About 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.
Period of placements
Placement start date: April 2026 onwards
Duration: 3 months
Working pattern and location of placements
Placements will be remote/hybrid with occasional office/event attendance, but this is at the successful candidate’s discretion. Our head office is in Canary Wharf, we also have offices in Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham.
Full-time is preferred so you can fully immerse yourself in the team and project, but we will work flexibly if part-time hours are required. Placements must be completed in one continuous block due to IT and data access/security requirements.
Placements
The UKHSA are offering a number of placements which will be suitable for PIPS:
- D&D and AI Digital Delivery (MT)
- Digital and Data Mapping (P)
- Digital & Data Product Analysis (L)
- Digital & Data Project Management
- UKHSA Health Data Model DTP Placement
Please use the links below to see further information on each placement:
How to apply
Closing date for applications: 31st May 2026
Application format: CV and a 500/1000-word (max) cover letter to evidence how you fit the project requirements, skills and what you can bring to this role.
How to submit an application:
Send your CV and a cover letter (max 500/1000 words) to the CDO Partnerships Team, UKHSA, [email protected] with the subject line of the role to which you’re applying e.g. “AI Digital Delivery DTP application”.
Please note this opportunity is being advertised at multiple universities.
Support for students
UKHSA is an excellent placement opportunity as we have a developed culture of learning and development, fostered in an inclusive environment. To ensure that the postholder has opportunities to expand their skillsets and to develop professionally, we can provide some training in analysis, where required, but we also encourage the student to engage with subject matter experts and other early career researchers (ECR) across the UKHSA. At UKHSA, we have a thriving Early Career Research network led by our CDO Partnerships team. The student will have the opportunity to join and be supported by the ECR network within the UKHSA, and by other ECRs and team members within the host team. The ECR network has fortnightly meetings to bring learning and development opportunities to placement students as well as quarterly away days at our head office.