University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Senior Clinical Scientist

The closing date is 21 October 2025

Job summary

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a motivated Clinical Scientist to join the Immunology team at University Hospitals Plymouth. Applications are invited from HCPC-registered Clinical Scientists (Band 7). Suitable trainees who expect to achieve registration within 6 months will also be considered and may be appointed at Band 6, with automatic progression to Band 7 upon registration.

You will be joining a dynamic, supportive team of experienced clinicians and clinical scientists who are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused diagnostic immunology services. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise while contributing to the continued growth and innovation of Immunology services across the Peninsula.

We are seeking an enthusiastic scientist with a strong commitment to service improvement, collaboration, and the delivery ofnovel diagnostic platforms and approaches to benefit patients throughout the region.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The Immunology Laboratory at University Hospitals Plymouth provides diagnostic testing and a clinical advisory service to specialist services within the Trust and across the wider South West Peninsula. Working closely with the Principal Clinical Scientist, and the Clinical Immunology team, you will:

  • Support the day-to-day delivery of our clinical consultative and laboratory Immunology service

  • Provide interpretation of results and clinical advice to primary and secondary care

  • Contribute to training, competency assessments, and staff development

  • Help repatriate send-away tests to improve quality and reduce costs

  • Take part in MDTs, teaching, and close collaboration with clinical colleagues to support patient care

  • Support the development of both routine and specialist Immunology services

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-SF-C7463824

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

A full description of the role and its responsibilities is provided in the attached Job Description document.

Job description

Job responsibilities

A full description of the role and its responsibilities is provided in the attached Job Description document.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • oThorough proven knowledge of human Immunology.
  • oComputer literate and familiar with modern software packages
  • oAppropriate proven knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods and quality assurance.
  • oProven Basic knowledge of managerial processes and structures within the NHS.
  • oProven Knowledge of the principals and application of Clinical Governance and Clinical Audit

Desirable

  • oProven Evidence of achievement in research and development eg. publications, presentations at meetings
  • oProven leadership skills

Qualifications

Essential

  • Possession of, or evidence of working towards and within 6 months of achieving, healthcare professions council (HCPC) registration as a Clinical Scientist
  • oHonours degree in a relevant science subject.

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

  • oDeveloped analytical (technical) skills in general and specialist areas
  • oTo advise medical and nursing staff on the investigation and interpretation immunological tests
  • oGood communications skills, both written and verbal

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

  • oTo work as part of a team and, under supervision, a team leader
  • oGood hand-eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of delicate instrumentation
  • oTime management and prioritisation of work in a high workload environment

Other Factors

Essential

  • oFlexible
  • oRequired to use VDU for protracted periods and short periods of light effort
  • oRequired to work in an area of biological risk, frequently exposed to both biological and chemical hazards, contact with body fluids and faecal material
Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • oThorough proven knowledge of human Immunology.
  • oComputer literate and familiar with modern software packages
  • oAppropriate proven knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods and quality assurance.
  • oProven Basic knowledge of managerial processes and structures within the NHS.
  • oProven Knowledge of the principals and application of Clinical Governance and Clinical Audit

Desirable

  • oProven Evidence of achievement in research and development eg. publications, presentations at meetings
  • oProven leadership skills

Qualifications

Essential

  • Possession of, or evidence of working towards and within 6 months of achieving, healthcare professions council (HCPC) registration as a Clinical Scientist
  • oHonours degree in a relevant science subject.

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

Essential

  • oDeveloped analytical (technical) skills in general and specialist areas
  • oTo advise medical and nursing staff on the investigation and interpretation immunological tests
  • oGood communications skills, both written and verbal

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

Essential

  • oTo work as part of a team and, under supervision, a team leader
  • oGood hand-eye co-ordination for fine manipulation of delicate instrumentation
  • oTime management and prioritisation of work in a high workload environment

Other Factors

Essential

  • oFlexible
  • oRequired to use VDU for protracted periods and short periods of light effort
  • oRequired to work in an area of biological risk, frequently exposed to both biological and chemical hazards, contact with body fluids and faecal material

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Clinical Scientist

James Walton

james.walton5@nhs.net

01752438139

Details

Date posted

07 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-SF-C7463824

Job locations

Derriford Hospital

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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