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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, for example, 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 cancer genomics initiatives across Scotland, including 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 the genomics innovation partnership with NHSGGC.

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 cancer and medical genomics within the University and through networking with national and international bodies.

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 School of Cancer Sciences (SCS) strategic objectives.

2. Lead the development of a communications strategy for cancer genomics, including representations in media interviews and other publicity, developing communications and raising the profile of e.g., 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.

5. Collaborate on funding applications from PIs requiring the specialist services provided by GPOL, participate in identification of funding opportunities and make specialized expert contributions to major funding bids. Identify and implement opportunities to consolidate and streamline specialized services.

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 genomics initiatives, including 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 related inspections.

8. Regular review of e.g., 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 and other genomics innotations, 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, cancer genomics and collaborative projects.

11. Coordinate operations in the development of diagnostic assays for use in clinical trials and routine healthcare with NHS partners to gain relevant accreditation for existing methods and provide leadership in transferring new methods into accredited routine use.

12. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

13. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Director of Institute.

14. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 or equivalent in related discipline with an extensive and established reputation within the discipline/subject area.

A2. Expert knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of cancer genomics, next generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics.

A3. Membership of a relevant professional body.

C1. Proven experience of developing and delivering a strategic vision enhancing service delivery to various stakeholders

C2. Demonstrable experience of developing cutting edge techniques or solutions that enhance knowledge.

C3. National or international reputation of specialist field as demonstrated by indicators of esteem

C4. Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the cancer genomics field.

C5. Proven ability to lead wet-lab and bioinformatics teams, including knowledge of software development.

Advanced knowledge of establishment and management of an (ISO, or equivalent) accredited medical genomics/diagnostics service (including GCP/GCLP, ISO/IEC 17025/15189/13485).

At least one of the following;

i. Significant experience with advanced analytical instrumentation, including library preparation and next generation sequencing workflows.

ii. Substantial experience of developing new methods of analysis, including software development.

iii. Strong IT skills, with the ability to assess and interpret analytical data in conjunction with strong bioinformatics skills, including knowledge of at least one coding language plus ability to utilize Linux/Unix command-line manipulation.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels within the Subject, Institute, College, University, and beyond, in the academic and practitioner communities.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collegiality and collaborative working.

Proven ability to foster research collaborations with colleagues in other disciplines, Institutes, Colleges and Universities as appropriate.

Proven project, people and budget management skills.

Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.