Senior Bioinformatician

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.

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

• 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.

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 relationships.

Desirable

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

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.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 7^th 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 12^th February 2024

Interviews: TBC