-paced environment with talented people working together to tackle the Coronavirus Crisis that affects us all. My Doctoral studies will be benefited from the opportunity to put many of the ideas I am working on into
practice” PhD candidate – Luke Bevan, UCL Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP).