Job summary
As a Biosample Practitioner, you will play a key role in the collection, processing, storage, shipment and tracking of biological samples from participants enrolled in clinical trials and research studies. You will work closely with research nurses, laboratory staff, couriers, external agencies and study teams to ensure the highest standards of sample integrity and regulatory compliance.Under the guidance of the Matron, you will also contribute to the overall management of sample handling areas, lead on the oversight of all sample handling equipment including freezers and fridges across the CCRC and take responsibility for writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Main duties of the job
To lead, coordinate and perform all sample-related activities within clinical trials, including study set-up, collection, processing, storage and shipment of blood and other biological samples from trial participants, while ensuring compliance with protocol requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing training to internal and external staff on proper sample handling procedures.
Providing line management for sample handling coordinators/ technicians, overseeing their daily responsibilities to ensure efficient operations and setting goals and priorities.
Liaising with couriers, external agencies, CCRC clinical staff and research teams using CCRC facilities regarding all aspects of sample collection for trials.
Coordinating environmental checks for sample handling areas.
Completing and peer reviewing study-specific documentation, such as flowsheets.
Managing the procurement and inventory of sample kits and consumables.
Under the oversight of the Matron, the role also involves:
Managing the CCRC Sample Handling Rooms (SHRs) and all equipment therein, including sample storage facilities (fridges/ freezers).
Developing, maintaining, and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sample processing, collection, and storage.
Perform study sample handling activity assessment using the NIHR study intensity tool
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.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentFor NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.This vacancy will close at midnight on 28th September 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 8th October 2025
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
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.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentFor NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.This vacancy will close at midnight on 28th September 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 8th October 2025
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
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
- Science degree or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in biological science.
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience in a laboratory or clinical research setting handling human biological samples, with particular experience in sample collection, processing, or biobanking.
- Experience working with laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, freezers, biosafety cabinets, and pipettes.
- Experience of working to Standard Operating Procedures or equivalent regulatory frameworks
- Record of developing and implementing quality management systems and processes.
- Working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Liaison with external agencies to plan and/or negotiate workload
Desirable
- Previous NHS / Healthcare employment
- Previous laboratory work
- Experience in clinical trials
- Project Management
- Experience of working in a patient facing role
Knowledge
Essential
- Safe use and maintenance of laboratory equipment e.g. centrifuges, automatic pipettes and - 80C freezers and sample processing techniques
- Use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel & Powerpoint
- Awareness of Data Protection Act and Data Confidentiality
- Able to contribute to assessing and suggesting changes to laboratory operating procedures
- Awareness of biosafety, infection control, and risk management procedures.
Desirable
- Knowledge of UK Human Tissue biobanking legislation and guidelines
- Awareness of the requirements of Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice
- Familiarity with electronic data capture systems and sample handling documentation
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Well organised with ability to multi-task and able to plan and prioritise own workload
- Accuracy in practical laboratory operations, numeracy and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Flexible and adaptable approach to meet the needs of the service.
- Willingness to undertake further training to extend skill set
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and manage time efficiently.
- Well-developed manual dexterity, particularly in the use of pipettes and other laboratory equipment.
- Demonstrable ability to be adept and precise when handling samples
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in sample handling and documentation.
- Competence in delivering training and mentoring staff
Desirable
- Phlebotomy skills
- Prior knowledge of EPIC
- Inventory management
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.
- Commitment to high quality care, putting the patient first in everything that we do, integrating clinical research with service provision.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands
Desirable
- Experience preparing for audits or inspections.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Science degree or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in biological science.
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience in a laboratory or clinical research setting handling human biological samples, with particular experience in sample collection, processing, or biobanking.
- Experience working with laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, freezers, biosafety cabinets, and pipettes.
- Experience of working to Standard Operating Procedures or equivalent regulatory frameworks
- Record of developing and implementing quality management systems and processes.
- Working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Liaison with external agencies to plan and/or negotiate workload
Desirable
- Previous NHS / Healthcare employment
- Previous laboratory work
- Experience in clinical trials
- Project Management
- Experience of working in a patient facing role
Knowledge
Essential
- Safe use and maintenance of laboratory equipment e.g. centrifuges, automatic pipettes and - 80C freezers and sample processing techniques
- Use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel & Powerpoint
- Awareness of Data Protection Act and Data Confidentiality
- Able to contribute to assessing and suggesting changes to laboratory operating procedures
- Awareness of biosafety, infection control, and risk management procedures.
Desirable
- Knowledge of UK Human Tissue biobanking legislation and guidelines
- Awareness of the requirements of Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice
- Familiarity with electronic data capture systems and sample handling documentation
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Well organised with ability to multi-task and able to plan and prioritise own workload
- Accuracy in practical laboratory operations, numeracy and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Flexible and adaptable approach to meet the needs of the service.
- Willingness to undertake further training to extend skill set
- Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and manage time efficiently.
- Well-developed manual dexterity, particularly in the use of pipettes and other laboratory equipment.
- Demonstrable ability to be adept and precise when handling samples
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in sample handling and documentation.
- Competence in delivering training and mentoring staff
Desirable
- Phlebotomy skills
- Prior knowledge of EPIC
- Inventory management
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.
- Commitment to high quality care, putting the patient first in everything that we do, integrating clinical research with service provision.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands
Desirable
- Experience preparing for audits or inspections.
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division R&D
Cambridge Clinical Research Centre, Keith Day Road
Cambridge
CB2 0SL
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)