About the job

Job summary

This post is within the Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI), Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Antimicrobial Utilisation (AMU) & Sepsis Division (Clinical & Public Health group) of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.

This role works closely with National Reference Laboratories for investigation of antibiotic resistance in, and characterization of, healthcare associated bacterial pathogens. We seek to define outbreaks and identify transmission pathways. We use established and developmental phenotypic and genotypic methods to type isolates, to identify markers of virulence, fitness and epidemicity, and to determine their susceptibility to relevant antibiotics.

The appointee will be required to develop bioinformatics and public health informatics for the Division:

• Provide informatic and bioinformatic support and undertake analyses on data arising from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for reference service delivery, outbreak investigations, and for research projects, and to be responsible for timely data mining and generation of meaningful reports to customers
• Support, monitor and quality ensure the WGS bioinformatics analysis from sample receipt to report
• Develop / assemble, validate and implement bioinformatics and AI tools and pipelines suitable for analysis and comparison of the genome sequences generated
• Liaise and advise national, regional and international epidemiology colleagues on the interpretation of phylogenetic analysis in e.g. outbreak investigations
• Lead preparation of reports, posters and publications arising from the data
• Present findings at internal, national and international meetings
• Compile, manage and curate appropriate databases for AMR determinants and the complex data arising from whole-genome sequencing of a range of healthcare associated and antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogens

Location

This role is based in the UKHSA Colindale office, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5EQ

The UK Health Security Agency (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) at your contracted location of work which will be Colindale, London. 

*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.

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As a Senior Bioinformatician your main responsibilities will include:

• Be responsible for day-to-day running and maintenance of the software and computer systems delivering existing UKHSA Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) pipelines.
• To work with Lab Informatics Management (LIMs) informaticians and other bioinformaticians in our laboratory and more widely in UKHSA on data handling and analysis pipelines for laboratory data including bioinformatic and comparative genomic analysis of bacterial genome and plasmid sequences, focusing particularly on bacteria within our HCAI and AMR remit.
• To support bioinformatic detection of AMR in relevant organisms, outbreak detection and investigation of HCAI and AMR disease using WGS
• Contribute to expanding deployment of existing WGS pipelines to additional computational platforms
• 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
• 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 to quality management system, ISO and other accreditation standards; participate in quality audits to support the unit’s accredited service.
• Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the GDPR, the Data Protection Act in collaboration with the designated Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security Information Officer

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 review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 500 words (max 750 words) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):

Essential

• 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
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Must have ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relati

 Desirable

• Experience of VCS systems (e.g. git) for software versioning and documentation
• Database curation, update and management

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

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This post 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.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5/10-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 7th February 2024 – 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: w/c 12th February 2024

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.