Lead Bioinformatician – Head of GPHA

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

This vacancy is for a leadership role in GPHA, Genomics Public Health Analysis unit enabling the team to deliver cutting edge analysis in support of public health decision making.

GPHA’s functions include outbreak response, horizon scanning, emerging infections and developmental work.  Work within the GPHA team is fast paced, responding quickly to changing public health needs. Functions of the team include horizon scanning for new COVID-19 variants; cluster analysis, used together with epidemiological investigation, to inform the understanding of how viruses are being transmitted throughout the population; development of new analysis methods for emerging pathogens, reactive analyses for major national outbreaks, and collaborative working with epidemiology, modelling and academic partners.

Location

61 Colindale Ave, London, NW9 5EQ / 10 S Colonnade, London, E14 4PH / With Hybrid Working

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Provide leadership for bioinformatics issues and service across the Unit including directing, coordinating, negotiating and decision-making to ensure robust bioinformatics services and developing a public health-focused R&D portfolio.
• Build an effective team of bioinformaticians across the Unit and a coordinated network of bioinformatics activities.
• Ensuring development of a TARZET Bioinformatics capability to meet the changing needs of public health microbiology and health protection. This will include having a lead role in bioinformatics and information systems to support the role out of genomics across the division.
• To work with the team data managers and other relevant staff to ensure appropriate and effective management and linkage of genome data across the Division, to fully contribute to the discussions to ensure data standards and to help embed these technologies into routine laboratory service as appropriate.

The technical management, performance and continuing development of GPHA analysis capabilities including:

• Develop, promote and monitor Bioinformatics policies, to apply across the whole Division, arising from interpreting national and governmental strategy and policy, and relevant legislation.
• Plan, organise and implement highly complex projects affecting all Staff and Departments in the development of analysis capabilities, implementation and / or incident response.
• To identify the on-going infrastructure needs for the delivery of genomic analysis services within TARZET, to contribute to scoping, cost and planning exercises to procure and implement the infrastructure.

• To provide expert advice to all levels of UKHSA and external staff on genomic analysis strategies and analytical solutions to underpin UKHSA core horizon scanning activities in diagnostics, Reference, R&D and Surveillance
• To oversee the development of guidelines for the processes of genomic analysis and for pipeline quality standards.
• Contribute to the provision of a corporate focus in ensuring interoperability and/or integration of data and information services and standards across the division.
• To represent GPHA at senior levels where required.

Please see the job description for a full list of responsibilities.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

We are looking for an exceptional Senior Scientist.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years working on bioinformatics in an infectious disease/public health context.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in supervisory role developing and/or implementing bioinformatics systems.
• Proven skills in a variety of bioinformatic scripting and web programming languages.
• Extensive knowledge of specialist areas especially microbial genomics, Genome sequencing technologies.
• Skills for direct line management and job management.

Desirable

• Experience of working at a senior level in specialist area

 Please see the job description for a full list of essential/desirable criteria.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : UKHSA Recruitment Team
• Email : ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com

Recruitment team

• Email : ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com