Job responsibilities
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
- Undergo a programme of on-going development and education to build on existing knowledge and develop skills to meet the behaviours and competencies required to undertake the role.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will require a high level of communication skills, disseminating complex technical information, and an ability to communicate complex programmatic and IT issues to non-specialist groups in layman terms.This will include;
Internal
- Substantial interactions with members of the mSCAPE bioinformatics team and other units within the TARZET division
- Regular interactions with Laboratory scientists, embedded bioinformaticians and epidemiologists, including during incident working.
- Substantial interactions within DAS and with central IT (ICT) colleagues, including during incident working.
External
- Interaction with external scientific computing experts to deliver appropriate technologies through external cloud-based resource and utilising UKHSA computing infrastructure.
- Interactions with collaborating centres, including research and academic institutes, to deliver software process for analysing WGS data.
Essential Criteria
- Degree in Bioinformatics or related life science.
- Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics, or equivalent.
- Familiar with Linux/Unix; proficient in the CLI.
- Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing technologies and associated bioinformatic analytical approaches.
- Experience applying diverse bioinformatics tools, preferably to the analysis of microbial DNA.
- Experience of developing, modifying, debugging code used for data analysis, preferably python
- Highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working.
- Interested in the advancements of medical microbiology and genomics.
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- Must be able to use initiative to identify and implement tested solutions with a view to process and service improvement.
- Must have the ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
- Ability to analyse complex facts and situations, develop a range of options and make recommendations.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of metagenomics.
- Experience of VCS systems (e.g. git) for software versioning and documentation.
- Knowledge of software containerization (e.g. Docker, Singularity).
- Knowledge of PostgreSQL or similar RDBMS
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 12 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 750 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement 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
If longlisting is used, the piles meets all and meets some essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will complete an initial sift on the lead criteria of:
- Degree in Bioinformatics or related life science.
- Postgraduate training in Bioinformatics, or equivalent.
- Experience applying diverse bioinformatics tools, preferably to the analysis of microbial DNA.
- Experience of developing, modifying, debugging code used for data analysis, preferably python
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessmentPlease do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profiles
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Behaviours, technical skills, experience and ability will be tested at interview.
There will be a Technical Test and a Presentation.
If invited to interview you will be asked to prepare a 10 minute presentation- details will be shared with those candidates invited to interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing and improving
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Selection Process
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Eligibility Criteria
External-Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in London (Canary Wharf). 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 our UKHSA Core HQ in London (Canary Wharf).
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.
Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
