18 Placements available in the Chief Data Officer Group, UKHSA.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). At UKHSA, our mission is to protect people’s health by preventing and responding to threats—whether that’s a new pandemic, everyday infections like influenza, or environmental dangers like radiation or extreme weather. We save lives, protect livelihoods, and work with partners across the NHS, care systems, and globally to keep communities safe.
We’re a hub of scientific and operational expertise, tackling health challenges at every level—local, national, and international. The Chief Data Officer (CDO) group is the analytical powerhouse of UKHSA and plays a key role in making sure data is used safely, legally, and ethically. We support every step of the data journey—from collecting and managing information to analytics and delivering insights that drive real-world action.
If you’re passionate about using data to make a difference and want to help solve big health challenges, there’s a place for you here in the CDO group
Role Summary
As part of the CDO family, you will be matched with one of our teams to gain hands-on experience with data analytics in public health, observing how UKHSA delivers evidence-based insights to the government. You’ll learn how our teams collaborate to protect public health, gaining insights into daily operations such as policy drafting, strategy, data analysis, and project management.
We work hard to make all our interns feel welcome and positive about their experience. When you join us, we provide training, supervision, support and mentoring to enable you to make the most out of the opportunity. We normally have multiple interns with us at any one time, so you will have access to a network of like-minded peers for support that meet and chat frequently.
Join us and be part of a dynamic and diverse range of impactful projects shaping public health responses and strategy. As part of our Infectious Disease Modelling team, you could be leading epidemiological modelling and analysis on COVID-19, Mpox, climate-related vector-borne diseases, and Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear threats. Opportunities also exist within our Health Analytics and Automation Team, where you might assess the use of AI tools like MS Co-pilot or lead strategic work on operationalising open-source coding across government. We have an exciting opportunity to work in the buzz of the CDO Private Office.
Here you will learn so much, from strategy to stakeholder engagement with senior civil service members such as our Director General, Professor Steven Riley, working not just across the agency but across government. We continually develop and strengthen our infectious disease surveillance tools across an array of public health areas so it’s a great opportunity to join us and contribute towards meaningful public health policy.
Wastewater surveillance is fast becoming valuable for tracking public health threats like COVID-19 and poliovirus. You could join this pioneering team interpreting complex data and helping shape clear policy guidance. Our Emerging Hazards team offers roles in forecasting global disease scenarios and evaluating overseas health system capabilities, while the AI Delivery Team is driving pan-agency transformation in AI adoption—perfect for those skilled in project management, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.
Join our Geospatial team with some hands-on research into health disparities and the effects of extreme weather on vulnerable populations. Join the Epidemiological Insight Team, providing critical epidemiological evidence, supporting analytical tools, and enhancing the quality and impact of UKHSA publications. Finally, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to conduct user research and inform the design of data products like the UKHSA dashboard.
What are they looking for?
- Background or interest in one or more of the following areas is advantageous: Public health policy, Genomics, Epidemiology, Infectious diseases, Health inequalities, Geospatial data, Statistics or Social and Behavioural Sciences.
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals passionate about making a difference and driving change for
public good. - Experience with data analysis, including skills for data manipulation, data merging and analysing data to
identify trends. - Good communication skills
- Quantitative and qualitative or mixed methods skills in data analysis, vaccines or epidemiology. This may include coding skills, e.g., R, Python, or SQL
Applying
Applications will be shortlisted, and interviews will be conducted via MS Teams to select the most appropriate candidates and match to a team.
Successful candidates will then be asked to sign an agreement after security checks have been completed.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for the whole onboarding process, at the higher end if you are an international student.
Location and Working Arrangements
The position will be remote based although your team will arrange occasional days to meet up, attend related events or meetings. Our head office is based in Canary Wharf, London, so if you live nearby and wish to work in the office frequently, we can arrange a government pass. We also have other offices in Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool which you can attend. UKHSA supports flexible working, if you complete your set weekly hours, you can work with your line manager to find a suitable working pattern for you.
Contacts
Kat Paes, CDO Partnerships Manager, UKHSA
Email: kat.paes@ukhsa.gov.uk or CDOPartnerships@ukhsa.gov.uk
Tel: +44 20 7123 1675