Healthcare Scientist/Software Engineer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and key working relationshipsInternal

• Responsible to the Head of WGS Software Development
• Bioinformatics Unit, contribute to NGS activities ongoing within the unit as required
• Genomic Services and Development Unit, interactions with laboratory staff to liaise over NGS sequencing activity in general and robotics/LMS interoperability specifically
• Bioinformaticians embedded in other units, provide advice on best practice in software engineering
• Scientists engaged in development of NGS sequencing projects
• Bioinformaticians working in the Medical and Genomics Directorate and on the COVID-19 response

External

• Scientists at the Oxford Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, ongoing support and development of the TB whole genome sequencing pipeline
• Mycobacteriology Reference Laboratory- Birmingham, support for TB pipelines
• Collaborators on projects at other institutes and academic centres
• Scientist at CLIMB and the COG-UK consortium
• Academics and Bioinformaticians in the Devolved Administrations

Key Responsibilities

• To support the migration of current analytical pipelines processing NGS data to robust, scalable software architecture, meeting recognised acceptable software standards
• To write new programmatic algorithms for more efficient and novel ways of processing data and its interpretation.
• To contribute to the scoping of tools and methodologies for analysis of molecular data in conjunction with other metadata such as epidemiological and clinical information.
• To develop and distribute best practice software development and testing for bioinformatics activities across the organisation.
• To devise best practices and establish standards for analysis and dissemination of new technological developments that may have an impact on public health.
• To contribute to the development of the means to disseminate the results from bioinformatics analyses including web-based delivery
• To be involved with the scoping of bioinformatics tools and methodologies for analysis of molecular data in conjunction with other metadata such as epidemiological and clinical information
• Write and distribute regular project update reports and to provide training and deliver presentations as required.
• To take part in quality procedures and audits for accreditation

Health & Safety

• To comply with safety policies, ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to work in a safe manner.
• Work in a safe manner

Quality

• Ensure that the data within UKHSA databases meet the highest standards of quality to meet clinical and public health needs.
• Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes

Risk Management

• To assist line management in ensuring that appropriate risk management controls are implemented and maintained within area of responsibility, and that new risks are identified and raised as appropriate

Other

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Professional Development

You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements

Essential criteria:

You will be assessed on the below 10 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description

• Higher degree (i.e., MSc or above) in preferred in scientific fields like Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
• Experience of contributing to large and complex software solutions
• Experience of developing software for distributed computer resources
• Experience in industry or academia of delivering multi-disciplinary projects within deadlines
• Proficient in Python
• Proven ability to write software documentation
• Confident in a Linux environment
• Proficient in using git (including continuous integration)
• Experience in working with Postgres or other relational databases
• Experience with Python web frameworks like Django or Flask

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 14essential criteria and this will be in the form of a:

• application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

• 1500word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria

• Meets some essential criteria

• Meets no essential criteria

In order to be shortlisted you must meet all and some of the essential criteria listed above.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on

• Proficient in Python

Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Behaviours, technical and strengths will be tested at interview.

There will be a Technical Test

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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 be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London) Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

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 is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Person Specification

Application form and Statement of Suitability

Essential

• Application form and Statement of Suitability

Behaviours

Essential

• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

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

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London

10 South Colonnade

London

E14 5EA

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)