Clinical Scientist - Bioinformatician - Genetics

Leeds Teaching Hospitals; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS health organization is seeking a Clinical Scientist - Bioinformatician in Leeds, offering a permanent, full-time position. Candidates will provide specialized bioinformatics support for genomic data impacting patient care. Responsibilities include working within a team on diagnostic platforms, providing expert advice to NHS staff, and conducting research. Applicants should possess a degree in Biological Science or related field and registration with HCPC. This role involves collaboration and effective communication in a clinical setting.

Qualifications

• Strong genetics knowledge is essential for the role.
• Experience with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is preferred.
• Knowledge of statistical principles and tests is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide bioinformatics expertise to support diagnostic platforms.
• Work with the NEY GLH team to plan activities and enhance capabilities.
• Communicate complex information within clinical settings.

Skills

Programming skills in PERL, Python or JAVA

Ability to communicate complex ideas

Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination

Self-confident, team player

Education

1st or 2nd class honours degree in Biological Science, Bioinformatics or Computer Science

Registration as a Clinical Scientist with HCPC

Supervised in-service experience

Tools

Unix/Linux

Statistical software

Job description

Clinical Scientist - Bioinformatician - Genetics

Registered Clinical Scientist Bioinformatician (Genomics)

1x permanent Band 7 Clinical Scientist Bioinformatician position (based at either Leeds, Sheffield or Newcastle North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub sites). 37.5 hours per week, full time.

We are recruiting a HCPC‑registered (or soon to be registered) Clinical Scientist – Bioinformatician to join the NEY GLH bioinformatics team. The role supports diagnostic platforms across rare disease and cancer, providing highly specialised bioinformatics expertise, analysing, interpreting and reporting genomic data that directly impacts patient care. Candidates should be willing to work out‑of‑hours rotas including weekends and bank holidays as required.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialised bioinformatics expertise to support diagnostic platforms used within NEY GLH, including data handling, analysis and interpretation.
• Work within the NEY GLH virtual team across sites to plan activities and develop bioinformatics capability.
• Provide expert advice and interpretation to clinical teams and NHS staff to enable authorisation of patient reports.
• Carry out research, development and audit in genetics and bioinformatics.
• Communicate sensitive or complex information to users of the service according to departmental and GLH procedures.
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures, quality standards and governance frameworks.
• Participate in equipment procurement and evaluation.
• Provide education and training to technical, scientific and medical staff.
• Actively participate in laboratory quality assurance, risk management and audit processes.
• Assist with policy implementation, development of departmental protocols and contribute to policy change where appropriate.
• Implement agreed policies, support service development and carry out audit programmes to underpin research and development.
• Contribute to general departmental and GLH management and provide delegated tasks from the head of department.
• Plan, prioritise and manage activities and projects, and conduct audit and re‑audit of bioinformatics service elements.
• Identify and report adverse incidents through designated channels.

Key NE&Y GLH Responsibilities (selected)

• Consolidate services to deliver significant efficiencies.
• Operate within a national testing network and a coherent informatics infrastructure.
• Provide technical and analytical platforms, bioinformatics annotation and validation.
• Deliver clinical interpretation, reporting and result return.
• Ensure quality management and assurance of processes and data.
• Plan and develop workforce for now and the future.
• Govern organisational partnership arrangements.
• Promote research and innovation.
• Work with other GLHs to form a national network of genomic laboratories.
• Participate in regular meetings convened by NHS England’s Genomic Unit.
• Deliver genomic testing as outlined in the National Genomic Test Directory.
• Maintain local networks of subcontracted laboratories for cancer genomic testing.
• Operate enhanced working practices to ensure seven‑day services.
• Ensure quality and review opportunities to further consolidate services.
• Fulfil membership criteria for UKGTN, UKAS ISO accreditation and other NHS England Genomics Unit requirements.

Qualifications

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree in Biological Science with a strong genetics component, or Bioinformatics or Computer Science.
• Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Supervised in‑service experience.
• Knowledge of statistical principles and tests.
• Knowledge of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Experience

• Programming skills in a modern programming language such as PERL, Python or JAVA, with experience working in a Unix/Linux environment.
• Information technology skills (hardware and software) relevant to large dataset manipulation (e.g. archives, backups, networks and servers).
• Ability to communicate complex ideas to non‑specialists.

Skills & Behaviours

• Manual dexterity and good hand‑eye coordination.
• Self‑confident but able to work well as part of a team.

Additional Information

Interview date: TBC.

For further enquiries or a confidential discussion please contact Helena Spiewak (NEY GLH Lead Bioinformatician) at [e-mail].

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.