Healthcare Scientist - #186546

About The Organisation

Public Health Scotland is Scotland’s lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotland’s people. Our vision is of a Scotland where everybody thrives. Our focus is on increasing healthy life expectancy and reducing premature mortality. To do this, we use data, intelligence and a place-based approach to lead and deliver Scotland’s public health priorities.

The role of the Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate is to protect the people of Scotland from infectious and environmental hazards; enable high-quality clinical and public health knowledge, research and innovation; and change clinical and public health practice by using audits at a national and local level.

The Post

The Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate are seeking to appoint a Band 6 Healthcare Scientist Advanced. The post-holder will work closely with clinical, scientific, and analytical staff as part of the Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate to contribute to the PHS intelligence surveillance, epidemiology, research and development activities.

While The Current Opportunity Aligns With Priorities Within Health Protection And PHS Strategy, This Recruitment May Result In The Appointment Of More Than One Successful Candidate, Depending On Service Or Business Needs. Public Health Scotland Therefore Reserves The Right To Appoint To Additional Posts Should They Become Available Across Other Relevant Service Areas, Including (but Not Limited To)

• Respiratory Viral and Bacterial teams
• Surveillance
• Health Protection Guidance
• Vaccination and immunisation programmes
• Blood borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections
• Gastrointestinal / Zoonotic infections
• Zoonotic, Emerging Infections and Borders
• Environmental Public Health
  
  

The Candidate

You will work collaboratively with colleagues both internal and external. You will support epidemiologic analyses of the data, coordinating advice and guidance on specialist aspects of the analyses from topic teams where relevant.

You will have good communication skills, as you will have involvement in interpreting and preparing timely communications about the status of the investigations as well as scientific reports and published articles of the results.

If you choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced by AI or similar technologies.

Location and Working Pattern:

The post will be based in Glasgow or Edinburgh. PHS operates a hybrid working model with a mixture of working at home and days in the office each week.

There will be an expectation to travel to local areas for some meetings and events.

The work pattern is Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week.

PHS is a flexible employer, and we are happy to discuss requests for alternative working patterns

During times of public health emergency, or other urgent business need, you may be required on a temporary basis to work your normal contracted working hours over 7 days including weekends, in order to meet the needs of the service.

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 PHS.

Salary placement will start at the bottom point of the scale unless individuals have previous NHS experience.

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.

Inclusion

Public Health Scotland (PHS) is a national NHS board committed to being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming employer. We support a range of flexible working options to help colleagues balance work and personal responsibilities. As an Established Carer Positive employer, we are committed to supporting staff with caring responsibilities and fostering a flexible, understanding workplace culture. We offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support colleagues to grow and thrive. Staff are also welcome to join our active equality networks. As an equal opportunities and Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria, and we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience.

PHS is working towards becoming a trauma informed organisation and recognises that trauma may affect people in different ways, including during the recruitment process.

If you need reasonable adjustments or support, please contact the Recruitment Team on

Further Information

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Patricia Kennedy, Service Manager via email

Closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 19th May 2026.

Further Information On PHS Is Available From

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