Lead Genomic Data Scientist - Cancer (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds & London)

Genomics England is a global leader in enabling genomic medicine and research, focused on creating a world where everyone benefits from genomic healthcare. Building on the 100,000 Genomes Project, we support the NHS’s world-first national whole genome sequencing service and run the growing National Genomic Research Library, alongside delivering numerous major genomics initiatives. By connecting research and clinical care at national scale, we enable immediate healthcare benefits and advances for the future.

Our mission is to provide the evidence and digital systems so that by 2035 genomics could play a role in up to half of all healthcare interactions, whilst securing the UK’s position as the best place to discover, prove and benefit from genomic innovations.

We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.

Behind the Healthcare and Research outcomes, Genomics England delivers through designing, developing and operating complex healthcare software systems.

We're on the cusp of big changes with the real prospect of genomics becoming the fabric of everyday healthcare through the lifetime – from birth to old age.

We are looking to hire a Lead Genomic Data Scientist to join our Bioinformatics Consulting team at Genomics England to lead on a range of cancer genome analysis and interpretation projects in collaboration with and on behalf of our external researchers and industrial partners.   

The role of the Lead involves a harmonious blend of technical leadership and people management, with a primary focus on enhancing customized cancer genome analysis within our research environment. 

Drawing upon a robust understanding of biomedical challenges and a commitment to producing high-quality code, the Lead Genomic Data Scientist plays a direct and influential role in crafting solutions and products. These outcomes are specifically designed to cater to the distinct requirements of our researchers and industrial collaborators, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of our objectives. 

Everyday responsibilities include:  

• Proving technical and scientific leadership role in the realms of cancer genome analysis.  
• Being the main point of contact for consulting collaborations, seamlessly communicating and planning with the relevant stakeholders.
• Actively contributing to the development, implementation, and continual enhancement of best practices for genome analysis at Genomics England. 
• Spearheading end-to-end complex genomic analysis projects, involving aspects such as design, stakeholder engagement, code development, problem-solving, reaching conclusions, and documentation.  
• Conducting benchmarking exercises and enhancements for tools used in processing, analysis, and interpretation of whole genome data, encompassing alignment, variant calling, annotation, variant prioritization, interpretation, and quality control.   
• Collaborating seamlessly with internal and external stakeholders to guarantee the successful delivery of projects.  
• Employing and critically evaluating statistical genetics analysis methods to derive insights from large-scale genomic data. 
• Taking charge of managing and leading an inclusive, high-performing team, ensuring the presence of the right skills to fulfil our mission. 

Skills and Experience for Success:

• In-depth expertise in cancer genomics, understanding tumor drivers, and interpreting genomic data through targeted pathways. 
• Proficient in utilizing Python for efficient data processing and analysis.  
• Hands-on experience in developing high-quality and reusable code, with a strong command of Git and CI/CD practices.  
• The capacity to thoughtfully evaluate statistical and/or machine learning techniques, and proficiently apply them in practical scenarios while interpreting results, considering the assumptions and limitations inherent in the methods. 
• Experience in leading a cross-functional analytical team in academic or industry environment.
• Ability to create and tailor presentations to audiences of various backgrounds.

PhD degree or equivalent practical experience in an industry setting.

Salary from: £71,000

Please note the successful applicant will be required to be based at our Canary Wharf office 1 day per week. 

To apply please provide your CV and a cover letter expressing how your skills and experience aligns with the role.

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: 

• Generous Leave: 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, additional leave for long service, and the option to apply for up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required).
• Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits.
• Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%, however you can contribute more if you wish), Life Assurance (3x salary), an Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme and a Give As You Earn scheme.
• Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required).
• Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs.

Equal opportunities and our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace 

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 undermines our mission and core values and diminishes the dignity, respect and integrity of all parties. Our People policies outline our commitment to inclusivity. 

We aim to remove barriers in our recruitment processes and to be flexible with our interview processes. Should you require any adjustments that may help you to fully participate in the recruitment process, we encourage you to discuss this with us. 

Culture

We have four key behaviours that represent what we would like Genomics England to feel like and the culture we want to encourage, in order for us to achieve our mission. These behaviours help us all work well together, deliver on our outcomes, celebrate our successes and share feedback with each other. You can read about these and other aspects of our culture here Culture | Genomics England

Blended working model

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

Onboarding background checks

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.