Job Description

The Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Technical Lead role is involved in the implementation and maintenance of a new regulatory LIMS system at Porton Down. At present, the project is in discovery phase, and we are looking for candidates to take the project from project to business as usual alongside the Senior Project Manager. The post will initially be involved in the requirement gathering design and then implementation of the software. This exciting role will continue to be fulfilled with support requirements and ongoing requests for LIMS configuration.



The post would suit someone who has previously been involved in LIMS delivery and who has previous experience in administration or configuration of LIMS software. The post holder will play a key role in the project to implement the LIMS within the clinical evaluation team (CET). The postholder will also be expected to configure additional LIMS workflows, troubleshoot and to provide training and ongoing support to users. The post holder will need excellent communication skills and meticulous attention to detail. The post holder will show initiative and strong documentation and organisation skills. Experience of working in a regulated environment is essential although full training will be given in line with local requirements.



The post holder will be working alongside the project manager and computer systems validation lead to deliver the LIMS.



To play a key role in the configuration, implementation, and management of a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). The LIMS will support the team responsible for providing the delivery of immunological assays within the Clinical Evaluation Team, on UK Government Covid Vaccine Unit (CVU) and commercially funded projects, concerned with testing of clinical trial samples for various vaccine developers.



The LIMS technical lead will play a key role in the project team to implement and support the validation of a LIMS to support a large, high throughput laboratory operation which is compliant with Good Clinical Practice (GCP). The post holder will be required to communicate across several teams and with external stakeholders and the LIMS vendor. The postholder will be a key contact point between the LIMS vendor and the UKHSA LIMS project team and will be required to present regular updates to relevant parties and help co-ordinate the stages of the LIMS development.



We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.



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.



Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Maintenance and Delivery of a High-Quality LIMS:

Assist the Senior Project Team Leader in the development, validation and maintenance of the LIMS and associated workflows for the different laboratory activities as required including some programming capabilities.



Work with colleagues in computer systems validation (CSV) and Quality Assurance (QA) to ensure LIMS Is implemented and maintained in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP)



Liaise with UKHSA technology colleagues, management, and local site administrators to ensure infrastructure and network is working appropriately and LIMS remains available to users.



Carry out management and maintenance tasks as recommended by LIMS provider and Internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to maintain system integrity.



Validate, triage, manage and resolve issues reported by system users.



Act as point of contact between external support organisations and internal support personnel ensuring appropriate action is taken to resolve issues in a timely fashion.



Assist in laboratory IT support for the diverse instrumentation employed in the laboratories. Support the integration of such instrumentation with the LIMS



Maintain communication with internal users and stakeholders to ensure appropriate decisions are made with regards to business continuity.



Support the Development and Enhancement of LIMS Systems and Services.



Support the development and enhancement of LIMS systems and services, liaise with stakeholders to gather requirements, and work to develop and test enhancements and work alongside current support staff to train users as appropriate on new developments and enhancements.



Lead members of the project team or project area to identify, evaluate and adapt new IT technologies, where appropriate, and to ensure that the project operates to a high standard using current methods.

Provision of Management Information and Reporting:

Collaborate and communicate with colleagues across LIMS team and wider Data Operations to share information, resources, and support. Seek feedback on the LIMS performance through communication with LIMS' internal laboratory users; using feedback to improve performance.



Assist with data provision, quality checking and cleansing, ensuring data is accurately and correctly reproduced between systems and processes for correct interpretation.



Act as subject matter expert (SME) for LIMS during audits, ensuring the audit readiness of the following: qualification documentation, user lists and privileges, and procedures



Apply the tools and techniques for data analysis, data visualisation and presentation working with the organisation's data architecture.

System Documentation and Training



Provide reports through collation of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets and maintain productive, professional, and secure working environment.



Take responsibility for the documentation of laboratory IT processes and procedures to comply with the requirements of Good Clinical Practice, review LIMS system documentation and standard operating procedures regularly and amending based on changes to functionality or in line with new developments or system upgrades.



Assist in the supervision and training of staff, provide training on all aspects of the daily use of LIMS and associated IT laboratory systems as required.



Quality, Regulatory and Other Requirements



To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.



Attend UKHSA management meetings and report on the status of LIMS systems and services as required.



Interpret and apply the organisation's data and information security standards, policies, and procedures to data management activities, using knowledge of data protection and legal issues, and data life cycle.



To ensure that undertakes work in accordance with UKHSA's Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.



To maintain health and safety competence.



To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.



To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.



Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.



Essential Criteria



Educated to degree level in a biological science subject or Information Technology; or equivalent level qualification / significant experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area



Experience in troubleshooting software and hardware problems and triaging to relevant support colleagues as appropriate



Experience of working with laboratory Information management systems (or similar IT systems) and instrumentation.



Capability of working with, effective communication and training across personnel and teams of different IT and scientific capabilities (e.g., IT naive staff to high level data scientists).



Team worker with the ability to prioritise, understand and communicate sensitive information with stakeholders at all levels



Proactively manage risks and identify solutions. Make clear, practical and manageable plans for service delivery, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory and security requirements



Selection Process Details



This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 6 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of:



an application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



a 1000 word Statement of Suitability.



This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.



The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.



Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:



Meets all essential criteria



Meets some essential criteria



Meets no essential criteria



Please note only those applications meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



Experience in troubleshooting software and hardware problems and triaging to relevant support colleagues as appropriate



Experience of working with laboratory Information management systems (or similar IT systems) and instrumentation.



Capability of working with, effective communication and training across personnel and teams of different IT and scientific capabilities (e.g., IT naive staff to high level data scientists).



If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.



Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Interview (success profiles)



You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.



Behaviours, technical skills and experience will be tested at interview.



The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be



Making Effective Decisions



Communicating and Influencing



Working Together



Managing a Quality Service



Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.



Location



This role is being offered as either home-based, or hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ's or scientific campus sites. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ's (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton).



Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).



Please note, the successful candidate will be required to travel to Porton Down as required.



Eligibility Criteria



Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check clearance.



For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.