The pathogen genomics senior scientist will provide technical and scientific expertise, for the development and implementation of a new genomics driven nationwide wastewater monitoring and surveillance capability. The post holder will work closely with the Pathogen Genomics Scientific Lead and wider scientific teams to support the development and implementation of genomics services.
This post will work cross departmentally, between Science and The Chief Data Officer Group (CDO) with colleagues across UKHSA and wider, comprising a large diverse community of genomic scientists, microbiology specialists, bioinformaticians, data analysts, modellers, epidemiologists and other experts. This is a unique opportunity to work at the interface between cutting edge genomics and data analysis. Supporting our ambitions to create a nationwide scale wastewater monitoring and surveillance capability, working with several collaborators across UKHSA, government and academia. Working together, this exciting programme will be at the forefront of translational innovation, developing new genomic capabilities for wastewater monitoring and surveillance of human pathogens.
The post holder will work with colleagues who are based across the country at different sites and/or who work remotely.

THE POST HOLDER WILL NEED TO HAVE:

A good understanding of genomics and molecular biology for the study of infectious diseases and ideally some bioinformatics experience, specifically within Genomics.
Excellent genomics knowhow and hands on experience in the diversity of genome sequencing approaches.
Great communication skills will be needed to train others, engage with users, and share knowhow.
A strong understanding of the relevant technologies, applications and limitations or strengths of, for pathogen genomics will be important.
This exciting programme will be at the forefront of development of new genomic capabilities for wastewater monitoring and surveillance of human pathogens. The post holder will lead on developing rapid targeted sequencing and metagenomic methodologies for pathogens from wastewater, across our suites of Illumina and ONT platforms. We are seeking a dynamic, applied research genomics scientist, who has R&D and implementation expertise, someone who is proactive, keen to translate genomic R&D to new services for wastewater. A key aim will be the acceleration of development to implementation of new automated genomic capabilities for the analyses of wastewater, aligned with our genomics strategy and stakeholder needs across our national network of laboratories. This includes the development and evaluation of new genomic methods, optimise current workflows, supporting service development and horizon scanning.
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
This is a collaborative, hands on role, supporting the modernisation of genomic technologies and workflows for wastewater. The post holder will:
Bridge research, development, and innovation with practicable implemented solutions pathogen genomic applications
Create and demonstrating a new nationwide in scale pathogen genomic wastewater capability.
Develop genomic workflows, ensuring they are cheap, fast, more accurate and more accessible.
Support development and optimisation of laboratory Pathogen Genomics waste water services, providing high quality analyses that meet clinical and scientific requirements and comply with best practice, and are safe, economical, and effective.
Provide technical and scientific expertise, for the development of new and optimised molecular and genomic workflows for the monitoring and surveillance of pathogens from wastewater.
Work with the Pathogen Genomics Scientific Lead as an enabler of a nationwide scale wastewater capability.
Work with colleagues across the team, UKHSA wide and with external organisations to accelerate R&D, and support implementation of new wastewater capabilities, which can automated, for a diversity of human pathogens.
Focus on the development of a new pathogen genomic wastewater monitoring and surveillance capability.
Support the Pathogen Genomics Scientific team, developing genomic workflows, for a variety of different pathogens.
Provide expert public health genomics advice and support, underpinned by data driven decision making.
Analyse and interprete genomics run data, QC and outputs from common bioinformatic tools, to support interpretation and analyses of new methods and troubleshooting.
Leverage innovative solutions, great communication skills, and public health genomics expertise.
Be an enabler of knowledge exchange, working with expert and non-expert stakeholders, to bridge R&D with implementation.
Support the delivery of our genomics strategy so therefore must be a highly motivated, solutions focused team player who is able to work across a diversity of teams and expertise.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please refer the Job description for details