Job summary
A Band 8a Senior Clinical Scientist position is available at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT in the Immunology laboratory. The role is open to HCPC-registered Clinical Scientists with FIBMS, PhD, or an Immunology MSc, along with experience in laboratory Immunology. The lab, one of the largest in the UK, offers a broad Immunology service, including autoimmune serology, allergy, immunochemistry, cellular immunology, and Immunodeficiency.
In this leadership position, you'll be involved in analytical, interpretative, and teaching activities, helping to improve processes and develop new services. You'll collaborate with clinical teams to interpret complex diagnostic results and contribute to patient care. Leadership, organizational, and communication skills are essential, along with significant experience in Immunology and knowledge of current NHS Pathology and management issues.
Training and development opportunities are provided including provision for the right candidate to be supported on HSST. Applicants who don't meet essential criteria are encouraged to apply, with potential progression from Band 7 to Band 8a upon completing certain qualifications.
Main duties of the job
To practice as a Senior Clinical Scientist. Demonstrating expertise in the diagnosis and monitoring of Immunological disorders.
To Lead within the Proteins and Autoimmune sections of the Immunology Department. This will include dealing with Consultant clinical referrals from regional hospitals for specified and unspecified specialist tests to be performed as deemed necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis.
This post involves responsibility for staff supervision, forming part of the management team, and representing the department as required.
To devise, contribute and follow departmental policies and procedures.
Perform, according to departmental operating procedures, laboratory tests, data analysis, reporting and communication of results. Discussion of complex analytical data with Senior Scientists, Specialist Registrars and Consultants is expected.
This post involves a responsibility for organisation and delivery of training and supervision within the Department, especially STPs.
Responsible for review of methodologies, tests and services; develop and introduce new ones to keep the department at the forefront of diagnostic capability for Immunology.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 6th July 2025
Interviews are due to be held week commencing 21st July 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 6th July 2025
Interviews are due to be held week commencing 21st July 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Clinical Scientist Registration or STP trainee nearing completion of training programme
- Postgraduate Master's Degree or equivalent in a relevant area
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Part 1 Examination for Membership of Royal College of Pathologists (as required for medical staff) or equivalent level of detailed and extensive knowledge
- PhD
- Formal leadership and/or management qualification.
Experience
Essential
- To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas of Immunology with extensive practical experience
- Supervision and training of staff
Desirable
- Relevant scientific publications
Knowledge
Essential
- To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving
- Fully conversant with Health and Safety and COSHH regulations in laboratories
- To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within the Trust and the NHS
- Good awareness of Trust Policies and Procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department
- Experience of leadership of small groups
- Involvement in service planning and development
- Knowledge and demonstrable experience of quality management and accreditation systems
- Experience of IT systems used within Pathology (including LIMS)
- Able to perform risk assessments on a variety of laboratory situations
Desirable
- Procurement process
- Equipment evaluation
- HR and employment procedures
- Risk management
- Experience of membership of departmental committees
- Budgets
Skills
Essential
- Good communication
- Specialised investigations specific for post
- Leadership
- Ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
- Show attention to detail
- Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and precision
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
- Presentation skills
- Able to work both in a team and as an individual
- Staff appraisal
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Ability to concentrate for long periods
- Ability to organise staff
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Skills to undertake a range of Immunology investigations
- Manual dexterity
Desirable
- To have sound basic knowledge in other areas of Pathology.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent
Desirable
- Appropriate membership of professional bodies
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Clinical Scientist Registration or STP trainee nearing completion of training programme
- Postgraduate Master's Degree or equivalent in a relevant area
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Part 1 Examination for Membership of Royal College of Pathologists (as required for medical staff) or equivalent level of detailed and extensive knowledge
- PhD
- Formal leadership and/or management qualification.
Experience
Essential
- To have developed an expertise in one or more specialised analytical or clinical areas of Immunology with extensive practical experience
- Supervision and training of staff
Desirable
- Relevant scientific publications
Knowledge
Essential
- To have an extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving
- Fully conversant with Health and Safety and COSHH regulations in laboratories
- To have a good knowledge of managerial processes within the Trust and the NHS
- Good awareness of Trust Policies and Procedures and how they relate to the staff and service of the department
- Experience of leadership of small groups
- Involvement in service planning and development
- Knowledge and demonstrable experience of quality management and accreditation systems
- Experience of IT systems used within Pathology (including LIMS)
- Able to perform risk assessments on a variety of laboratory situations
Desirable
- Procurement process
- Equipment evaluation
- HR and employment procedures
- Risk management
- Experience of membership of departmental committees
- Budgets
Skills
Essential
- Good communication
- Specialised investigations specific for post
- Leadership
- Ability to work in an organised manner and to high standards
- Show attention to detail
- Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and precision
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot
- Presentation skills
- Able to work both in a team and as an individual
- Staff appraisal
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Ability to concentrate for long periods
- Ability to organise staff
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Skills to undertake a range of Immunology investigations
- Manual dexterity
Desirable
- To have sound basic knowledge in other areas of Pathology.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent
Desirable
- Appropriate membership of professional bodies
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).