Sequencing Lead

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 275969**Salary**:

- £49,592 - £62,286- pro rata, per annum**Job grade**:

- Grade 7**Contract type**:

- Fixed Term**Length of employment**:

- until 30th September 2023 irrespective of start date**Type of role**:

- Science**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Leamington Spa/ Hybrid working with travel to UKHSA Laboratories requiredAbout the job

**Job summary**:

- 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**Job description**:
At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Health Protection Operations (HPO) purpose is to make every single person’s life in every community better by protecting health across the UK and the around the globe. The HPO Group delivers operational services that protect people locally, regionally, nationally and at a global level to secure our health protection from infectious disease, environmental, chemical, and radiological threats.

Working with the laboratories senior leadership team, key stakeholders in the UKHSA and across government departments and local Directors of Public Health you will further shape and deliver the strategic offer to our partners and the public.

As Sequencing Lead at UK Health Security Agency, you will have the opportunity to shape and fully evolve the future offer of molecular diagnostic capability.

The Sequencing function performs a range of outputs relating to the development and use of sequencing for health diagnostics, surveillance and discovery. As the Sequencing Lead, the postholder will take ownership for requirement gathering, creating the overall workflow for sequencing projects in-line with the organisation's strategy. You will drive continuous innovation and advocate new technologies and processes.

This leadership position presents a unique opportunity to play a vital role in the development of new emerging diagnostic technologies leveraging the lessons learned and building on the legacy of Covid19 testing.

**Location**:

- This role will be based in Leamington Spa (Rosalind Franklin Laboratory)._
- UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees - Any opportunities for informal hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. This will be determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policies for flexible working._
- Some occasional business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices/locations as determined by business needs._
- Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available._

**Reserve List**:
**Eligibility**:
**Salary**:
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum; transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet
- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

**Person specification**:
Key Responsibilities:

- To stay ahead of new emergent technologies and promote a creative environment where innovation can flourish
- To drive the strategic direction of new services and create a quality by design approach to all new workflows
- Facilitate technology and methodology decision making throughout the team instilling rigor and best practice
- Service improvement - devise a tactical plan for service improvement alongside de novo project work which can be collaboratively carried out by the team
- Formation of strategic partnerships with industry and academic institutions

Essential Criteria:

- Development and deployment of a clinical diagnostic assay within the 15189:2012 quality framework
- Deep understanding of molecular and sequencing test procedures and assay design
- Experience and understanding of best practice in a regulated environment
- Experienced in leading a team across multiple work streams
- Experience working on govern