Senior Bioinformatician
The closing date is 14 October 2025
Job summary
The Pathogen Diagnostic Assurance Group (PDAG) contributes to the UK's testing abilities to support the UK Government's ongoing response to COVID-19 and other pathogens. PDAG is responsible for assurance that assays being used in the UK can detect the variants of SARS CoV-2 and other pathogen variants in circulation. Currently the role focuses on molecular and antigen tests on the market but may extend to novel technologies in development. The role will support the Lead Bioinformatician and Head of PDAG in the development, implementation, and maintenance of bioinformatic processes.
This role can either be worked remotely, or hybrid at one of our Core HQs, see the Location detail below for further information.
Main duties of the job
- Analyse large WGS datasets to identify key mutations affecting antigen or molecular pathogen diagnostics
- Develop and implement computational models to predict the impact of pathogen mutations on the performance of antigen diagnostic tests as a result of protein-antibody binding efficiency, or on molecular diagnostic tests as a result of primer-template binding efficiency
- Support the identification and sharing of best bioinformatics practice
- Accept responsibility for refactoring existing WGS software components
- Develop tested, validated and versioned software components for WGS analyses, incorporate into and validate new WGS pipeline versions
- Analyse data from assigned projects and accept responsibility for generating reports within agreed timelines
- Lead preparation of reports, posters and publications arising from the data
- Represent UKHSA at internal, National and International meetings
- Provide reports through analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and for preparation of presentations and publications
- Lead in identifying, evaluating and adapting new technologies and scientific techniques where appropriate and ensure that the project operates to a high scientific standard
- Ensuring the project team undertakes work in accordance with applicable UKHSA Safety and Quality systems
- Maintaining health and safety competence
- Fulfilling and complying with the requirements of UKHSA Values, policies and procedures and the Civil Service Code
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.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Details
Date posted
30 September 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£41,983 to £52,113 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
6 months
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number
919-CG-308719-EXT
Job locations
Core HQ/Remote
Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)
E14 4PU
Employer details
Employer name
UK Health Security Agency
Address
Core HQ/Remote
Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)
E14 4PU
Employer's website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)