Biomedical / Clinical or Senior Healthcare Scientist

The UKHSA Immunisation and Diagnosis Unit (IDU) is a WHO Global Specialised Laboratory for Measles & Rubella, providing additional reference & surveillance services for Mumps, Parvovirus B19, Polyomavirus JC, Varicella Zoster Virus, Human Herpes Virus 6&7 and Intrathecal antibody investigations. Based at Colindale this post provides technical & scientific expertise for development &implementation of a new whole genome sequencing (WGS) service inthe IDU. The post holder will support WGS implementation for the delivery of IDU's reference & surveillance activities. They will lead on development &implementation of sequencing workflows for IDU pathogens using Illumina and ONT platforms as well as other relevant projects. We seek a dynamic, applied research genomics scientist with R&D & implementation expertise, proactive & keen to translate genomic R&D to new services. The role will develop & evaluate new genomic methods, optimise current workflows, support service development & horizon scanning. Excellent pathogen genomics knowledge & hands on experience in the diversity of pathogen genome sequencing approaches & ideally some bioinformatics experience. Greatcommunication skills are needed to train & engage with users & share knowledge. The post holder will support the validation of new genomic services &collaborate with scientists across these areas. A strong understanding of the relevant technologies & their application to pathogen genomics is important.,

• Bridge research, development, & innovation with practicable implemented solutions for end use pathogen genomic applications for vaccine preventable virus surveillance.
• Aiming to make workflows, cheaper, faster, more accurate & accessible.
• Support development & optimisation of scalable automated laboratory workflows. Provide high quality analyses to meet clinical & scientific requirements which comply with best practice. Are safe, economical & effective.
• Provide scientific advice, support & oversight of projects. Collaborate with IDU & genomic users to facilitate knowledge exchange & foster strong communications.
• Ensure & where appropriate undertake data analyses for QC/QA verification, validation, present complex information & support analyses for KPI business management purposes.
• Use of developed pipelines & tools for sequence QC, assembly or mapping, variant calling & phylogenetic analysis to interpret measles sequencing result.
• Participate in national UKHSA activities as required, policy development, health & safety, training, procurement & audit.
• Maintain & further develop the national & international reputation of the UKHSA IDU service through development of strategic, academic, public sector & commercial relationships. Including supporting funding applications, participation, design, implementation, and management of R&D projects.
• Provide support in any UKHSA co-ordinated response of a National/International Nature, Bio terrorism incident or major disease outbreak.
  
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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.