Job summary
THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 3 YEARS DUE TO THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.
The work of the Pathogen Genomics Unit is world-class and offers a varied, challenging and rewarding work environment. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of Public Health Microbiology in Wales and internationally. The Bioinformatics team in the Pathogen Genomics Unit (PenGU) is the software development and analysis support arm of the Public Health Genomics Programme. This team supports genomic diagnostics, bespoke software development, genomic surveillance of communicable disease and infections in Wales, and Health Protection Teams in outbreak investigation and control.
This role is a three-year fixed-term Bioinformatician post. The primary focus of the role will be a Wellcome Trust funded project, which aims to create a set of open-access resources, including service-level software, documentation and training, that laboratories can use to set up high-quality, ISO-accredited pathogen genomics services.
In addition, the role will involve the delivery, maintenance and improvement of existing UKAS (ISO) accredited pathogen genomic services within PenGU and the development of new services as required.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be responsible for providing day-to-day running, monitoring, support, and maintenance of bioinformatics processes for all activities relevant to the pathogen genomics services run within the Unit. They will develop advanced, bespoke bioinformatics analysis software and pipelines, and supporting documentation and training resources, all meeting the high standards of quality required for healthcare service delivery. They will work with the management team in the roll-out of new bioinformatic methods into service. Their work will contribute towards understanding infection processes and improving surveillance, leading towards reduction in the burden of disease globally.
Job responsibilities
The postholder will be required to:
1. Work collaboratively both within PHW and with external collaborators to develop new bioinformatics software, quality and training related resources, under the direction of the Senior Bioinformaticians and Head of Unit.
2. Undertake specialist testing and evaluation requiring a high level of professional expertise e.g. validation and assessment of bioinformatic tools, pipelines, and resources applicable to aid in the interpretation of results.
3. Carry out, interpret, and report on advanced bioinformatics procedures and investigations, providing timely and accurate responses to clinical queries related to the ongoing delivery of pathogen genomics services within PenGU.
4. Supervise day-to-day activities of junior bioinformatics team members and provide support and guidance for their professional development.
5. Collaborate with the Unit Head and Senior Bioinformaticians to maintain high standards of quality, both within PenGU Bioinformatics and as part of the funded project, in compliance with external accredited regulatory bodies.
6. Maintain high professional standards by continual professional development and keeping up to date with advances in pathogen genomics and NGS technology.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
1. Honours degree in Medical Microbiology or Molecular Biology or equivalent experience.
2. Post graduate qualification (e.g. MSc) in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
3. Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of bioinformatics methods to analyse genomics data.
4. Demonstrable understanding of theoretical knowledge underpinning conventional DNA sequencing and genomics analysis approaches.
5. Excellent understanding of microbiology of disease and disease processes, including molecular microbiology, molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis.
6. Understands and can apply the principles of good laboratory and clinical practice, and quality assurance.
Desirable
1. Evidence of continuing professional development evidenced by Professional Portfolio developed within an appraisal framework.
2. Comprehensive knowledge of PC, server, storage & networking hardware, ethernet TCP/IP networking and Active Directory.
3. Thorough understanding of how pathogen genomics and microbiological principles can be applied within healthcare and public health surveillance settings.
Experience
Essential
1. Current evidence-based practical experience in software/pipeline development to analyse DNA sequence data using at least one of C/C++, Python or Java.
2. Evidence of project-based research work, analysing large and complex datasets (including high-throughput sequencing data) where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.
3. Demonstrable experience of participating in and co-ordinating successful, collaborative, team projects in complex and challenging environments.
4. Application of bioinformatics tools to analyse genomics data using the UNIX command line.
5. Experience of using systems for versioning software (ideally git).
Desirable
1. Experience of implementing and querying SQL and NoSQL databases.
2. Experience working in a professional software development environment including procedures such as software versioning, generation of documentation and commenting of code.
3. Experience of developing pipelines using workflow manager languages, e.g. Nextflow.
4. Experience developing software within containers or virtual machines and configuration and software maintenance of UNIX servers.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
1. Ability to supervise junior colleagues and provide technical instructions and training on relevant aspects of bioinformatics.
2. Ability to work reliably, effectively and efficiently, using own initiative to recognize problems and generate potential solutions, and making informed decisions in the absence of required information.
3. Ability to work calmly under pressure and to tight deadlines, correctly prioritising tasks and providing timely responses to urgent matters.
4. High level of literacy, numeracy, and attention to detail, particularly to communicate scientific/ clinical information to inform work colleagues or external contacts.
5. Ability to demonstrate understanding and application of our workplace values, together with the underpinning behaviours identified for success in this role.
Desirable
1. Welsh Language Skills are desirable at level 1 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh.
Other
Essential
1. Prepared to work flexibly throughout the laboratory to meet the needs of the service.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. #J-18808-Ljbffr