Laboratory Information Management System Specialist

Job summary

We are looking to recruit an experienced Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) specialist to assist in development and delivery of a new semi-automated, high throughput PCR testing facility at our Porton Down scientific campus.

Successful applicants will join a new team, Amplify, within the Diagnostic and Pathogen Characterisation Division and work alongside colleagues in the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory and Diagnostics Development and Implementation team. You will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the facility’s LIMS and IT systems and processes to ensure the facility has capacity for high throughput testing and meets ISO 15189 accreditation standards, but develop flexibility to function for other projects and processes. The Post Holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project area, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience and expertise to ensure the service is has the capacity and capability to respond to business requirements. This will include working across the division to ensure compatibility and integration with systems used by the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory and support of research and training activities in support of wider organisational priorities. Ensure the LIMS supports accurate, compliant, and efficient diagnostic workflows while meeting regulatory, quality, and data governance requirements.

Job description

• Oversee planning, implementation, configuration, validation, maintenance and operation of laboratory IT (LIMS, networks, platforms)
• Act as primary contact for LIMS, IT, quality and clinical teams; provide expert user support, training, and liaise with vendors/partners
• Collaborate with Scientific and Operational Leads, Laboratory, Quality, Genomics and wider LIMS teams to ensure seamless integration of systems
• Support procurement of LIMS/IT solutions with commercial and procurement colleagues
• Align systems with organisational data strategies; ensure compliance with UKHSA cyber, information governance and privacy policies
• Work with Surge Response Service to support pandemic preparedness capabilities
• Integrate LIMS into sample receipt, tracking, workflows, reporting, billing and surveillance
• Ensure systems meet research, diagnostic and training needs, and all regulatory, clinical, safety and data security requirements
• Identify and implement IT improvements and innovations in line with policy and standards
• Monitor and maintain LIMS and IT systems to ensure operational readiness and testing capacity
• Ensure systems remain responsive, flexible and fit for diagnostics, preparedness, surveillance and research
• Coordinate networked lab instrumentation with cyber/ICT teams; contribute to contract management
• Maintain resilience and compliance through change control, documentation, risk management and audits
• Track and report KPIs and system performance metrics

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Post Holder will:

• Support UKHSA’s role as a Category 1 responder by enabling rapid scale-up of diagnostic laboratory capacity during emerging public health threats.
• Contribute to the development of a standby, semi-automated high-throughput PCR testing facility at Porton Down.
• Lead the implementation and optimisation of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and associated IT infrastructure.
• Work within the Amplify team in the Diagnostic and Pathogen Characterisation Division, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including Rare and Imported Pathogens
  Laboratory and Diagnostics Development.
• Ensure systems are flexible, scalable, and compliant with ISO 15189 and relevant regulatory standards.
• Provide technical expertise to ensure systems meet operational, diagnostic, research, and pandemic preparedness needs.
• Support integration of laboratory systems across the organisation to enhance interoperability and response capability.
• Maintain a high level of adaptability, communication, and stakeholder engagement in a dynamic project environment.
• Lead the planning, implementation, configuration, validation, and maintenance of LIMS and laboratory IT systems.
• Act as the primary LIMS subject matter expert, providing user support, training, and vendor liaison.
• Ensure seamless integration of LIMS with laboratory workflows, including sample tracking, reporting, and surveillance.
• Collaborate with scientific, operational, quality, genomics, and IT teams to align systems and processes.
• Support procurement and deployment of LIMS/IT solutions with commercial and procurement teams.
• Ensure compliance with ISO 15189, data governance, cyber security, and UKHSA policies.
• Work with the Surge Response Service to support pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.
• Maintain system readiness to support high-throughput testing capacity and operational resilience.
• Identify and implement system improvements and innovations aligned with organisational standards.
• Coordinate with ICT and cyber teams to manage networked laboratory instrumentation and infrastructure.
• Maintain documentation, change control processes, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Monitor system performance, track KPIs, and report on operational effectiveness.
• Ensure systems remain adaptable for diagnostics, research, training, and surveillance activities.
• Comply with all UKHSA policies, values and procedures and the Civil Service Code.
• Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
• Have strong communication skills, with both technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Be resilient and able to work at pace to ensure delivery of a highly responsive diagnostic service
• Participate and/or support for out of hours testing capability when required.
• Have a high attention to detail with strong commitment to quality and competence.
• Be adaptable to changing workflow scenarios in a regulated environment.
• Undertake performance management against business plan objectives and in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures.
• Supervise staff and work closely and effectively in a team to deliver objectives.
• Maintain an understanding of Clinical diagnostic testing procedures.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in Biological Science (e.g. microbiology, virology) or Computing and Information Technology (e.g. computer science with artificial intelligence, computing and information technology).
• MSc or PhD in biological or clinical sciences and/or computing, data or informatics or relevant experience (e.g. IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Laboratory IT and Clinical Informatics).
• Significant experience of implementing and managing LIMS and laboratory networking in an ISO-accredited laboratory, including data management, data monitoring, sample tracking and automated testing pathways.
• Proactive, organised and capable of working independently and with teams.
• Demonstratable experience and understanding of regulatory compliance (e.g. ISO 15189, GDPR) and cybersecurity protocols.
• Experience of procurement procedures, including writing technical specifications.
• Experience in leading and/or managing projects ensuring delivery of organisational and departmental goals, with the ability to prioritise and organise own workload and of those of others often working to tight deadlines.

Desirable criteria:

• Technical knowledge and experience in developing and implementing LIMS for automated, h