Bioinformatician (New Pipelines)
UK Health Security Agency
About the job
Job summary
Job title – Bioinformatician (New Pipelines)
Profession- Data Analytics
Directorate – Data Operations
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles – 1
Contract Type – Fixed Term Contract or Loan Until 31/03/2026
Location – Colindale, London, NW9 5EQ
UKHSA operates 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) working at Colindale. Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
Working Pattern – Full Time / Flexible Working / Hybrid Working
Grade & Salary – Grade 7. Inner London - £55,799- £65,089 per annum.
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.
Closing Date – 14/07/2024. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Interview Date – TBC
Job description
We are looking for a Bioinformatician to work within the Bioinformatics Unit, which is part of the Surveillance Systems & Bioinformatics Division within UKHSA. We are recruiting a number of positions that have been funded to stabilise and develop the bioinformatics components of the pathogen genomics programme within UKHSA. .
UKHSA currently performs genomic sequencing of around 20 human pathogens, this data is used to inform clinical and public health pathways for managing the spread of human pathogens within the UK. This role within the Bioinformatics Unit will lead a small team of bioinformaticians supporting the development of new pathogen pipelines and new analysis components which will be integrated into the overarching bioinformatics processes for delivering a genomics service within UKHSA.
UKHSA mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. To achieve our objectives effectively and fairly, we commit to representing modern Britain and all its diversity. UKHSA recognises that diversity of background and life experience brings different insights, creates challenge and encourages change and innovation. This in turn produces more accountable and trusted public services and better decisions; better because they are more attuned to the needs and interests of all our communities. Differences of thought and outlook are not only respected but expected. We want all our employees to feel that they can be themselves at work and that they are valued.
Data Operations
The UKHSA Data Operations Directorate provides strategic leadership and oversight for developing and managing a common and bespoke suite of performant, modern, secure, data and analytical tools, services, platforms and applications, ensuring access to high quality data and analytics services, internally and externally.
Surveillance Systems and Bioinformatics
Based within the Data Operations Directorate, the Surveillance Systems and Bioinformatics Division works across the organisation and with external partners to lead the design, development, maintenance and delivery of surveillance systems, with a focus on accessibility, interoperability and improving health security outcomes. The Division is also responsible for the provision of an informatics capability to support laboratory services and has oversight of the UKHSA bioinformatics function to support whole genome sequencing.
Job Overview
To take a lead role in developing and implementing the bioinformatics and public health informatics strategy for NIS Core Bioinformatics and:
- To lead, develop and support strategies for bioinformatics and informatics approaches, following guidance from senior management, to provide programmatic bioinformatics expertise, to improve capability, to improve information dissemination to internal and external stakeholders. To have the ability to translate strategic and operational vision into reality through providing technical solutions and to manage junior bioinformatics staff.
- To be responsible for the planning and organisation of scientific computer systems through requirements analysis, functional specification, implementation, deployment and testing. This is achieved through interaction with the appropriate UKHSA and external staff.
- To provide technical expertise and expert advice and guidance, in bioinformatics and Information systems/services related to the requirements for specific Departments
- To provide expert and specialist advice to UKHSA and external staff on scientific and technical solutions for bioinformatics related to projects.
- To coordinate support activities across the bioinformatics services including the online helpdesk, training and the NGS Service.
- To be responsible for the development and maintenance of the WGS Service analysis pipelines. To develop a strategy for updating methods of pipeline delivery, with reference to ensuring business continuity.
- To be responsible for the development, implementation, and management of analytical tools for the Department. Tasks will include the development of database and related tools for data retrieval, manipulation, analysis and visualisation.
- To contribute to the long-term strategic planning of the above functions, in line with the strategic direction, working practices and policies of the NIS Core Bioinformatics Unit.
- To provide line management for a team of bioinformaticians.
Main Duties of the Job
- To be responsible for the bioinformatics components of the WGS Service. Tasks in this area include the development and maintenance of the analysis pipelines, and their supporting infrastructure, ensuring the timely delivery service outputs to customers and troubleshooting issues that disrupt business continuity.
- To be responsible for the co-ordination, development and support of specific analysis tools and systems, and to be responsible for the planning and organisation of other online resources and computer systems, as appropriate, through requirements analysis, functional specification, implementation, deployment, and testing. This is achieved through interaction with the appropriate UKHSA and external staff.
- To ensure that high quality and responsive support activities are provided by the bioinformatics team. This will include the preparations of regular KPI reports and other materials necessary to evidence the standard of support services.
- To be responsible for the project management of a portfolio of projects and to maintain technical documentation. To be responsible for the secure storage, password management and retrieval of sensitive data related to these projects (in line with the policies of the Core Bioinformatics Unit, ICT and the UKHSA).
- To support and progress UKAS accreditation by working with the Quality Team to ensure that appropriate quality standards are met, and where necessary defined, and that documentation and processes are effectively followed by all relevant staff.
- Writing and distributing regular project update reports and to provide training and deliver presentations as required.
- To take part in UKHSA bioinformatics training and support programmes.
- To liaise with scientific and IT staff of external organisations involved in molecular surveillance of pathogens.
- Any other duties within the framework of the job grade.
OTHER
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
- It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.
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 UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- To interact directly and expertly with the staff of the Bioinformatics Unit and with NIS staff and with HPS staff as necessary.
- Interactions with the Central Sequencing Unit and service customers will be particularly important.
- Liaison with PHE ICT and local Information Systems Committees and Working Groups will also be necessary.
External
- External bodies including NHS staff and other national and international users, commercial companies, and professional groups, as required.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria:
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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.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £55,799, UK Health Security Agency contributes £15,065 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Strengths
Stage 1: Application & Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1000 words. 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 and desirable 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.
Note: both your Statement of Suitability and Employment History sections will be scored with equal weight in the sifting process. You must complete both to progress. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
If you are successful in the sift, you will be invited to interview where you will be asked a mixture of questions based on your experience, the behaviours listed in the advert and some strength-based questions.
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on [behaviours / experience / strengths / technical / ability through Success Profiles. The interviews will be conducted remotely over Microsoft Teams
When assessing strengths, we want to find out whether you and the job role are a good fit. We will look at what you enjoy doing and what you do well and often. By ensuring that the role is the right fit for you, you are more likely to enjoy it and perform well.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Developing Self and Others
You may be asked to prepare a presentation for this interview
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £51,824, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,992 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.- https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/joining-the-pension-scheme/benefits-of-the-pension-scheme/
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- 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.
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
It’s 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
Complaint process:
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.
Contact Details – Sophie.Rigney@reed.com
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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). 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.