Lead Bioinformatics Engineer

Our Lead Bioinformatics Engineer is an experienced bioinformatician with strong competencies in software engineering, data engineering and/or infrastructure.

This role is expected to provide technical expertise and leadership across multiple squads in the bioinformatics directorate. 

In particular, this Lead role will play a key part in accelerating genomics research in Genomics England by leading the development of scalable bioinformatics pipelines and cloud-based infrastructure solutions. 

Additionally, the successful candidate will lead the development of best practices across the chapter and directorate to ensure the delivery of high-quality, scientifically valid, production-ready code and contributes to their adoption across the company. 

The post holder will be responsible for the recruitment, mentoring and line management of core and senior bioinformaticians across the Research Tribe.  

Everyday responsibilities include: 

• Provide technical leadership at the chapter level and across multiple squads. 
• Participate in Chapter and Directorate managerial meetings and associated tasks. 
• Lead on design decisions for projects across the chapter. 
• Provide Subject Matter Expertise in collaboration with the Scalable Tech service. 
• Foster internal and external networks of collaborators to avoid duplication of efforts, bring innovation and promote knowledge sharing. 
• Define best practices for the chapter. 
• Bring innovative thinking in bioinformatics and software engineering across the chapter and directorate. 
• Proactively keeping up to date with the relevant areas of bioinformatics, genomics, software engineering and data engineering practices. 
• Lead and manage recruitment across the chapter. 
• Manage and lead an inclusive, high performing team, ensuring that we have the right skills in place to deliver our mission. 

Skills and Experience for Success 

We anticipate the ideal candidate will have: 

• Experience in developing cloud infrastructure and have a good understanding of cloud services (AWS preferred).
• Experience in creating and productionising data/bioinformatics pipelines using workflow orchestrators (Nextflow preferred) and container technologies.  
• Experience in developing CI/CD pipelines in a git repository/version control system.  
• Track record of cross-functional or cross-disciplinary collaboration. 
• Highly proficient in at least one programming language (e.g. Python), with a willingness to adapt and learn new languages as needed. 
• Familiarity with best practices in relevant areas, willingness to champion best practices in the squad e.g., software engineering, organization, and adherence to these best practices.
• Ability to make reasoned assessments, supported by evidence, experience, or knowledge, in order to propose/challenge proposals and make decisions.  
• Experience of leading, motivating and engaging team members in an inclusive manner. 

MSc equivalent or higher in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Bioinformatics or equivalent experience. 

Salary from £75,500

Being an integral part of such a meaningful mission is extremely rewarding in itself, but in order to support our people, we’re continually improving our benefits package. We pride ourselves on investing in our people and supporting them to achieve their career goals, as well as offering a benefits package including: 

• 30 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays), with additional days for long service awards
• A generous pension scheme of up to 15% combined contribution
• Life Assurance (3 x salary)
• Individual learning budgets for every colleague, a Blinkist account and a wide variety of courses on our portal
• A wide variety of wellness benefits including Gympass, a Headspace account, free weekly Yoga classes
• Enhanced maternity & paternity benefits
• Blended working arrangements

Talk to our Talent Team and find out how a career with Genomics England will benefit you.

We are aware of an ongoing issue with our application portal which is leading to some applications not being received. We are investigating this, but in the meantime, if you do not receive an email confirming your application was successful please email [email protected] with your CV and any cover note you wish to add, to ensure you are considered for the role

#LI-Hybrid

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background.

Genomics England’s policies of non-discrimination and equity and will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or recently becoming a parent, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part-time or employed under a permanent or a fixed-term contract or any other relevant factor. 

Genomics England does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work. Such behaviour is contrary to our virtues, undermines our mission and core values and diminishes the dignity, respect and integrity of all parties. 

Genomics England operates a blended working model as we know our people appreciate the flexibility. We expect most people to come into the office 2 times each month as a minimum. However, this will vary according to role and will be agreed with your team leader. There is no expectation that staff will return to the office full time unless they want to, however, some of our roles require you to be on site full time e.g., lab teams, reception team. 

Our teams and squads have, and will continue to, reflect on what works best for them to work together successfully and have the freedom to design working patterns to suit, beyond the minimum. Our office locations are Canary Wharf, Cambridge and Leeds.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates are subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.  We therefore require applicants to disclose any previous offences at point of application, as some unspent convictions may mean we are unable to proceed with your application due to the nature of our work in healthcare.