Job summary
We are seeking a highly skilled individual with expertise in Whole/Next Generation Sequencing, molecular biology, and the development of molecular diagnostic assays. The successful candidate will offer technical and scientific leadership, overseeing the local management, advancement, and execution of Pathogen Genomics services in line with the UKHSA Genomics Division's objectives. This role involves spearheading the introduction and adoption of innovative methods and technologies within the Pathogen Genomics unit at the UKHSA Bristol Laboratory.
Location
Based at Bristol Southmead Laboratory - due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to be based on-site on a full-time basis
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern - Full Time,
Main duties of the job
The Infection Sciences department at North Bristol NHS Trust is formed from a collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency and North Bristol NHS Trust (Severn Pathology). This is a busy and forward-looking laboratory that receives in excess of 1.3 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties located within Bristol and Bath hospital trusts, and beyond, which contribute to an interesting and varied workload. The laboratory is located within North Bristol NHS Trust and is a new, modern and fully automated laboratory incorporating state of the art equipment. It lies within easy reach of the city of Bath and surrounding villages. We have close links with our host Trusts as well as both Universities in Bristol and the proximity of the motorway network makes an ideal base for travel to London, the Midlands, Wales and the coastal resorts of the Southwest.
The UKHSA/NBT collaboration employs approximately 200 staff performing a range of diagnostic, public health and research activities, including high containment level work.
About us
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1200 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):
Essential
- Honours degree in relevant science e.g. Virology/Medical Microbiology & MSc in Virology or Microbiology
- Extensive postgraduate practical, technical, and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Good and demonstrable working knowledge and competency in Pathogen Genomics and Sequencing
- Demonstrable experience of project management skills and leading complex projects
- Experience of molecular microbiological techniques and their application including Genomics.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Desirable
- Higher Specialist certificate (IBMS)
- Health & Safety qualification, e.g., NEBOSH Certificate or Diploma IOSH
- Managerial qualification e.g., MBA Project Management qualification e.g., Prince 2
- Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties
- To represent the Genomics Division at the UKHSA Bristol laboratory in local and national expert committees.
- To apply and develop, in line with the local, regional, and national UKHSA Genomics strategy and financial framework, methods for the surveillance of the molecular epidemiology for infections of public health importance.
- To maintain and support the IT resources in Genomics at the UKHSA Bristol laboratory.
- In collaboration with the appropriate Leads, to ensure the Laboratory Information Management Systems are appropriately managed in support of the diagnostic, analytical, epidemiological, financial, and administrative needs of the service.
- To provide statistics of outputs and activity from Genomics to support local and national collation of data and to support the Genomics Division strategies.
- To assist in managing the maintenance and development of the Pathogen Genomics services within available resources and in line with the UKHSA Genomics Division strategy as agreed at Board level.
- To lead locally in Genomics equipment and kit evaluations, trials and research to lead to technical improvement and new Genomics methodology initiatives.
- To support development of local internal business cases for new services to support management and treatment of patients through financial and procedural considerations.
- To provide scientific advice and support in relation to development of internal quality controls and external quality assessment, proficiency testing and reference materials in collaboration with the UK National External Quality Assessment Service for Microbiology (NEQAS) and other organisations as appropriate for Pathogen Genomics.
- To take part in appropriate quality assurance schemes for Pathogen Genomics tests and participate in clinical and quality audit where appropriate.
If you are HCPC registered, you will have the option of voluntary transfer to Agenda for Change terms and conditions. If you are not HCPC registered, you will be employed on Civil Service terms and conditions. HCPC registration is not essential for this post.
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.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an in-person interview
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.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and improving
- Communicating and influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd April 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: 29th April 2024
Interviews: w/c 13th May 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties
- To represent the Genomics Division at the UKHSA Bristol laboratory in local and national expert committees.
- To apply and develop, in line with the local, regional, and national UKHSA Genomics strategy and financial framework, methods for the surveillance of the molecular epidemiology for infections of public health importance.
- To maintain and support the IT resources in Genomics at the UKHSA Bristol laboratory.
- In collaboration with the appropriate Leads, to ensure the Laboratory Information Management Systems are appropriately managed in support of the diagnostic, analytical, epidemiological, financial, and administrative needs of the service.
- To provide statistics of outputs and activity from Genomics to support local and national collation of data and to support the Genomics Division strategies.
- To assist in managing the maintenance and development of the Pathogen Genomics services within available resources and in line with the UKHSA Genomics Division strategy as agreed at Board level.
- To lead locally in Genomics equipment and kit evaluations, trials and research to lead to technical improvement and new Genomics methodology initiatives.
- To support development of local internal business cases for new services to support management and treatment of patients through financial and procedural considerations.
- To provide scientific advice and support in relation to development of internal quality controls and external quality assessment, proficiency testing and reference materials in collaboration with the UK National External Quality Assessment Service for Microbiology (NEQAS) and other organisations as appropriate for Pathogen Genomics.
- To take part in appropriate quality assurance schemes for Pathogen Genomics tests and participate in clinical and quality audit where appropriate.
If you are HCPC registered, you will have the option of voluntary transfer to Agenda for Change terms and conditions. If you are not HCPC registered, you will be employed on Civil Service terms and conditions. HCPC registration is not essential for this post.
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.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an in-person interview
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.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and improving
- Communicating and influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd April 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: 29th April 2024
Interviews: w/c 13th May 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Honours degree in relevant science e.g. Virology/Medical Microbiology & MSc in Virology or Microbiology
- Extensive postgraduate practical, technical, and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Good and demonstrable working knowledge and competency in Pathogen Genomics and Sequencing
- Demonstrable experience of project management skills and leading complex projects
- Experience of molecular microbiological techniques and their application including Genomics.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Desirable
- Higher Specialist certificate (IBMS)
- Health & Safety qualification, e.g., NEBOSH Certificate or Diploma IOSH
- Managerial qualification e.g., MBA Project Management qualification e.g., Prince 2
- Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Honours degree in relevant science e.g. Virology/Medical Microbiology & MSc in Virology or Microbiology
- Extensive postgraduate practical, technical, and theoretical experience in Medical Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Good and demonstrable working knowledge and competency in Pathogen Genomics and Sequencing
- Demonstrable experience of project management skills and leading complex projects
- Experience of molecular microbiological techniques and their application including Genomics.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Desirable
- Higher Specialist certificate (IBMS)
- Health & Safety qualification, e.g., NEBOSH Certificate or Diploma IOSH
- Managerial qualification e.g., MBA Project Management qualification e.g., Prince 2
- Proven record of research in relevant areas including significant/relevant publications
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).
