Bioinformatician

Job Summary

The Bioinformatics and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Software Development unit is part of Chief Data Office within UKHSA's National Infection Service Division. The unit is globally pre-eminent in the design, construction, validation, and deployment of bioinformatics pipelines for the automated analysis of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) data for human bacterial and viral pathogens. Our High-Performance Compute (HPC) cluster runs more than 20 fully reproducible in-house pipelines including SARSCOV2. We also provide support to The National TB unit and the 7 TB control boards by running a TB pipeline in collaboration with Oxford University. Administrationally, the Unit consists of 3 groups, respectively headed by Leads for In-House pipelines, for pipeline development, and for TB sequence service delivery. Contributions from members of each group are not constrained by group membership and are encouraged to be intra-group.

The postholder will contribute across the broad scope of the unit's NGS Service activities, from maintenance and support of existing pipelines to extension of their deployment to further computational architectures (distributed, cloud, local, remote, external).

Main duties of the job

The postholder will contribute across the broad scope of the unit's NGS Service activities, from maintenance and support of existing pipelines to extension of their deployment to further computational architectures (distributed, cloud, local, remote, external).

• Be responsible for day-to-day running and maintenance of the software and computer systems delivering existing UKHSA Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) pipelines.
• Contribute to expanding deployment of existing WGS pipelines to additional computational platforms (internal OpenStack, external cloud)
• Support the identification and sharing of best bioinformatics practice.
• Accept responsibility for refactoring existing WGS software components
• Develop tested, validated, and versioned software components for WGS analyses, incorporate into and validate new WGS pipeline versions
• Satisfy support requests logged through helpdesk
• Analyse data from projects to which you are assigned, accepting responsibility for generating reports within agreed timelines.
• Lead preparation of reports, posters and publications arising from the data
• Represent UKHSA at internal, National, and international meetings.
• Work consistent with the Bioinformatics Unit quality management system, ISO and other accreditation standards; participate in quality audits to support the unit's accredited service.
• Comply with safety and quality protocols and procedures at all times
  
  

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Date posted

11 February 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£44,852 to £50,472 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-LT-310706-EXT

Job locations

Colindale

Colindale

NW9 5EQ

Job Description

Job responsibilities

Communication and key working relationships

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to. This will require a high level of communication skills, disseminating complex technical information, and an ability to communicate complex programmatic and IT issues to non-specialist groups in layman terms. This will include.

Internal

• Substantial interactions with members of the Bioinformatics Team and the Central Sequencing Lab (CSL)
• Regular interactions with Laboratory scientists, embedded bioinformaticians and epidemiologists.
• Substantial interactions within DAS and with central IT (ICT) colleagues.
  
  

External

• Interaction with external scientific computing experts to deliver appropriate technologies through external cloud-based resource and utilising UKHSA computing infrastructure.
• Interactions with collaborating centres (Oxford University, EBI) to deliver software process for analysing WGS data.
  
  

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Bioinformatics or a related life science.
• Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics
• Familiar with Linux/unix; proficient on the CLI
• Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatic analytical approaches.
• Experience of applying diverse bioinformatics tools, preferably to the analysis of microbial DNA
• Experience of developing, modifying, debugging code used for data analysis, preferably python
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, and hard working
• Interested in the advancements of medical microbiology and genomics
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Must be able to use initiative to identify and implement tested solutions with a view to process and service improvement
• Must have ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations, develop a range of options, make recommendations
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
  
  

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed 13 Essential Criteria, And This Will Be In The Form Of A:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1000 word Statement of Suitability.
  
  

This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria
  
  

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics
• Familiar with Linux/unix; proficient on the CLI
• Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatic analytical approaches
  
  

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, ability and strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be:

• Working Together (lead behaviour)
• Delivering at Pace
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and improving
  
  

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria

External-Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Job Description Job Responsibilities

Communication and key working relationships

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal, and external to. This will require a high level of communication skills, disseminating complex technical information, and an ability to communicate complex programmatic and IT issues to non-specialist groups in layman terms. This will include.

Internal

• Substantial interactions with members of the Bioinformatics Team and the Central Sequencing Lab (CSL)
• Regular interactions with Laboratory scientists, embedded bioinformaticians and epidemiologists.
• Substantial interactions within DAS and with central IT (ICT) colleagues.
  
  

External

• Interaction with external scientific computing experts to deliver appropriate technologies through external cloud-based resource and utilising UKHSA computing infrastructure.
• Interactions with collaborating centres (Oxford University, EBI) to deliver software process for analysing WGS data.
  
  

The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be:

• Working Together (lead behaviour)
• Delivering at Pace
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and improving
  
  

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria

External-Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form and statement of suitability Essential

• Application form and statement of suitability
  
  

Behaviours Essential

• Working Together (lead behaviour)
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and improving
  
  

Person Specification Application form and statement of suitability Essential

• Application form and statement of suitability
  
  

Behaviours Essential

• Working Together (lead behaviour)
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and improving
  
  

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

Colindale

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)