Software Developer / Bioinformatician(ID2978)
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 2nd December 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
London £37,480 - £40,170
pro rata for job share
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
At the Animal and Plant Health Agency, we safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.
The Central Unit for Sequencing and PCR (CUSP) is an interdisciplinary group within the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) that provides key laboratory services for the detection and genetic characterisation of infectious disease in animals and plants across Great Britain. In collaboration with other departments, CUSP’s outputs are utilised in surveillance programmes that investigate transmission and respond to emerging outbreaks. The main team is based at the APHA site in Weybridge, but the role could be based anywhere in GB, with travel to Weybridge when required.
This role within CUSP is to provide programming and bioinformatics expertise to develop automated data analysis and visualisation tools, so requires an end-to-end understanding of data flows within our group though to multiple end-users. You will need to understand how our data is generated by the lab and then how it is aggregated, processed and reported. This will be pivotal in enabling us to improve infrastructure, expand delivery of APHA’s bioinformatics pipelines, and build cutting-edge surveillance applications.
Job description
The job will:
- Work within a team to develop software solutions that process, report and visualise outputs from the sequencing laboratory.
- Streamline and automate data flows between laboratory instrumentation, cloud compute resources, and corporate IT systems.
- Write high quality code managed by version control and automated tests.
- Support research on methodologies for analysis of genome sequence data.
- Strengthen APHA’s bioinformatics and surveillance applications in collaborative cross-departmental teams.
- Communicate with research scientists, epidemiologists, and veterinarians to understand the problems, plan solutions, and drive development forward.
Liaise with external organisations (e.g., collaborating institutes, Public Sector Establishments and Universities) to develop common solutions.
Person specification
We are seeking proactive and ambitious Software Developers / Bioinformaticians to strengthen genomics integration across multiple projects within the Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department at APHA. The post holder will apply their technical skills to expand cloud infrastructure for our whole genome sequencing platform, integrate with APHA’s Laboratory Information Management System and develop cutting-edge disease surveillance applications.
Reporting to the Lead Bioinformatics Scientific Programmer, the successful candidate will:
- Have an enthusiasm for working in a multidisciplinary team and learning new technical skills on-the-job.
- Produce high quality and reproducible code according to quality standards and best practices.
- Collaborate with researchers, scientists, data managers, and other stakeholders to ensure developments are efficient, comply with existing standards, and reflect emerging priorities.
- Present and report data insights that result in actionable outputs that improve our processes.
- Coordinate with internal/external customers, build working relationships and grow their network.
- Participate in scientific discussion and training on new software technologies and research applications.
- Support research publications and technical reports in the areas of animal and public health research bioinformatics.
- Communicate with internal/external staff with regards to system changes, queries, or issues.
- An interest in software development and its application to challenging problems.
- Practical knowledge and experience of current software engineering principles, tools, and techniques.
- Good organisation skills and the ability to work on multiple projects and prioritise workloads.
- Knowledge of cloud computing services such as AWS / Azure.
- Knowledge of genomics, epidemiology, bioinformatics and / or phylogenetics would be advantageous.
Qualifications
Degree in relevant technical area (e.g. Bioinformatics, Computer Science or Mathematics) or equivalent experience.
Location
The role can be based at Weybridge or York. Other APHA science locations may be considered, subject to desk availability.
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience writing code in one or more programming languages (particularly front-end development such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS)
- Exceptional time management ability to deliver concurrent projects
- Knowledge of agile development workflows
- Knowledge of software development in Windows and/or Linux operating systems.
- Experience with code version control (e.g., git)
Benefits
In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support as the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employee contributory pension (28.97%), staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, and Personal statement (250 words).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the behaviours listed using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) format, technical skills and experience listed in the application form and Job description.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in applications:
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be carefully reviewed and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn.
We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources for your application; however, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write statements without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences. Please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own.
Location
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based in a Defra/APHA group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).
Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
The role can be based at Weybridge or York. Other APHA science locations may be considered, subject to desk availability.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had theg.ir employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all post holders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Medical
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Science.DirectorateHR@apha.gov.uk
- Email : Science.DirectorateHR@apha.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
