About the job

Job summary

UKHSA Culture Collections (https://www.culturecollections.org.uk) maintain and develop a range of resources supplying authenticated biological materials to scientists across the globe. These materials underpin numerous endeavours in academic, health, food and veterinary institutions. Adding further value to these collections through genomic sequencing and analysis is a major ongoing commitment, as evidenced by the development of world-leading datasets such as the NCTC3000 long-read bacterial genome assemblies (https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.000976). In order to make best use of these new datasets, a growing Culture Collections bioinformatics team is carrying out a wide range of activities spanning strain identification, data infrastructure development and scientific research projects.

This post holder will contribute across the broad scope of Culture Collections’ bioinformatics activities and gain the opportunity to work in an organisation with a fast-growing culture of data science. They will work alongside a dedicated group of bioinformaticians, including PhD students, with extensive internal and external networks of collaborators in academia, government and industry. 

Job description

UKHSA Culture Collections are world-leaders in providing authenticated biological materials to scientists across the globe. The biological samples held within the collection range from historic strains isolated over a century ago to materials being collected today. Making the best use and value of this extraordinary breadth includes developing next generation sequencing (NGS) datasets for the samples, analysing the datasets and enabling the results to be viewed and further analysed by customers of the collections.

The Culture Collections bioinformatics team was initiated in 2018, is led by Dr Jo Dicks, and is now well established in developing key insights from NGS datasets such as NCTC3000 ( https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.000976), in addition to current initiatives involving both Illumina and ONT datasets. This role offers the opportunity to take a senior position within this team. You will lead on the development of databases and software tools for the publication of genetic and genomic datasets, a key initiative in enhancing the value of the Culture Collections biological materials. You will work with bioinformatics colleagues to develop and apply protocols and pipelines for the verification of biological sample identity. You will also be encouraged to develop your own research project(s) based on the Culture Collections NGS datasets. Our ideal candidate is someone who is self-motivated and who can work and learn new skills independently, while also enjoying being part of a supportive and varied team of bioinformaticians and Culture Collections co-workers from lab-based scientists to marketing and logistics teams.

Main duties of the job:

• Be responsible for day-to-day running and maintenance of the software and computer systems, delivering Culture Collections Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) pipelines
• Support the identification and sharing of best bioinformatics practice
• Accepted 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
• Accept responsibility for developing tested, validated and versioned databases and software for the maintenance and web-based deployment of Culture Collections datasets
• 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 with Culture Collections quality management system, ISO, and other accreditation standards; participate in quality audits to support the unit's accredited service

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Degree in Bioinformatics or a related science
• Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with Linux/UNIX; proficiency on the command line interface
• 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
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking
• Interested in the advancements of microbiology and genomics
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Must be able to use initiative to identify and implement tested solutions with a view to process and service improvement
• Must have ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations, develop a range of options, make recommendations
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships 

Desirable criteria

• PhD in a relevant subject
• Knowledge of Applied Maths/Bionumerics
• Experience of Version Control systems (e.g. git) for software versioning and documentation
• Knowledge of software containerization (e.g. Docker, Singularity)
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL or similar RDBMS

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,716, UK Health Security Agency contributes £11,533 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 will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience and skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 
• 1000 word Statement of Suitability.  

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.  

The CV/Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: 

• Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with Linux/UNIX; proficiency on the CLI
• Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatic analytical approaches
• Experience of developing, modifying, debugging code used for data analysis, preferable Python
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL or similar RSBMS
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard working
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment  

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. 

Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview   

At the beginning of the interview you will be asked to give a 10 minute presentation on a bioinformatics project of your choice that you have carried out previously and you believe best illustrates your suitability for this role.

Interviews will be held week commencing 24/06/2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location information 

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 UKHSA Colindale.  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site.  

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).   

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.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.   

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.   

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.   

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 .

Starting salary

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  

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.