Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Scientist at the West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory. This post, funded by a recent project grant award, will support our diagnostic team in developing and delivering new prenatal genetic testing methods. Testing includes exome / genome sequencing, and also non-invasive methods using cell-free DNA. The post holder will be responsible for day-to-day management of the project including laboratory work, method validation, data analysis, paper writing.
This position will sit within our Research and Development Team and success of this project will require significant collaboration with technical, clinical and bioinformatic staff within the laboratory and nationally.
The West Midland Regional Genetics Laboratory (WMRGL) is the designated Genomics Laboratory Hub (GLH) for the Central and South (C+S) GLH which covers the West Midlands, Oxford & Wessex geography. The post is based at Birmingham Women's Hospital in Edgbaston.
Genomics is at the heart of the future NHS; the GLHs are an integral part of the National Genomic Medicine Service providing state of the art, high quality genomic analysis to patients with rare disease and cancer. The WMRGL laboratory delivers prenatal genomic testing for the C+S geography, and specialist national testing including non-invasive prenatal testing and diagnosis (NIPT and NIPD) and prenatal exome sequencing. Our workforce is fundamental to the successful delivery of this ambitious and high-profile service. We are committed to training and developing our staff at all levels; with active programmes supporting Continuing Professional Development.
Interview date - W/C 11th March 2024.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with laboratory-based experience in genomic technologies. Applicants should ideally have a relevant PhD, although this is not essential. Experience of cell-free DNA analysis, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics and data analysis, research publication, diagnostics would be beneficial but is not required.
The successful candidate will be a team player that can also operate independently and is capable of working under pressure to tight deadlines. Appointment will be dependent on qualifications and experience.
About us
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world-class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world-leading neo-natal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family-centred care.
Birmingham Children's Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas.
Birmingham Women's Hospital is one of two dedicated women's hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.
Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) Mental Health Services are a unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. Alongside partners FTB offers care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people aged 0-25 years old.
Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.
When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).
Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.
When completing your application, please ensure you have evidenced how you meet the job description and person specification to include transferable experience, qualifications, skills along with professional registration details (if applicable).
Occasionally we receive a large number of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Science degree (first or second class with Honours or higher degree
- Participation in departmental seminars/journal clubs
- Active participation in CPD
Desirable
- Completed Training for Trainers
- Relevant PhD or state registered Clinical Scientist
- Relevant PhD or state registered Clinical Scientist
Knowledge & Nature of Experience
Essential
- Post-doctoral experience in a research setting or post registration experience in clinical diagnostic genetics laboratory
Desirable
- Involvement in administering research projects
- Involvement in the development of new technologies
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Excellent technical and analytical skills
Professional / Managerial / Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent IT skills including design of spread sheets, report writing, power point and databases
Desirable
- Experience of writing successful grant applications
Personal skills / Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Ability to communicate highly complex information in both verbal and written formats
Desirable
- Developed interpersonal skills to enable adequate communication with a wide range of clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
Knowledge & Nature of Experience
Essential
- Detailed knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of laboratory genetics/molecular biology
- Sound knowledge of quality issues
- Competence in applying Health, Safety & Risk knowledge based on legislation in a laboratory setting
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Desirable
- Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports requiring clinical knowledge and clinical interpretation of results
Professional / Managerial / Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction but also able to work within a team
Desirable
- Experience of ethical application process
- Evidence of ability to supervise and manage a service, or small group of services.
Personal Skills / Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to gather and assimilate information i.e. literature searches, use of internet and relevant clinical databases.
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
Other Requirements
Essential
- Occasional late cover, bank holiday and Saturday working
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Science degree (first or second class with Honours or higher degree
- Participation in departmental seminars/journal clubs
- Active participation in CPD
Desirable
- Completed Training for Trainers
- Relevant PhD or state registered Clinical Scientist
- Relevant PhD or state registered Clinical Scientist
Knowledge & Nature of Experience
Essential
- Post-doctoral experience in a research setting or post registration experience in clinical diagnostic genetics laboratory
Desirable
- Involvement in administering research projects
- Involvement in the development of new technologies
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Excellent technical and analytical skills
Professional / Managerial / Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent IT skills including design of spread sheets, report writing, power point and databases
Desirable
- Experience of writing successful grant applications
Personal skills / Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Ability to communicate highly complex information in both verbal and written formats
Desirable
- Developed interpersonal skills to enable adequate communication with a wide range of clinical and non-clinical colleagues.
Knowledge & Nature of Experience
Essential
- Detailed knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of laboratory genetics/molecular biology
- Sound knowledge of quality issues
- Competence in applying Health, Safety & Risk knowledge based on legislation in a laboratory setting
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Desirable
- Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports requiring clinical knowledge and clinical interpretation of results
Professional / Managerial / Specialist Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction but also able to work within a team
Desirable
- Experience of ethical application process
- Evidence of ability to supervise and manage a service, or small group of services.
Personal Skills / Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to gather and assimilate information i.e. literature searches, use of internet and relevant clinical databases.
- Ability to work under pressure
Desirable
Other Requirements
Essential
- Occasional late cover, bank holiday and Saturday working
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.
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.
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
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Birmingham Research Park
97 Vincent Drive
Birmingham
B15 2SQ
Employer's website
https://bwc.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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