Job summary
Job title � Bioinformatician (TB Transition)
Profession-� Data Analytics
Directorate � Data Operations
Full Time equivalent - hours
No of Roles � 2
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 � SEO. Inner London ��42,716- �48,068 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, 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&C�s are found .
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 (SSB03) Bioinformatics Project Team, which is part of the (SSB00) Surveillance Systems & Bioinformatics Programme for 2022/ 23. The SSB00 programme is one of three change programmes� being undertaken by the UKHSA Data Operations directorate which collectively will transform data analytics at UKHSA.
UKHSA�s immediate and most important priority is to continue the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the longer term, UKHSA will build on the legacy of the COVID-19 response to ensure resilient and scalable infrastructure to secure the UK in the strongest position to protect the public from future threats to health.
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.
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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
The Bioinformatics and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Software Development unit is part of Data Analytical Sciences within UKHSA�s National Infection Service Division. The unit is globally pre-eminent in the design, construction, validation, and deployment of bioinformatics pipelines for the automated analysis of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) whole Genome Sequence (WGS) data for human bacterial and viral pathogens. Our High-Performance Compute (HPC) cluster runs more than 20 fully reproducible in-house pipelines including SARSCOV2. We also provide support to The National TB unit and the 7 TB control boards by running a TB pipeline in collaboration with Oxford University. Administrationally, the Unit consists of 3 groups, respectively headed by Leads for In-House pipelines, for pipeline development, and for TB sequence service delivery. Contributions from members of each group are not constrained by group membership and are encouraged to be intra-group.
The postholder will contribute across the broad scope of the unit�s NGS Service activities, from maintenance and support of existing pipelines to extension of their deployment to further computational architectures (distributed, cloud, local, remote, external).
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Main Duties of the Job
The postholder will contribute across the broad scope of the unit�s NGS Service activities, from maintenance and support of existing pipelines to extension of their deployment to further computational architectures (distributed, cloud, local, remote, external).
1. Be responsible for day-to-day running and maintenance of the software and computer systems delivering existing UKHSA Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) pipelines.
2. Contribute to expanding deployment of existing WGS pipelines to additional computational platforms (internal OpenStack, external cloud)
3. Support the identification and sharing of best bioinformatics practice.
4. Accept responsibility for refactoring existing WGS software components
5. Develop tested, validated, and versioned software components for WGS analyses, incorporate into and validate new WGS pipeline versions
6. Satisfy support requests logged through helpdesk
7. Analyse data from projects to which you are assigned, accepting responsibility for generating reports within agreed timelines.
8. Lead preparation of reports, posters and publications arising from the data
9. Represent UKHSA at internal, National, and international meetings.
10. Work consistent with the Bioinformatics Unit quality management system, ISO and other accreditation standards; participate in quality audits to support the unit�s accredited service.
11. Comply with safety and quality protocols and procedures at all times
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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. This will require a high level of communication skills, disseminating complex technical information, and an ability to communicate complex programmatic and IT issues to non-specialist groups in �layman� terms. This will include.
Internal
12. Substantial interactions with members of the Bioinformatics Team and the Central Sequencing Lab (CSL)
13. Regular interactions with Laboratory scientists, embedded bioinformaticians and epidemiologists.
14. Substantial interactions within DAS and with central IT (ICT) colleagues.
External
15. Interaction with external scientific computing experts to deliver appropriate technologies through external cloud-based resource and utilising UKHSA computing infrastructure.
16. Interactions with collaborating centres (Oxford University, EBI) to deliver software process for analysing WGS data.
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Person specification
Essential Criteria
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17. Degree in Bioinformatics or a related life science.
18. Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics
19. Familiar with Linux/unix; proficient on the CLI
20. Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatic analytical approaches.
21. Experience of applying diverse bioinformatics tools, preferably to the analysis of microbial DNA
22. Experience of developing, modifying, debugging code used for data analysis, preferably python
23. Highly motivated, enthusiastic, and hard working
24. Interested in the advancements of medical microbiology and genomics
25. Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
26. Must be able to use initiative to identify and implement tested solutions with a view to process and service improvement
27. Must have ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
28. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations, develop a range of options, make recommendations
29. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
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Desirable Criteria:
30. PhD in a relevant subject
31. Experience of VCS systems ( git) for software versioning and documentation
32. Knowledge of software containerization ( Docker, Singularity)
33. Knowledge of PostgreSQL or similar RDBMS
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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.
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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.
34. Learning and development tailored to your role
35. An environment with flexible working options
36. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
37. A with an average employer contribution of 27%