Research Healthcare Scientist (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake the analytical validation and clinical evaluation of new In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDs).

To provide training and advice to other members of the group as appropriate and potentially contribute to collaborative initiatives with other groups.

You will be part of a team supporting the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) AMR and Infection theme You will work within the Healthcare Associated Infections Research Group, which houses both LTHT and UoL researchers. As a Research Healthcare Scientist you will be responsible to the Principal Clinical Scientist and will primarily focus on evaluating the analytical and clinical performance of In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices with potential benefits to patients and the NHS. You may also be required to contribute to other projects by providing technical and theoretical support.

In order to carry out the requirements of the post you will have had extensive experience of the analysis of clinical samples and assay validation. You will have gained qualifications at least to good degree level and will have a good knowledge of assay validation, and quality control procedures. You will have developed a range of laboratory-based competencies and skills through extensive practical experience.

Management

To be responsible for the management of research activities as directed by the Principal Clinical Scientist eg. supervision of visiting researchers, stock control, H&S etc;

To be responsible for the development and maintenance of policies and protocols as directed by the Principal Clinical Scientist, ensuring these are implemented within the work area;

To attend and contribute to Group meetings related to management, research activity and policy development;

Be responsible for managing projects in own area of work against agreed objectives/timelines and for incorporating future planning;

Encourage and promote good working practices within the team and within the Institute;

Ensure that Health and Safety standards are maintained and contribute to the production of SOPs, RAs and COSHH assessments;

To be responsible for other more junior staff working within your area of responsibility.

Scientific

To take responsibility for the planning, delivery and reporting of laboratory studies evaluating the analytical and clinical validity of IVDs under the directorship of the Principal Clinical Scientist and to maintain full awareness of their reactions, limitations and causes of interference or error;

Use initiative and knowledge to solve anticipated and unexpected technical problems;

To maintain an up to date and expert scientific and clinical knowledge and to contribute to the knowledge of colleagues;

To support the Principal Clinical Scientist in the evaluation of literature on relevant biomarkers and contribute to decision-making on which markers to investigate using both theoretical and technical knowledge of each marker;

Develop methods and techniques applicable to own work and for widespread dissemination, providing advice to others and contributing to decisions, for example regarding the most appropriate technical approach or equipment;

Analyse and interpret own data and be able to integrate this with other sources of data to influence decisions about project directions and planning;

Communicate and/or present research results within the research group and also externally to other local groups or external collaborators;

Write up results of own research and contribute to the production of research reports and publications for the wider team;

Work collaboratively with others within the group and other research teams as appropriate;

Communicate proactively to establish good working relationships, raising issues and dealing with problems relating to the projects being undertaken;

Be able to provide clear explanations about the specialised techniques used to other users or people from other backgrounds and to be able to generate clear SOPs to ensure standardised implementation of methods.

Health and Safety/Risk Management

This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system;

To ensure these policies are followed;

To conduct investigations and make reports on both Health and Safety incidents and clinical incidents;

To ensure that safe and satisfactory outcomes are achieved following reported incidents and that staff learn from discussion of the incidents;

When working in a University of Leeds building, you must comply with University of Leeds rules on H&S and health surveillance.

Person Specification

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Good knowledge of assay validation, and quality control procedures
• Experience of validating IVD assays (e.g. ELISA PCR) and interpreting the data generated
• Good writing skills with experience of writing laboratory reports, papers or other documents such as SOPs
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating an ability to establish excellent working relationships
• Able to act within team or on own
• Ability to organise own work and to meet deadlines
• Highly motivated
• Committed to quality
• Committed to Health and Safety
• Well organised and methodical

Qualifications

Essential

• Good degree in relevant science
• HCPC registration as a Biomedical or Clinical Scientist

Experience

Essential

• General laboratory procedures
• Computer literate

Desirable

• Experience of working in a GxP environment to good practice quality guidelines
• Familiarity with computer packages for data analysis
• Trained in GCP

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Ability to perform skilled manual tasks
• Ability to operate specialist equipment associated with e.g. ELISA development
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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