Environmental Public Health Scientist (Ambient Air Quality Modelling Science)

Environmental Public Health Scientist (Ambient Air Quality Modelling Science)

SEO National £38,724 - £44,393

SEO Inner London £42,716 - £48,068

SEO Outer London £40,721 - £46,231

Based from any National EHE Office location

(Chilton, Bristol, London, Nottingham, Cambridge, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester)

Permanent Contract

UKHSA’s Environmental Hazards and Emergencies (EHE) Department is at the forefront of delivering expert scientific guidance to key stakeholders, including the government and the NHS, on the public health implications of environmental hazards and chemical exposures.

About the EHE Department:

Our multidisciplinary team, spread across the North, Midlands, and South, operates from nine strategic locations to deliver expert guidance on non-infectious environmental exposures at both local and national levels. Along with two specialist groups, Air Quality & Public Health and Noise & Health, the Department is dedicated to providing high-level advice on the public health ramifications of non-infectious environmental exposures, both acute and chronic.

Regional Teams based in London, Chilton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Cambridge and Bristol, are the backbone of frontline support for the UKHSA and local partners.

In your role within the chemical and environmental hazards team, you’ll tackle health threats posed by chemical incidents, delivering vital public health risk assessments, navigating challenges such as chemical fires, environmental contamination, or intentional chemical releases.

Role Overview:

Position: Environmental Public Health Scientist (SEO)

Location: Chilton, Bristol, London, Nottingham, Cambridge, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.

You will be expected to attend contractual base office regularly and meetings nationally, with potential for flexible working arrangements as per UKHSA policy

Working Pattern - Full Time

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.

Responsibilities include:

• To lead and provide specialist advice on air quality modelling of atmospheric processes. The majority of this will concern physical processes but may include related aspects of chemistry, statistics and risk assessment. In the main, this work will concern the application of airborne pollutant emissions.
• To undertake assessments for modelling and monitoring. The assessments will focus on the scientific methods used, the key assumptions made and the risks to the environment, associated with any uncertainties. This role may occasionally require participation in key meetings and the presentation of scientific information to non-scientists.
• To provide modelling and data analysis of atmospheric processes using a variety of sophisticated modelling software in support of investigative or project work. To author reports and presentations on this work and to use these to make practical recommendations for environmental protection and improvement.
• To develop tools, methods and procedures in support of the tasks detailed above. This will include identifying opportunities to improve the current evidence base.
• To carry out scientific analysis and report results, using a range of specified scientific methods and procedures. Providing advice and information on the environmental significance of the information obtained.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• Good post-graduate Masters degree in a scientific subject (eg. environmental science/chemistry or equivalent experience)
• Knowledge of physical atmospheric processes, particularly those affecting air quality and familiarity with key concepts in atmospheric chemistry
• Knowledge of computer operating systems and their communication, particularly with instrumentation. Basic programming knowledge and knowledge scientific packages (or their equivalents) including ArcGIS, MATLAB, Openair R, Airviro, Surfer
• High level experience of the practical application of Air Modelling software: e.g. ADMS, AERMOD, NAME, CALPUFF
• Experience of managing risks and reporting

· Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to UKHSA staff, and representatives from Government Departments and other organisations. This may require presenting technically complicated information to non-technical staff and members of the public

Desirable

• Knowledge of surveying and position fixing systems
• Experience of building and running CFD models such as: PHOENICS, FLUENT etc., would be an advantage
• Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes
• Good presentation skills for training courses, scientific and more general meetings

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.