Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Bioinformatician (Respiratory Metagenomics)

The closing date is 23 July 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a post-doctoral Bioinformatician to support theMetagenomics Services for diagnosis of infection at GOSH, including the UKAS accredited Sterile Site Metagenomics Service and recentlyimplemented Respiratory Metagenomics Service.

You will support the Respiratory Metagenomics Clinical Service Development Programme in collaboration with Guys and St Thomas' Hospital (GSTT) andlocal pathogen molecular epidemiology using whole genome sequences (WGS) to investigate pathogen cross-transmission.

You must have experience working with clinical metagenomics datato diagnose infection in a clinical setting.

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with the Principal Clinical Scientist,Clinical Scientists, Associate Practitioners and Senior Bioinformatician atGOSH, as well as collaborating Bioinformaticians at GSTT and UCL.

This is a vibrant, progressive, well equipped, and ISO15189 accreditedlaboratory. The department provides an extensive range of investigations to support the specialist patient population of this tertiary referral paediatric hospital.

This is an excellent opportunity to work as part of a very experienced and dedicated team to gain extra skills and knowledge of Paediatric Microbiology.

This is a fixed term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of extension dependant on external funding.

About us

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Inclusive per annum pro rota

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

271-CCS-7203207

Job locations

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

Combined Values

Essential

  • Combined Values

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential

  • PhD in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology
  • 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Bioinformatics, Computing microbiology or a relevant biological subject

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Up to date knowledge of next generation sequencing techniques and platforms
  • Experience analysing and interpreting NGS data in a clinical context
  • Experience of the use and evaluation of open-source software
  • Experience of the use and evaluation of commercial software
  • Experience of pipeline version control (e.g. Github or Gitlab)
  • Experience of pipeline management tools (e.g. NextFlow and Docker)
  • Experience of the application and interpretation of metagenomics data for the diagnosis of infection
  • Knowledge of Clinical Microbiology and Virology
  • Experience of participation in research and development projects
  • Experience in preparation of manuscripts for publication of research results

Desirable

  • Experience of running and maintaining high performance Linux machines
  • Knowledge of utilising GPU-based software tools for interpreting biological data
  • Experience of participation in clinical or laboratory audit, reviewing and writing SOP's
  • Experience of providing training to other members of staff
  • Knowledge of the working of NHS trust Pathology laboratories
Person Specification

Combined Values

Essential

  • Combined Values

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential

  • PhD in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology
  • 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Bioinformatics, Computing microbiology or a relevant biological subject

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Up to date knowledge of next generation sequencing techniques and platforms
  • Experience analysing and interpreting NGS data in a clinical context
  • Experience of the use and evaluation of open-source software
  • Experience of the use and evaluation of commercial software
  • Experience of pipeline version control (e.g. Github or Gitlab)
  • Experience of pipeline management tools (e.g. NextFlow and Docker)
  • Experience of the application and interpretation of metagenomics data for the diagnosis of infection
  • Knowledge of Clinical Microbiology and Virology
  • Experience of participation in research and development projects
  • Experience in preparation of manuscripts for publication of research results

Desirable

  • Experience of running and maintaining high performance Linux machines
  • Knowledge of utilising GPU-based software tools for interpreting biological data
  • Experience of participation in clinical or laboratory audit, reviewing and writing SOP's
  • Experience of providing training to other members of staff
  • Knowledge of the working of NHS trust Pathology laboratories

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Employer's website

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Employer's website

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Scientist

Dr Julianne Brown

julianne.brown@gosh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£46,419 to £55,046 a year Inclusive per annum pro rota

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

271-CCS-7203207

Job locations

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Supporting documents

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