Job summary
We are actively seeking a Deputy Director of Bioinformatics to join the Southwest Genomic Laboratory Hub (SWGLH) team. This AfC 8B role offers an exciting and unique opportunity to be involved in the development of the infrastructure supporting the genomics patient pathway in the South West. The UK is recognised worldwide as a leader in genomics allowing us to deliver advances at scale and pace for the benefit of patients and their families. Bio-Informatics will play a vital role in the NHS realising the benefits of genomics
The SWGLH is a partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust and the Royal Devon University Healthcare Foundation Trust.
As a Deputy Director within the Genomics Bioinformatics team, you will play a crucial role in the strategic development of the bioinformatics service ensuring that it remains at the cutting edge of bioinformatics practice. You will provide senior coordination, ensuring the successful delivery of strategic elements of the NHSE genomics data and Digital strategy, with particular focus on unifying the SWGLH Bioinformatics teams to efficiently deliver this strategy.
The successful candidate will have a track record of project delivery, innovation, team building and problem solving. The candidate will work both regionally, and nationally across the GMS network and be expected to have an onsite presence across the SWGLH.
Main duties of the job
Under the direction of the SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director, steer the development of bioinformatics systems and ensure systems across the SWGLH meet the technical requirements of the service, as well as any contractual obligations
To support the SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director, in the strategic development of the bioinformatics service ensuring that it remains at the cutting edge of bioinformatics practice.
Undertake collaborative research (infrequently) and development on new bioinformatics applications for variant assessment, e.g., the use of AI, as well as the development of bioinformatics for new technologies.
Work with the GLH Management Group and local Laboratory leads to unify the SW bioinformatics teams to support the appropriate and efficient use of resources required to implement and maintain the bioinformatics, data management and storage systems.
Responsible for ensuring the bioinformatics pipelines and processes are compliant with all relevant regulatory standards (e.g., ISO 15189:2012) and accreditation bodies and that best practice guidelines and standards applicable to bioinformatics are adhered to.
About us
The SWGLH is a partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust and the Royal Devon University Healthcare Foundation Trust. The GLH is responsible for the delivery of high-quality genomic testing for the Southwest region. The SWGLH is also part of a network of 7 Hubs nationally which are working together to deliver the national genomic testing service through consolidated state of the art, high throughput, high quality, and standardised laboratories.
Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered. We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
The SWGLH values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.
1. The NHS provides Genomic testing through a single national testing network, creating a world-class resource for the NHS and underpinning the future Genomic Medicine Service. It also supports the delivery of the Governments Life Sciences Strategy and the broader research and innovation agenda, building upon the NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project.
2. The post holder will, under the direction of the Informatics Director, be responsible for all services bio-informatics activities. The South West GLH (SWGLH) is a partnership which is led by North Bristol NHS Trust and includes the Royal Devon University Healthcare Foundation Trust. Through this partnership, the GLH is responsible for the delivery of high-quality genomic testing for the Southwest region which covers Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, and Gloucestershire.
3. The SWGLH is also part of a network of 7 Hubs nationally which are working together to deliver the national genomic testing service through consolidated state of the art, high throughput, high quality, and standardised laboratories.
4. The GLHs have been established to:
4.1. Address the variation in quality and access to genetic testing across the country especially in cancer.
4.2. Improve the information available in terms of spending on testing and the type of tests being performed.
4.3. Broaden our understanding of the cause of disease and the effectiveness of the interventions that will be offered to patients and their families to help deliver high quality care for all, now and for future generations.
Main Duties of the Role
5. The post holder will report directly to SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director within the GLH and be accountable to the SW GLH Operations Director and Head of Lab for the BGL. The candidate will be expected to travel across the region, with a reasonable amount of time spent cross site working.
Strategic
6. The post holder will report directly to SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director within the GLH and be accountable to the SW GLH Operations Director and Head of Lab for the BGL. The candidate will be expected to travel across the region, with a reasonable amount of time spent cross site working.
7. Under the overall strategic direction of the SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director, provide Bioinformatics leadership for the SWGLH, taking responsibility for policy implementation, service development and implementation of new bioinformatic services in line with the NHSE vision for a patient centered Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) as well as other national legislation and initiatives.
8. The postholder will be required to deputise for the Bio informatics and Informatics Director in both regional and national meetings as required, contributing, and influencing bioinformatics development for the NHSE GMS.
9. Be responsible for overseeing the operations of the bioinformatics teams, working to support the aims of the SWGLH, working closely with the local laboratory Bioinformatics leads.
10. The post holder will also be responsible for supporting and delivering training components to develop the next generation of scientists and bioinformaticians. This role requires a significant engagement across the Southwest GLH and bioinformatics leadership at a regional and national level and thus excellent communication,
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.
1. The NHS provides Genomic testing through a single national testing network, creating a world-class resource for the NHS and underpinning the future Genomic Medicine Service. It also supports the delivery of the Governments Life Sciences Strategy and the broader research and innovation agenda, building upon the NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project.
2. The post holder will, under the direction of the Informatics Director, be responsible for all services bio-informatics activities. The South West GLH (SWGLH) is a partnership which is led by North Bristol NHS Trust and includes the Royal Devon University Healthcare Foundation Trust. Through this partnership, the GLH is responsible for the delivery of high-quality genomic testing for the Southwest region which covers Cornwall, Devon, Bristol, and Gloucestershire.
3. The SWGLH is also part of a network of 7 Hubs nationally which are working together to deliver the national genomic testing service through consolidated state of the art, high throughput, high quality, and standardised laboratories.
4. The GLHs have been established to:
4.1. Address the variation in quality and access to genetic testing across the country especially in cancer.
4.2. Improve the information available in terms of spending on testing and the type of tests being performed.
4.3. Broaden our understanding of the cause of disease and the effectiveness of the interventions that will be offered to patients and their families to help deliver high quality care for all, now and for future generations.
Main Duties of the Role
5. The post holder will report directly to SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director within the GLH and be accountable to the SW GLH Operations Director and Head of Lab for the BGL. The candidate will be expected to travel across the region, with a reasonable amount of time spent cross site working.
Strategic
6. The post holder will report directly to SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director within the GLH and be accountable to the SW GLH Operations Director and Head of Lab for the BGL. The candidate will be expected to travel across the region, with a reasonable amount of time spent cross site working.
7. Under the overall strategic direction of the SWGLH Informatics and Clinical Bioinformatics Director, provide Bioinformatics leadership for the SWGLH, taking responsibility for policy implementation, service development and implementation of new bioinformatic services in line with the NHSE vision for a patient centered Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) as well as other national legislation and initiatives.
8. The postholder will be required to deputise for the Bio informatics and Informatics Director in both regional and national meetings as required, contributing, and influencing bioinformatics development for the NHSE GMS.
9. Be responsible for overseeing the operations of the bioinformatics teams, working to support the aims of the SWGLH, working closely with the local laboratory Bioinformatics leads.
10. The post holder will also be responsible for supporting and delivering training components to develop the next generation of scientists and bioinformaticians. This role requires a significant engagement across the Southwest GLH and bioinformatics leadership at a regional and national level and thus excellent communication,
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Health and Care professions council (HCPC) registered in Clinical Bioinformatics (Master's qualification).
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of working in UNIX/LINUX and BASH scripting.
- Knowledge of utilising relational databases, spreadsheets and other data manipulation packages and the understanding and knowledge to exploit bioinformatics opportunities related to their use.
- Good programming skills in a modern object orientated scripting language (such as Python, Ruby, Scala, PERL etc) suitable for pipeline development and ad hoc scripting.
- Demonstrable evidence of delivering bio-informatics projects on time and within budget, within a complex environment.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Health and Care professions council (HCPC) registered in Clinical Bioinformatics (Master's qualification).
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience of working in UNIX/LINUX and BASH scripting.
- Knowledge of utilising relational databases, spreadsheets and other data manipulation packages and the understanding and knowledge to exploit bioinformatics opportunities related to their use.
- Good programming skills in a modern object orientated scripting language (such as Python, Ruby, Scala, PERL etc) suitable for pipeline development and ad hoc scripting.
- Demonstrable evidence of delivering bio-informatics projects on time and within budget, within a complex environment.
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
North Bristol NHS Trust
Address
Bristol Genetics Laboratory, North Bristol NHS Trust
Pathology Sciences Building, Southmead Hospital,
Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol
BS10 5NB
Employer's website
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
