Data Manager (Laboratory Informatics)

Job summary

We are seeking a Data Manager who will join the Bioinformatics team of the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMR & HCAI) Division and support management of epidemiological and pathogen genomics data across several areas, including but not limited to:

• Surgical Site Infection Surveillance (SSI)
• Streptococcal Infection
• Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing (AMRP)
• Mandatory Surveillance of Bloodstream Infections including Gram negative infections and Clostridium difficile
• Infections in Critical Care Units (ICCU)

Much of the required data is generated by UKHSA laboratories that provide reference services for healthcare acquired pathogens and those prone to develop AMR, principally the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) Reference Unit within the UKHSA’s

Bacteriology Reference Department (BRD), to which the post is closely linked.

AMRHAI is the national reference laboratory for investigation of antibiotic resistance in, and characterization of, healthcare associated bacterial pathogens and works closely with the AMR & HCAI Division.

Working for your organisation

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

Job description

The Data Manager shall lead the development and management of laboratory information systems within labs including LIMS, MOLIS, WHONet, workload analysis and business intelligence. They shall provide data outputs from various sources in the unit, assist with service development work, including through the use of IT and informatics skills, facilitate computer-assisted work processes and greater use of automation.

Responsibilities include the integration of pathogen whole genome sequencing data into laboratory service delivery and AMR & HCAI Division surveillance.

Duties also include:

• To be responsible for the development and management of information systems within the relevant labs including LIMS, MOLIS, WHONet, workload analysis, and business intelligence.
• To advise the lab management team on the development and implementation of information systems as described above.
• To represent labs on pathogen genomics working groups, other IT-related committees including the groups for MOLIS and other IT/LIMS issues.
• To advise lab staff on data handling and analysis issues e.g., building data extraction queries and linkage of data.
• To produce and edit presentation of data for lab reports. To lead or participate in the development and deployment of databases and informatics tools within the relevant labs.
• To facilitate introduction of computer-assisted work processes, greater use of automation, and LIMS aspects of integrating whole genome sequencing, or other pipelines into service delivery and surveillance.
• To be responsible for training staff in the use of departmental databases (including MOLIS superusers), applications, and other software tools or, where appropriate, to define training needs including their own and identify suitable courses.
• Ensure all information systems adhere to UKHSA Data Protection policy and all Caldicott regulations.
• To prepare papers and reports, and present work at appropriate meetings.

Quality

In collaboration with relevant lab management and the Quality Team, to:

• Maintain a high standard of work and appraise and contribute to developing the service of the unit so that service delivery is safe, effective and follows best practice.
• Contribute to audits within the unit as scheduled by the Quality Manager.
• Take every opportunity to suggest quality improvements.

Information Technology

• To contribute to the development of information technology systems and databases as required, including appropriate databases.
• To use software packages appropriate for word processing, presentations, data analysis, as well as specialist bioinformatics packages as required.
• To liaise with LIMS super users and IT colleagues on the introduction of new tests and to facilitate the authorisation of reports at technical and medical level on the MOLIS database.
• To ensure that websites and webpages referring to UKHSA reference services are developed and regularly maintained.
• To undertake risk assessment for all new and existing work and to ensure that controls are implemented, monitored and maintained.

Safety

• To attend safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate.

This is not an exhaustive list and is only an outline of the main duties and responsibilities required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager and team.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• MSc that includes modules on database design, implementation, and usage e.g., in Life Sciences, Computer Science etc. or equivalent experience in a data field (e.g. database management)
• Expertise in design, building and querying databases (MS Access and at least one other major Relational Database Management System e.g., postgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle)
• Experience of understanding and identifying the IT requirements of a business function
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to communicate information to all grades of staff in an accurate and fluent manner
• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

• Experience in bioinformatics and biostatistics
• Experience of working in and an understanding of the IT requirements of a reference or clinical microbiology laboratory
• Knowledge of data security, information governance and confidentiality issues

Benefits

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 (opens in a new window).

• 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%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Technical skills and Experience.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria and this will be in the form of a :

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,000 word Supporting Statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1, 500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV. Please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Expertise in design, building and querying databases (MS Access and at least one other major Relational Database Management System e.g., postgre SQL, SQL Server, Oracle)

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single ) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Technical Skills and Experience will be tested.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be :

• Changing and Improving (Lead)
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

You will be asked to prepare a 10 min presentation describing a data management project or function that you have contributed to. The objective is to assess your ability to communicate, and for us to understand your approach to data management.

The full details will be shared with you if you progress to interview stage.

Eligibility Criteria - External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Location - Colindale

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)working at our campus.

Based at our scientific campus, 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. 

F uture lo cation

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK .

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If yo