Job summary
Are you an experienced in laboratory diagnostics with a passion for automation and continuous improvement?
Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL), part of the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SWGLH), is seeking a motivated and innovative Laboratory Automation Specialist to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of genomic diagnostics through automation.
About the role:
You will lead the development, validation, and implementation of new automated workflows across our laboratory. This hybrid role will see you collaborating closely with our Technical Teams, Quality Improvement Lead, and Informatics Team to drive efficiency and innovation.
About us:
BGL is a large, well-equipped, and friendly laboratory that provides centralised genomic testing for cancer and rare diseases across the South West. We are proud to be part of the SWGLH, delivering high-quality, patient-focused genomic services.
Our laboratory works 08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Saturday and the successful candidate will be expected to work 37.5 hours a week full time and participate in our rotas for Saturdays and Bank holidays as appropriate.
What we offer:
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Involvement in innovative projects at the forefront of genomic medicine.
Want to learn more about Pathology at North Bristol NHS Trust?
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Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, validate, and implement automated laboratory processes.
- Collaborate across departments to integrate automation into existing workflows.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery.
- Contribute to training and upskilling of staff in automated systems.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust is one of the largest healthcare trusts in the South West of England. We provide hospital and community healthcare to people living in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
NBTCARES. It's a very simple statement; one which epitomises how everybody across our organisation goes the extra mile to ensure our patients get the best possible care.
Caring - because it underpins everything we do for our patients and the way we care for one another.
Ambitious - because it signals that we always want to improve what we do on behalf of our patients and one another
Respectful - because every individual has an important role to play
Supportive - because we're a team and deliver together
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Staff benefits include access to on-site, tax-free childcare through the Childcare Salary Sacrifice Scheme, an excellent package of pension benefits through the NHS Pension Scheme and teams dedicated to providing our staff with physical, psychological and financial support. For our complete list of staff benefits please visitour website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to attached job description for full details.
Automation/LIMs development:
Lead the implementation and validation of new automation technologies and their integration with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Collaborate with Quality Improvement, Informatics and Bioinformatics teams to develop workflows, design system interfaces, and link data flows between lab equipment and LIMS.
Communication:
Act as a key communicator across departments, external labs, and suppliers, translating complex projects into clear, accessible formats for diverse audiences. Present project updates internally and externally, manage supplier communications, and visually convey data and workflows to support procurement and operational decisions.
Laboratory:
Provide technical support for sample processing, data management, and equipment use in accordance with laboratory protocols. Ensure smooth operation of diagnostic techniques, troubleshoot issues, support R&D projects, and contribute to equipment procurement processes.
Quality:
Support departmental quality systems by contributing to ISO15189 compliance, risk management, audits, and quality control procedures. Assist in the development and maintenance of SOPs and ensure all work aligns with the laboratorys quality manual and standards
Professional:
Demonstrate ongoing professional development through CPD, training, and active participation in appraisals and team collaboration. Take responsibility for personal performance and, where required, line manage others, showing initiative, flexibility, and resilience in a dynamic work environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to attached job description for full details.
Automation/LIMs development:
Lead the implementation and validation of new automation technologies and their integration with the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Collaborate with Quality Improvement, Informatics and Bioinformatics teams to develop workflows, design system interfaces, and link data flows between lab equipment and LIMS.
Communication:
Act as a key communicator across departments, external labs, and suppliers, translating complex projects into clear, accessible formats for diverse audiences. Present project updates internally and externally, manage supplier communications, and visually convey data and workflows to support procurement and operational decisions.
Laboratory:
Provide technical support for sample processing, data management, and equipment use in accordance with laboratory protocols. Ensure smooth operation of diagnostic techniques, troubleshoot issues, support R&D projects, and contribute to equipment procurement processes.
Quality:
Support departmental quality systems by contributing to ISO15189 compliance, risk management, audits, and quality control procedures. Assist in the development and maintenance of SOPs and ensure all work aligns with the laboratorys quality manual and standards
Professional:
Demonstrate ongoing professional development through CPD, training, and active participation in appraisals and team collaboration. Take responsibility for personal performance and, where required, line manage others, showing initiative, flexibility, and resilience in a dynamic work environment.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- BSc degree in relevant scientific/computer science subject (1st or 2nd class)
Desirable
- Educated to Higher degree (MSc, MPhil, or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline
- Registered or enrolled with appropriate regulatory body
- Management knowledge- training/experience
- Relevant QI training or experience
Work Experience
Essential
- Experience of lab work- practical techniques and use of automated equipment
- Experience training/supervising/mentoring people
- Experience delivering QI projects with demonstrable outcomes
Desirable
- Previous experience of work in NHS
- Project management experience
Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Understanding lab environment and clinical application
- Significant, proven experience of laboratory automation
- Experience of lab IT systems
- IT skills- software, web based applications etc
- Data analysis/interpretation/presentation- visio, P.BI
Desirable
- Education/knowledge of genetics
- Knowledge/experience of NGS
- Knowledge/experience of automation and liquid handling robotics
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Team working
- Demonstrate innovation, leadership and change implementation
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- BSc degree in relevant scientific/computer science subject (1st or 2nd class)
Desirable
- Educated to Higher degree (MSc, MPhil, or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline
- Registered or enrolled with appropriate regulatory body
- Management knowledge- training/experience
- Relevant QI training or experience
Work Experience
Essential
- Experience of lab work- practical techniques and use of automated equipment
- Experience training/supervising/mentoring people
- Experience delivering QI projects with demonstrable outcomes
Desirable
- Previous experience of work in NHS
- Project management experience
Knowledge Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Understanding lab environment and clinical application
- Significant, proven experience of laboratory automation
- Experience of lab IT systems
- IT skills- software, web based applications etc
- Data analysis/interpretation/presentation- visio, P.BI
Desirable
- Education/knowledge of genetics
- Knowledge/experience of NGS
- Knowledge/experience of automation and liquid handling robotics
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Team working
- Demonstrate innovation, leadership and change implementation
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).
