Job summary
Significant developments made during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, led to the establishment of strong foundations for the improved use of pathogen genomics to protect public health. Recognising this, this new post will provide specialist expertise to drive forwards the bioinformatics component of UKHSA's work, as well as relevant elements of the pathogen genomics programme. The postholder will also work with external specialists and other clinical partners.
This post will be responsible for providing strategic leadership for the bioinformatics function of the UKHSA, as well as operational leadership of the core bioinformatics team within the Data Operations Directorate. The postholder will be responsible for identifying emerging trends, technologies, and tools in microbial genomics and bioinformatics so that the UKHSA stay at the forefront of the field, communicating complex technical concepts, contributing to grant applications, and contributing high-level input to data analysis pipelines and interpretation.
The post holder will also undertake the important role of UKHSA Head of Profession for Bioinformatics, working to champion and establish comprehensive communities of practice within UKHSA and across wider professions networks. There is also significant potential for collaboration with academic partners.
Main duties of the job
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events and ensuring pursuit of programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements
2. To participate in all mandatory training as required,, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Deputy Director oversees a broad programme of work including:
3. Developing and implementing the strategic vision for bioinformatics in alignment with UKHSAs wider goals and in particular its Pathogen Genomics Strategy
4. Line management responsibility for the core bioinformatics team
5. Delivery of complex projects that require cross Agency engagement and multi-disciplinary working
6. Providing a focal point for bioinformatics within the Agency including undertaking the role of Head of Profession for bioinformatics. This will include promoting training, bringing teams together, ensuring that Bioinformaticians across the Agency are aligned to strategic priorities, are following guidelines, and working within defined remit
7. Identifying emerging trends, technologies, and tools in microbial genomics and bioinformatics to stay at the forefront of the field
8. Communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders across all organisation-levels
9. Contributing to external presentations and grant applications, and engaging in academic collaborations relevant to genomics and bioinformatics
10. Working with external partners to ensure best practice is shared and collaboration are in place to continuously improve the service
11. Provide strategic and operational leadership across groups and oversee work of Programme lead to ensure all core bioinformatics projects, including managing timelines, budgets, and resources, while maintaining a high quality of work and analysis
12. Contributing high-level input to data analysis pipelines and interpretation
13. Collaborating with other teams and wet lab scientists to provide bioinformatics support
14. Ensuring that the service provides expert advice for wider public health delivery to internal and external customers.
15. Having strategic and operational oversight of the development and maintenance of bioinformatics pipelines and keeping them efficient, accurate, and up to date, while ensuring that best practices are upheld
16. Working closely with Data, Analytics and Surveillance colleagues, ensure strategic alignment with the UKHSA Technology Strategy, in the context of data storage, archiving etc and that technology requirements are fit for purpose to support the ongoing Bioinformatics pipelines and requirements
17. Ensuring strategic engagement with all parts of the UKHSA that contribute to pathogen genomic surveillance, supporting a one system approach, including ensuring sequencing data are available as required
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 UKHSA. This will include.
Internal
18. Directors and Deputy Directors across Science Clinical and Public Health Technology Health Protection Operations Data, Analytics and Surveillance
19. Science Data and Performance Lead
20. Relevant colleagues across wider UKHSA
External
21. Key academic partners
22. Relevant stakeholders within Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, other government departments, non-departmental bodies, and potential funding organisations
23. Professional leads across HMG
24. Relevant stakeholders within identified external data providers and users (public and private sector)
25. Devolved Administrations, departments, and organisations
26. Private sector leaders
Application stage
Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
At sift stage you will be assessed on the essential criteria listed in the job advert, you will receive a separate score for both your CV (the information entered into your application) and statement of suitability.
Your statement of suitability must be no more than 1500.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Interview stage
This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Behaviours to be assessed:
27. Leadership
28. Seeing the Big Picture
29. Working together
30. Communicating and influencing
31. Managing a quality service
You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.
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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at UKHSAs locations (London incl Colindale, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham). That is approximately 3 days a week in the office (pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home. Majority of the team is Colindale based and therefore there is an expectation to travel on regular basis. 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.
Option 1 - External
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: Developed Vetting.
Working for the Civil Service
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.
TheCivil Service Codesets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission'srecruitment principles.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
32. life sentences
33. arson
34. sexual offences
35. hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business,, a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
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:
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.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: C.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
36. A PhD in bioinformatics or microbiology with a heavy bioinformatics component OR MSc / PhD (or equivalent experience) within a life sciences subject such as bioinformatics, biology, medicine, statistics, etc with significant hands-on experience in Computational Biology gained within a relevant setting
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
37. 5+ years relevant experience
38. Proven leadership and line management skills, demonstrating your ability to guide a team effectively
39. A track record of leading the development and implementation of bioinformatics software
40. Hands-on experience with genomic sequencing and troubleshooting of bioinformatic pipelines
41. Knowledge of microbial whole genome sequencing techniques and tools, including short and long read sequencing
42. Familiarity with Illumina sequencing platforms, such as MiSeq and NextSeq, along with expertise in Sanger sequencing
Desirable
43. Proven expertise in transcriptomics, particularly RNA-seq data analysis
44. Experience in predicting biosynthetic gene clusters from genomic data
45. Prior experience with network analysis and machine learning to analyse large datasets
46. Prior experience of working with relational databases, with a focus on MySQL
47. Experience with cloud computing, especially Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)
Skills / Capabilities / Behaviours
Essential
48. Proficiency in Python, Snakemake, and R, showcasing your programming expertise
Desirable
49. Proficiency in containerization, specifically Docker, to streamline data analysis workflows
50. Familiarity in translating research bioinformatic techniques into practice (, through UKAS accreditation)
51. Familiarity with DevOps / Sysadmin
Equality and Diversity
Essential
52. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.