Head of Pathogen Genomics

About the Organisation:
Public Health Scotland launched 1st April 2020 as a national health board, employing around 1200 people, and with an annual budget of around £101 million. Public Health Scotland wants to see a Scotland where everybody thrives, a Scotland where life expectancy improves and the difference in life expectancy between our poorest and wealthiest areas gets smaller.

Public Health Scotland is Scotlands lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotlands 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 Scotlands public health priorities.

The Post:
The post is within the Clinical and Protecting Health (CP&H) Directorate, which protects the people of Scotland from infectious and environmental hazards. The Directorate provides high-quality clinical advice and maintains public health knowledge.
This is a national role and the post-holder will provide expert knowledge and strategic leadership for the Public Health Pathogen Genomics Programme within Public Health Scotland (PHS). They will provide strategic input to the development of services and work with specialist teams across Infection Services and Health Protection Services to ensure that local and national service standards are met or exceeded. 

The post holder will lead on the provision of expert advice providing services to, and working in partnership with, a wide range of strategic partners and stakeholders.

The Candidate:
We are looking for a Consultant/Specialist with extensive expertise and knowledge of Pathogen Genomics, including AMR, with experience within the health protection/public health context at senior level. You will have the ability to prioritise your own work effectively and direct activities of/to others, working with a range of stakeholders in a politically sensitive and changing environment.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a PVG Scheme check.

Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.

Location:
The post is based in either Gyle Square, Edinburgh or at our temporary offices at Central Quay, Glasgow. We are currently hybrid working; therefore, you will be expected to spend time in both PHS offices as well as the option to work at home. Please note that PHS will be relocating from Central Quay, Glasgow to Bothwell Street, Glasgow by early 2025.

Working Pattern:
Monday to Friday, 37 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.

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. Click here to view the full range of the PHS Employee Benefits.

Further Information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Deborah Williamson, Head of Division Public Health Microbiology via email deborah.williamson@phs.scot

Closing date for completed applications is Wednesday 6th November 2024

Further information on PHS is available from: www.publichealthscotland.scot

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

Public Health Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.