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.
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 for further advice.
Job Summary
This post is based within the Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory at Colindale, part of the Bacteriology Reference Department within UKHSA’s Science Group. STIRL provides national reference and surveillance services for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), supporting diagnostic laboratories, clinicians, and public health teams. STIRL includes microbiologists, healthcare scientists, and bioinformaticians working collaboratively to deliver world-class reference testing, surveillance, and outbreak support.
STIRL provides specialised testing to detect, investigate, and characterise clinically important STIs and monitor antimicrobial resistance. Using established and innovative phenotypic and genotypic assays, STIRL assesses the susceptibility of STIs to treatments, supporting case management and national surveillance. It plays a key role in defining and investigating outbreaks, identifying diagnostic escape mutants, and providing guidance on STIs.
The Bioinformatician will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing the bioinformatics and public health informatics strategy for STIRL. They will design and build analytical pipelines for genomic data from surveillance programmes, reference investigations, and research studies. The post holder will lead genomic analyses of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, and M. genitalium, support national surveillance programmes, and contribute to publications, reports, and outbreak investigations.
Job Description
Bioinformatics
- Lead the analysis and interpretation of bacterial genomic sequences within the remit of the Unit
- Conduct whole and partial genome analyses to address evolutionary, epidemiological, and antimicrobial resistance questions.
- Monitor developments in bioinformatics and assess their application to the Unit and the wider GRASP and MARS programmes
- Provide expert technical advice on bioinformatics approaches and scientific solutions
- Ensure the secure handling, storage, and retrieval of sensitive data
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues with bioinformatics software and pipelines
Information Technology
- Work with the Lead Bioinformatician, Unit Head, Technical Manager, and Quality teams to ensure the accuracy of laboratory information systems, contributing to data quality audits
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of IT and informatics developments relevant to UKHSA operations
Professional Development and Collaboration
- Identify and pursue professional development needs through the appraisal process and attend all mandatory training
- Collaborate closely with the Bioinformatics Unit, Reference Services, and the Central Sequencing Unit
- Liaise with UKHSA ICT and relevant internal and external stakeholders, including NHS, academic, and commercial partners
- Undertake other reasonable duties aligned with the evolving needs of the organisation
Please be aware this list is not exhaustive.
Bioinformatics
- Lead the analysis and interpretation of bacterial genomic sequences within the remit of the Unit
- Conduct whole and partial genome analyses to address evolutionary, epidemiological, and antimicrobial resistance questions.
- Monitor developments in bioinformatics and assess their application to the Unit and the wider GRASP and MARS programmes
- Provide expert technical advice on bioinformatics approaches and scientific solutions
- Ensure the secure handling, storage, and retrieval of sensitive data
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues with bioinformatics software and pipelines
Information Technology
- Work with the Lead Bioinformatician, Unit Head, Technical Manager, and Quality teams to ensure the accuracy of laboratory information systems, contributing to data quality audits
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of IT and informatics developments relevant to UKHSA operations
Professional Development and Collaboration
- Identify and pursue professional development needs through the appraisal process and attend all mandatory training
- Collaborate closely with the Bioinformatics Unit, Reference Services, and the Central Sequencing Unit
- Liaise with UKHSA ICT and relevant internal and external stakeholders, including NHS, academic, and commercial partners
- Undertake other reasonable duties aligned with the evolving needs of the organisation
Please be aware this list is not exhaustive.
Person specification
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
Alongside your salary of £46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,416 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
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
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 words. 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
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have 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. 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 for further advice.
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.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Link: Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name : Tom Geldeard
- Email : Tom.Geldeard@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
