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.
The role of the Clinical and Protecting Health Directorate
It 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 5 Healthcare Scientist Practitioner. 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
* Field Epidemiology Team
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.
Location and Working Pattern
The post is based in either Gyle Square, Edinburgh or Bothwell Street, 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.
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.
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.
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 nss.wfrs@nhs.scot
Further Information
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Brian Paris, Service Manager at brian.paris@phs.scot
Closing date for completed applications is 27th May 2026.
Please note, the interviews are going to be in person either Edinburgh / Glasgow.
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).
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