Bioinformatician (Information Analyst Specialist)
Job summary
PLEASE NOTE: There are two posts available, one permanent position and one 18 month only fixed term position to cover a secondment. At interview you will be asked which post you are interested in, or your order of preference if both.
PenGU Bioinformaticsis thesoftware development and analysis supportarm of theMicrobiologyDivision. Itsupports genomic diagnostics, bespoke software development, genomicsurveillance of communicable disease and infections in Wales,andprovides support forHealth Protection Teamsin outbreak investigation and control, provides health intelligence on communicable diseasemattersand carries out applied research.Bioinformatics activity covers5 subjectareas: 1.Antimicrobial resistance, 2.Viruses,sexualhealth, TBand Vaccinepreventable disease and respiratory infection3. Software development 4. Next Generation Sequencingand 5.Genomicepidemiology,researchand training. The post-holder will beassigned to one or moresubject groups,but will provide support to the others, asrequired.
Main duties of the job
The post-holderwill bea keymember ofscientific staff withintheBioinformatics teamwhichisbased within the Public Health WalesMicrobiologyDivision. Theywill work closely withseniorscientists,clinical scientists, bioinformaticiansand other team members,to develop newbioinformaticssystems,expand on existing onesand provide support during outbreak and major event situations. The post-holder will take a lead on discrete projectsandreportsandhelp ensure that analytical and reporting deadlines are met.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is 'Working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.
We are guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part time roles and job sharing.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
Thepost-holderwill:
- Workcloselywiththeseniorscientists, clinical scientists,andconsultantstoset upnewdiagnostic andsurveillancesoftwareand expandor developexistingdiagnostic andsurveillancesoftwareto reflect changes inservice delivery,data capturemethodsand priorities.
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Oversee production,assistin preparation and quality assurance of existinggenomics services.
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Provide,under supervision, responses to ad-hoc queries from other public organisations, the Welsh Government, thepressand members of the public, asrequired.Provide, under supervision, responses to urgent queries from within the Microbiology Divisionand Welsh Government.
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Prepare material for publication on the Public Health Wales website,assistin quality assurance of surveillance information presented on the website and investigate new ways of presenting data to various audiences.
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Provide support to the field investigation ofhospital andcommunity basedoutbreaks andcontribute to the work of the Public Health WalesMicrobiologyin relation tosurveillance capacityinrespondingto communicable disease and environmental public health emergencies.
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Contribute toBioinformaticsprogramme of applied research asrequired.
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Prepare,under supervision, articles for submission to scientific journals.
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Provide support and training to Public Health WalesMicrobiologydata analysts, asrequired, andassistin the production of training materials.
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Developsoftware andanalysis routinesand adviseon efficient analysis of large datasets, asrequired.
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Provide quality assurance for analyses carried out by, and reports prepared by, other team members.
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Provide support for otherduties asdeemedappropriatebythesenior scientists and consultant epidemiologists
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
- A first degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent experience
- Post graduate qualification in public health, epidemiology, bioinformatics statistics or related subject or equivalent experience
- Post graduate experience of scientific or information analysis work
- Experience of working with large or complex data sets
- Experience of project based working
- Experience of producing written reports for publication and working to deadlines
- Strong background in a biological science or health related field
- Experience of working in software development and of software versioning systems
- Experience of communicating information to scientific audiences, external partners and the public
- Experience of research and development
Skills and Knowledge
- Skilled in use of data analysis, coding and/or statistical software packages (e.g. Python, SQL, R)
- Excellent analytical and epidemiological skills, including statistical analysis and data interpretation
- Good all round IT skills, including using and interrogating databases
- Excellent written communication skills, including report writing and presentation of data in appropriate formats
- Ability to plan and organise a number of concurrent projects
- Ability to self-manage workload, work to agreed objectives, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Ability to contribute to and evaluate peer reviewed papers
- Knowledge of microbiological principles
- A broad basic knowledge of information governance, data security and privacy issues
- Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
- Skilled in mapping and data visualisation software
- Basic knowledge of public health
- Knowledge of health service organisation in Wales
Personal Attributes
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team, with high levels of motivation
- Able to engage with people at all levels
- Able to respond calmly to unpredictable work patterns and meet urgent deadlines
- Flexible, adaptable and innovative approach to work
- Conscientious and pays attention to detail
- Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality
Other
- Commitment to continuous personal development
- Prepared to travel
- Willing to work flexible hours if required to meet the needs of the service
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.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Public Health Wales
Address
Wales Genomic Health Centre
Cardiff Edge Business Park, Longwood Drive, Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 7YU
Employer's website
https://phw.nhs.wales/