Bioinformatician (Information Analyst Specialist): Sponsorship Available

Public Health Wales

Job summary

PenGU Bioinformaticsis thesoftware development and analysis supportarm of theMicrobiologyDivision. Itsupports genomic diagnostics, bespoke software development, genomicsurveillance of communicable disease and infections in Wales,andprovides support forHealth Protection Teamsin outbreak investigation and control, provides health intelligence on communicable diseasemattersand carries out applied research.Bioinformatics activity covers5 subjectareas: 1.Antimicrobial resistance, 2.Viruses,sexualhealth, TBand Vaccinepreventable disease and respiratory infection3. Software development 4. Next Generation Sequencingand 5.Genomicepidemiology,researchand training. The post-holder will beassigned to one or moresubject groups,but will provide support to the others, asrequired.

Main duties of the job

The post-holderwill bea keymember ofscientific staff withintheBioinformatics teamwhichisbased within the Public Health WalesMicrobiologyDivision. Theywill work closely withseniorscientists,clinical scientists, bioinformaticiansand other team members,to develop newbioinformaticssystems,expand on existing onesand provide support during outbreak and major event situations. The post-holder will take a lead on discrete projectsandreportsandhelp ensure that analytical and reporting deadlines are met.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • A first degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent experience
  • Post graduate qualification in public health, epidemiology, bioinformatics statistics or related subject or equivalent experience
  • Post graduate experience of scientific or information analysis work
  • Experience of working with large or complex data sets
  • Experience of project based working
  • Experience of producing written reports for publication and working to deadlines

Desirable

  • Strong background in a biological science or health related field
  • Experience of working in software development and of software versioning systems
  • Experience of communicating information to scientific audiences, external partners and the public
  • Experience of research and development

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Skilled in use of data analysis, coding and/or statistical software packages (e.g. Python, SQL, R)
  • Excellent analytical and epidemiological skills, including statistical analysis and data interpretation
  • Good all round IT skills, including using and interrogating databases
  • Excellent written communication skills, including report writing and presentation of data in appropriate formats
  • Ability to plan and organise a number of concurrent projects
  • Ability to self-manage workload, work to agreed objectives, set priorities and meet deadlines
  • Ability to contribute to and evaluate peer reviewed papers
  • Knowledge of microbiological principles
  • A broad basic knowledge of information governance, data security and privacy issues

Desirable

  • Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
  • Skilled in mapping and data visualisation software
  • Basic knowledge of public health
  • Knowledge of health service organisation in Wales

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Able to work independently and as a member of a team, with high levels of motivation
  • Able to engage with people at all levels
  • Able to respond calmly to unpredictable work patterns and meet urgent deadlines
  • Flexible, adaptable and innovative approach to work
  • Conscientious and pays attention to detail
  • Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality

Other

Essential

  • Commitment to continuous personal development
  • Prepared to travel
  • Willing to work flexible hours if required to meet the needs of the service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 18 October 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.