Bioinformatician

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Bioinformatician will play a key role within the Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory (STIRL), the national reference centre for bacterial STIs. The post holder will support surveillance, outbreak investigation, and research through the analysis, interpretation, and management of genomic data.

They will design, develop, and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for bacterial genome analysis, enabling detection and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance. The role involves close collaboration with scientific colleagues across UKHSA to deliver high-quality, reproducible outputs informing national surveillance programmes, including GRASP and MARS.

The Bioinformatician will also contribute to the development of analytical approaches, advise scientific staff, and support publications, technical reports, and presentations. Collaboration with the UKHSA Bioinformatics Unit, Reference Services, and Central Sequencing Unit is essential to ensure delivery aligns with national quality and accreditation standards.

Bioinformatics

• Conduct whole and partial genome analyses to investigate evolution, epidemiology, and antimicrobial resistance
• Evaluate and apply bioinformatics tools and methodologies to strengthen laboratory outputs and surveillance
• Provide specialist guidance on analytical approaches, visualisation, and bioinformatics practice to colleagues and collaborators
• Ensure secure handling, storage, and retrieval of genomic data in line with UKHSA governance
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot pipelines, workflows, and computational tools for operational and research needs
• Work with senior scientists, management, and quality teams to maintain data integrity and accuracy
• Support data quality audits and contribute to laboratory information system improvements
• Maintain awareness of relevant IT and informatics developments
• Assist with documentation and validation of software linked to UKAS accreditation

Professional Development

• Support genomic analysis pipelines for N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, and other bacterial STIs
• Generate analyses and reporting to support surveillance and outbreak response
• Contribute to reports, publications, and national surveillance outputs
• Work collaboratively with UKHSA units, NHS partners, and academic institutions to enhance surveillance and data interpretation
• Provide supervision, training, and mentoring for staff, students, and visitors where delegated
• Identify and pursue learning needs through appraisal and development review
• Maintain competencies and complete mandatory UKHSA training, including governance, safety, and compliance
• Represent the Unit at meetings, conferences, and seminars as required
• Undertake duties consistent with the nature and grade of the role as requested by senior management
• Promote and uphold UKHSA values including excellence, integrity, and inclusivity

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

• A higher degree (MSc or equivalent experience) in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related subject
• Experience in interpreting bacterial sequences, genotyping, and phylogenetic analysis
• Proven experience in analysing Illumina datasets and proficiency with standard bioinformatics and statistical tools for sequence assembly, alignment, and interpretation
• Demonstrated expertise in large-scale analyses of molecular sequence data and programming/scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or C
• Proven ability to analyse, summarise, and interpret complex epidemiological and genomic data
• Experience of coordinating projects in complex or multi-stakeholder scientific environments
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to produce scientific reports, correspondence, and presentations for diverse audiences

Desirable role criteria:

• Knowledge and experience of using high-performance computing (HPC) clusters and version control systems (e.g. Git)
• Experience of software containerization (e.g. singularity) and use of workflow managers (e.g. Nextflow) for pipeline development
• Understanding of database design, architecture, and implementation on a range of platforms
• Experience of authoring or contributing to peer-reviewed publications within the field of bacterial genomics or STIs

Selection Process Details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 7 Essential Criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 700 word supporting statement.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 700 word-count.This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

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.

The application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting

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

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

We will take piles "Meets all essential criteria" through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large amount of applications, we will sift on:

• Experience in interpreting bacterial sequences, genotyping, and phylogenetic analysis
• Proven experience in analysing Illumina datasets and proficiency with standard bioinformatics and statistical tools for sequence assembly, alignment, and interpretation
• Demonstrated expertise in large-scale analyses of molecular sequence data and programming/scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or C

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview stage (competency based):

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

This vacancy is being assessed using Competency framework. During the interview we will assess against the below:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation at the start of your interview.

Please prepare a ten-minute presentation describing a bioinformatics project you have been involved in. The presentation should include the biological question, your analytical approach, and some Python source code that you contributed to the project (at least one slide). We suggest you select a representative sample of code (e.g. a function, class, or module rather than a complete pipeline or analysis). The objective is for us to gain insights into your coding style and practices and to assess your ability to communicate.

After your presentation, we will ask questions about the information you have shared with us. The interview will then continue with questions covering the competencies specified in the advert. Finally, there will be time for you to ask us some questions about the role and organisation.

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

Additional Information

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. 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). If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert forfurther advice.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

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.

Person Specification

Essential criteria

• Application form and supporting statement

Essential criteria

• Question on knowledge, experience, skills and ability

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

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency