Clinical Bioinformatics STP: Role, Training and Interview Guide

Independent guidance. PathologyLabTraining is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS or NSHCS. Competition ratios and details change every year, so always check the current information at nshcs.hee.nhs.uk.

Clinical bioinformatics, most commonly the genomics pathway, sits within the Informatics division of the NHS Scientist Training Programme. It suits people who enjoy programming and data analysis and want to apply those skills to genetics and patient care. This guide explains the role, the training, and how to prepare.

What a clinical scientist in clinical bioinformatics does

Healthcare scientists in clinical bioinformatics genomics apply bioinformatics resources, such as databases and online tools, to problems in genetics and genomics, using skills in programming and data analysis. A central part of the role is providing bioinformatics support so that data received and generated by the laboratory is handled in an efficient, standardised, secure, and accurate way, using leading edge technologies and adhering to information governance standards.

You work as part of a multidisciplinary team that can include clinical scientists, doctors specialising in genetics, specialist nurses, genetic counsellors, IT teams, and external providers of software or databases. The work blends computing skill with clinical understanding, since the pipelines and analyses you build feed directly into diagnosis and patient management.

What the STP covers in clinical bioinformatics

The STP is a full time, three year programme that integrates work based learning with a part time master's degree in clinical science, and you are employed by an NHS trust throughout. The master's is made up of academic learning credits, with a substantial portion devoted to research.

Training develops programming, data analysis, and pipeline skills alongside the genomics knowledge needed to interpret and support laboratory data safely. You also learn the professional and governance skills expected of a clinical scientist. Beyond the STP, a further Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme exists for those aiming at consultant level roles.

What interviewers look for and how to prepare

Interviewers look for genuine technical ability paired with an understanding of why it matters clinically. Be ready to discuss any programming or data analysis experience you have, and to explain how bioinformatics supports genomic diagnosis. You do not need to be an expert in every tool, but you should show aptitude and a willingness to learn.

Demonstrate that you understand information governance, data security, and teamwork, since the role sits at the meeting point of laboratory science and IT. Have examples ready that show problem solving and clear communication of technical ideas. Reading around developments in genomics and the wider role of informatics in the NHS will strengthen your answers.

Competition for STP posts varies year to year and by specialism, so check the current information on the NSHCS website rather than relying on older figures.

Next steps

Begin with our STP preparation hub, and try the specialism chooser if you are weighing informatics against other routes. Rehearse with the interview simulator, and read our NHS STP guide for context on the programme as a whole.