Bioinformatician

The appointee will be responsible for supporting scientists throughout the Virus Reference Department (VRD) in the application of bioinformatics and genomics. Maintenance and development of molecular sequence databases and web interfaces for storage and analysis of viral sequence data will be a key activity, including in support of the World Health Organizations Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. The appointee will be expected to develop and maintain these web resources and work closely with colleagues within VRD and across the WHO laboratory network. The increasing use of Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technologies within VRD also requires the initiation of both database and analysis platforms for a wide range of viral pathogens, including Influenza Virus, HIV, Hepatitis A-E Viruses, Polio Virus and others. The appointee will also be required to develop analytical processes that inform clinical activities such as viral drug resistance determination and public health activities such as inferring virus transmission networks. Communication and key working relationshipsInternalLaboratory scientists and bioinformaticians within VRDBioinformaticians in other groups throughout the organisationExternalWorld Health Organizations Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network comprising of many laboratories around the worldAcademic collaborators typically via Health Protection Research Units Job Overview You will work in the Virus Reference Department (VRD) located in Colindale, London, which is part of Reference Services within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories directorate of UKHSAs Science Group. Microbiology reference laboratories undertake complex and highly skilled techniques which often require nationally or internationally unique capabilities or facilities. Reference laboratories are required to provide authoritative, final and validated analysis for complex clinical or food microbiological problems and be innovative in driving microbiological methodology developments and standards. They have a key role in provision of expert advice to government and other national and international agencies, risk assessment for new and emerging microbiological threats and play an important role in teaching and training organism-specific and subject matter expertise to all grades of professional medical, nursing, scientific and technical staff. Design of national microbiological surveillance programmes and sampling strategies and outbreak detection and control are part of the day-to-day work of reference laboratories.The VRD comprises of several units, most of which apply bioinformatics and genomics to provide assays for the molecular detection of viruses of public health importance. VRDs work embraces both reference functions supporting the NHS and public health activity and has particular expertise in the detection and characterisation of sexually transmitted and blood borne viral pathogens and enteric and respiratory viruses. It hosts a Global Specialised Laboratory within the World Health Organisations Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, that provides an online global genomic surveillance platform to assist in monitoring of the WHOs Measles and Rubella Virus elimination programmes.Your role will be to provide bioinformatics support, alongside the Senior Bioinformatician, to scientists throughout VRD and so the work will encompass a diverse group of pathogens in various healthcare contexts. You will help to grow the expertise in sequence analysis throughout the VRD units by working in close collaboration with growing numbers of bioinformatics-focused microbiologists. Surveillance sequence data are continuously deposited in the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Networks online surveillance platform. Your role will include maintenance and further development of those databases and websites, and to support the WHO network scientists around the world who submit and analyse data on the platform. You will help to design, implement and validate bioinformatics analytical pipelines to generate high quality genome sequence using the latest technologies, contributing of the growing array of whole genome sequence assays provided by the VRD. Main Duties of the JobBIOINFORMATICSTo be responsible for reviewing developments in bioinformatics and, in collaboration with scientists, implementing new technology in the laboratory.Undertake whole genome analyses of pathogen data to address evolutionary and epidemiological questions.Contribute to the design of routine high-throughput sequencing assays.Contribute to the implementation of substantial, scalable informatics solutions for collection, storage, analysis of, and web-based access to clinical and molecular data.Develop bioinformatics solutions to allow comprehensive and appropriate interaction between central and local databases.Provide expert and specialist advice on scientific and technical solutions for bioinformatics.Responsible for the secure handling, storage and retrieval of sensitive data.Troubleshooting/fault-finding on software programmes specific to bioinformatics needs.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYIn conjunction with system managers and laboratory managers, ensure the validity of information generated from the laboratory information systems and design, organise and participate in data quality audits.To be involved in the development of web-based strategies for dissemination of information at directorate and local UKHSA level and act as a Web Administrator for such web sites.Online database maintenance.OtherThe 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 developmentYou 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. We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.