Apply Now
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Length of employment
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Job title Senior Bioinformatician
Profession– Bioinformatics
Directorate CPH
Full Time equivalent – 37.5 hours
No of Roles 2
Contract Type Fixed Term Contract for 12 months
Location Colindale/Canary Wharf /Remote
UKHSA offers hybrid working or home working for its employees this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. 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 /Hybrid Working/ Flexible Working/ Part Time/ Home Working
Grade & Salary Grade 7. National banding – £49,592 – £58,769 Inner London – £53,396 -£62,286. Outer London – £51,494 – £60,528
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.
Closing Date 21/08/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Interview Date w/c 11/09/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Overview of Job
The Genomics Public Health Analysis Unit has been established in the UK Health Security Agency as part of the TARZET division with the remit to use genomic data generated locally or internationally to help inform policy decisions and support public health through, for example, investigations of specific outbreaks. The post-holder will work as a senior data scientist to lead on analysis of genomic data, interpretation of analyses and production of reports for dissemination to; local outbreak response teams, Incident Management Teams, and other internal or external groups.
Job description
- As the post-holder will support the continuing analysis of SARS-CoV2 sequence data, they must be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of viral bioinformatics programmes and a knowledge of basic virology.
- The post-holder will be a senior bioinformatician with experience in sequence analysis, phylogenetics, correlation of genotypic and phenotypic traits, cluster investigation. Specific analyses will include:
- role of importation on the UK cases,
- evidence for clade expansion / extinction,
- analysis of spread in healthcare settings,
- monitoring the impact of diversity on diagnostic assays,
- identification of genetic markers for outcome / transmission / treatment
- The post-holder will work as part of a team to develop and edit analytical reports which will be collated to address public health questions based on analysis of sequence data from across the country.
- The post-holder will supervise a dynamic, responsive team often working intensely to short deadlines.
- The Genomics Public Health Analysis Unit supports genomic components of enhanced incidents across the organisation regardless of the pathogen being investigated. The post holder will therefore need to demonstrate excellent co-ordination, communication skills and be able to work under pressure to short deadlines.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of automated analytical processes so that outputs of genomic analysis can be shared with other groups. To support the creation of these software processes the host-holder should be able to demonstrate the require skills to work in Python, R, and SQL and demonstrate a working knowledge of version control systems.
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 UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- To interact directly and expertly with the staff of the Bioinformatics Unit and with DAS staff and with HPS staff as necessary.
- Clinical and epidemiology colleagues, regional teams and data curation teams based in DAS
External
- Liaise with academic partners
- Members of Wellcome Sanger Institute
- Local HPT and outbreak response teams
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Higher degree (i.e. MSc or above) in Computer Science or related discipline
- Experience of bioinformatics and an understanding of Next Generation Sequencing analytical techniques and advancements of medical microbiology and genomics
- Extensive experience developing and implementing bioinformatics solutions for microbiology, with specific experience working on viral datasets
- Experience of managing / analysing large volumes of sequence data
- Ability to communicate complex and technical knowledge and ideas to non-specialist users
- Proven skills in sequence analysis and genomics
- Skilled in phylogenetics, sequence clustering and interpretation
- Knowledge of data integration methodologies and the ability to combine multiple information sources
- Proficiency with linux/unix operating systems
- Proven skills in programming languages eg Python, JAVA, C++
- Demonstrable skills in statistical and visualisation tools such as R
- Proven skills in developing and modifying code used for data analysis
- The ability to write code to a quality assured standard using; software tests, version control, documentation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to oversee a dynamic team delivering analytical reports to tight timelines
- Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner
- Able to analyse and evaluate scientific data based on evidence and to present the complex scientific interpretation in reports for a lay audience
- Knowledge of Public Health microbiology
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable Experience
- Excellent academic background in a relevant discipline preferred
- Experience of supervising the design, development and delivery of large and complex software solutions in multi-disciplinary teams
Benefits
- 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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed and sifted in line with the essential criteria.
This vacancy is using Civil Service Competencies, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Civil Service Competencies , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and technical skill.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than 750 words. We will be assessing behaviours at sift.
This should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Experience criteria or 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. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours / experience / ability through the Civil Service Competencies Framework. The interview will be held remotely via teams and you will be required to do a presentation
The competencies tested are:
|
Strategic cluster setting direction:
|
People cluster engaging people:
|
Performance cluster delivering results:
|
|
|
1. Collaborating and partnering
2. Building capability for all
|
|
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
DBS – People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. 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.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details Sophie.Rigney@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 : sophie rigney
- Email : sophie.rigney@reed.com
Recruitment team
- Email : hradmin@phe.gov.uk
