Head of Medical Genomics

**Job Purpose**
The CRUK Scotland Centre supports cancer research within both Glasgow and Edinburgh focused on six tumour-specific themes, based on cancer types that profoundly affect the Scottish population or in which there is a growing expertise in Scotland: colorectal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, mesothelioma, brain and gynaecological. Underpinning this work is state-of-the-art infrastructure that ensures a translational pipeline from basic science to the clinic. A key component of this pipeline is genomics.
This role, funded by the Centre, will provide strategic direction and leadership in genomics, supporting its further development for research across Glasgow and Edinburgh and the translation of next generation sequencing into the NHS via the Glasgow Precision Oncology Laboratory (GPOL), located within the Laboratory Genetics department of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Working closely with University and NHS colleagues, the key objectives will be ensuring genomics to the highest clinical standards are available for clinical studies and trials performed by the CRUK Scotland Centre; working towards a new, improved pipeline for routinely sampling and testing tumours with GGC, Lothian and other Scottish health boards**;** ensuring consistent test availability and methodology across those same sites, working with Oncologists, Geneticists, Pathologists and basic scientists; and ensuring comparable analysis is available for model systems (as appropriate) by working with research theme leads in the Centre**.** This will all require robust data analysis, quality control and storage provision.
The role will provide a clear strategic vision and highly specialized technical expertise, contributing to the GPOL service activities, development of the strategic objectives, delivering complex genomic diagnostics and analyses for national and international projects, through research and evolving leadership of GPOL.
More broadly, the individual will be expected to develop innovative, cutting-edge solutions and maximize efficiencies to support world-leading research activity; support the strategic objectives and priorities of the School/College in line with the University’s ambitions; undertake substantial responsibilities associated with managing external stakeholder relationships that enhance the University’s reputation, advance knowledge exchange, public understanding and outreach and strengthen links with professional bodies; and contribute to the strategy and policy for medical genomics within the University and through networking with national and international bodies.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
1. Provide a strategic vision and leadership for the development of medium and long-term strategic objectives for genomics, as part of the advancement of CRUK Scotland Centre and Institute of Cancer Sciences (ICS) strategic objectives.
2. Lead the GPOL communications strategy, including representations in media interviews and other publicity, developing communications and raising the profile of GPOL nationally and internationally.
3. Build and maintain relationships with NHS colleagues within the Laboratory Genetics department of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to help inform the strategical direction of translation developments for cancer.
4. Drive translational and commercialisation strategies for wet-bench and informatics processes (e.g. involvement in generation of startup models and licensing agreements), interact with public healthcare systems and industry partners, as appropriate, obtain funding for product development and delivery to market.
6. Champion the pioneering of the technological capabilities of the functional area to deliver next generational solutions.
7. In partnership with the Head of Research Regulation and Compliance, be accountable for ensuring that GPOL, and all associated operations, including translational and commercialisation activities, meet the required internal and external regulations and policies, and be involved in and have oversight of internal/external audits and inspections related to GPOL.
8. Regular review of GPOL operations, including wet-bench and bioinformatics delivery and issuing of customer contracts, addressing performance issues as appropriate. Ensuring the necessary resources are available to meet current and future needs and to deliver world-class service, including recruitment of consultants, when appropriate.
9. Responsibility for effective operation of GPOL, ensuring budget and resourcing is controlled effectively within constraints, including exploration of process/service enhancements to improve efficiency and effectiveness, i.e. through review of appropriate external benchmarks.
10. Represent the Institute/College/University on key external bodies and working groups and at significant external events nationally and internationally to promote excellence in advancement of GPOL, medical genomics and collaborat