Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician; Data Analysis

Job Description

Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician (Data Analysis) (full‑time, permanent) – South Mimms, Hertfordshire

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates medicines and medical devices in the UK. The Science and Research group delivers world‑leading research and innovation, spanning six sub‑groups including Research and Development, where this role will be based.

Deliver advanced bioinformatics expertise to regulatory science research projects. Design, build and run reproducible NGS data analysis pipelines for genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, microbiome profiling and single‑cell analysis. Support regulatory science, standards development and control testing.

• Lead the design, development and delivery of scalable bioinformatics pipelines (e.g. Nextflow, Python, R) for large‑scale NGS datasets.
• Manage cloud‑based bioinformatics infrastructure (e.g. Google Cloud Platform) ensuring scalability, reproducibility, data governance and compliance with MHRA quality systems (ISO).
• Perform quality control, statistical analysis and biological interpretation of diverse NGS modalities, collaborating with SR&I and wider MHRA teams.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and laboratory scientists, contribute to publications and grant proposals, and integrate emerging technologies into core facility operations.

Extensive experience delivering large‑scale bioinformatics analysis using cloud computing environments.

• Proficiency in Bash, Python, R and workflow languages such as Nextflow.
• Experience with Linux, Git Hub, Docker, Singularity and version control.
• Strong project‑management skills, documentation and communication of bioinformatics results.
• Proven ability to lead analytical components of complex, multi‑stakeholder projects.

• MSc (or equivalent) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or related discipline.
• Deep understanding of NGS data formats, bioinformatics tools and QC processes.
• Proficiency with version control, collaborative coding platforms, containerisation and cloud computing.
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex genomic data to diverse audiences.

• Managing a Quality Service (Application, Interview)
• Making Effective Decisions (Application, Interview)
• Developing Self and Others (Application, Interview)
• Proven experience in high‑impact bioinformatics analyses across NGS applications (Application, Interview, Presentation)
• Proficiency in developing and managing Nextflow workflows and scripting in Python, R or Perl (Application, Interview, Presentation, Test)
• Extensive experience with cloud computing and Unix/Linux environments (Application, Interview, Presentation, Test)

• Online application – questions based on Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles.
• Test – details provided upon progression.
• Presentation – to be prepared as part of the interview.
• Interview – questions on Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

Competitors must meet UK immigration requirements and Civil Service nationality rules. Successful candidates must pass disclosure and barring checks, animal‑rights checks and may be subject to an internal fraud database check.

COVID‑19 flexible hybrid working – minimum 8 days on‑site per month, up to 12 days depending on role; remote work possible at senior management discretion. Certain roles may require vaccinations and health surveillance.

Closing date: 9 February. Shortlisting from 16 February. Interviews from 2 March. For assistance or questions, contact