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About the job
Job summary
Job description
Location
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.
This role is based at our London Colindale office with opportunities for an element of working from home.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.
*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, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Responsibilities section:
As a Bioinformatician your main responsibilities will include:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Contribute to day-to-day running and maintenance of the software and computer systems delivering existing SSRS Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) pipelines.
- Perform phylogenetic analysis for outbreak investigation including writing reports/preparing slide decks for Outbreak Management Meetings. Support the identification and sharing of best bioinformatics practice.
- Work with other UKHSA Bioinformaticians to develop new and revalidate existing bioinformatics pipelines for reference service and provide service development for organisms within SSRS, prioritizing workloads and adjust to accommodate urgent work items.
- Analyse data from Service Development or Research projects assigned to the post holder, accepting responsibility for generating reports within agreed timelines.
- Provide in depth characterisation and genome annotation to identify possible genetic markers of clinical importance.
- Explore the use of long-read sequencing methodologies (e.g. nanopore sequencing) for service development.
- Compile in and manage appropriate in-house databases with the complex data arising from whole-genome sequencing.
- Train others in the use of tools developed.
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.
Please see the attached Job Description for further information.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
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
- Degree in Bioinformatics or equivalent maths/computational/life science.
- Professional knowledge and skills in
bioinformatics and related technologies - Application and adaptation of bioinformatics tools to analyse biological data using unix command.
- Experience in the analysis of large molecular datasets (incl. next-generation / whole genome sequences)
- Experience of bioinformatics tool use, preferably to the analysis of microbial DNA
- Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
Desirable
- Knowledge of molecular microbiology and molecular epidemiology
- Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics
- Knowledge of PostgreSQL or similar RDBMS
- Ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
Benefits
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- 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%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This stage will involve an interview by video.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
You will also be required to complete a Bioinformatics test following the interview stage. Details of this test will be discussed during interview.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
Strategic cluster setting direction:
People cluster engaging people:
- Collaborating and partnering
- Building capability for all
Performance cluster delivering results:
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 28th August 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: 5th September 2023
Interviews: 14th & 15th September 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
OR
This role is to be appointed under NHS Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Hannah Burton
- Email : hannah.burton@reed.com
Recruitment team
- Email : UKHSA.recruitment@reed.com
