Biomedical Scientist Specialist

Cambridge University Hospitals; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Biomedical Scientist (Band 6) to join the NHS Respiratory Metagenomics service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. The post involves working with UKHSA and Oxford Nanopore technologies on infectious disease diagnostics.

You will perform molecular workflows, ensure quality and collaborate across organisational boundaries to support innovative projects within a national programme.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences / Medical Microbiology / Molecular Biology.
• HCPC registration and evidence of CPD.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field with NHS/lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual, semi-automated and fully automated microbiology investigations.
• Work in a molecular lab with Nanopore sequencing and a bespoke bioinformatics pipeline.
• Ensure quality control, record results and communicate findings to clinical scientists.
• Support validation/verification and documentation updates.

Skills

Molecular biology

Next-gen sequencing

PCR

Independent working

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences / Medical Microbiology / Molecular Biology

Master’s degree in relevant field

HCPC registration

Tools

PCR equipment

Laboratory IT systems

Quality Management Systems

Job description

Main area Microbiology Grade Band 6 Contract Fixed term: 17 months (Up to 31st March 2028 assuming start end of October 2026) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered) Job ref 180-B-264239

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrooke’s Hospital-Division B Town Cambridge Salary £39,959 - £48,117 p.a. pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 21/10/2026

Job overview

We are seeking a talented and driven biomedical scientist to join our Multi-disciplinary team delivering the NHS Respiratory Metagenomics service as part of a National programme. The role offers a unique opportunity to work with colleagues across the NHS, UKHSA and Oxford Nanopore Technologies and will locally support transformative innovation in the diagnosis of infectious disease for CUH patients.

The metagenomics workflow comprises differential depletion of human nucleic acids, long read sequencing using Nanopore technology and identification of microorganisms in the sample through application of a bespoke bioinformatics pipeline. Results are then interpreted and reported via LIMS to clinicians. The successful candidate will also support ongoing laboratory projects. They will have excellent communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.

Main duties of the job

This NHS role is based within the UKHSA Clinical Microbiology and Public Health laboratory, Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The successful candidate will be responsible for the performance of manual, semi-automated, specialist and fully automated laboratory investigations within a defined service accurately and efficiently, with an awareness of infection risks associated with respiratory pathogens.

They will work to a high standard in a molecular laboratory environment, minimising contamination at all stages of the workflow through good technique and thorough decontamination. The post holder is expected to perform troubleshooting independently and to understand likely points of failure. In addition, the role involves performing stock check and ensuring efficient use where appropriate.

The post holder is responsible for processing quality control material, recording and interpreting results and clear communication of findings to the clinical scientists. If corrective actions are needed, these should be carried out promptly and effectively. They will carry out work to support validation / verification when the laboratory protocol is updated and assist in preparing related documentation.

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 11th October 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 21st October 2026

All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

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 café, 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

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Biological Sciences / Medical Microbiology / Molecular Biology)
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD
• Master’s degree in relevant field

Experience

• Substantial practical experience of working in a Microbiology laboratory or molecular/genetics laboratory within a healthcare setting.
• Experience of operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting specialist automated and semi-automated laboratory equipment
• Experience of relevant IT systems.
• Experience of Quality Management Systems.
• Experience of writing laboratory SOPs
• Experience of training and competency assessment
• Experience of performing Risk Assessments
• Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS
• Previous experience of line managing staff
• Experience of mentoring staff undertaking IBMS training programmes e.g. Registration or specialist portfolio
• Experience of incident reporting and/or investigation
• Participation in change control, validation/verification.

Knowledge

• In depth knowledge of molecular biology practices, in particular of next generation sequencing techniques.
• Actively improves knowledge through reading the literature and attending training events.
• Knows laboratory techniques used in the diagnosis of infections and has background knowledge of causative organisms and clinical features.

Skills

• Can understand and follow standard operating procedures or protocols relating to molecular biological workflows and is able to do this to a high technical standard achieving reproducible results.
• Should work independently with attention to detail and solve problems.
• Can use automated equipment and troubleshoots accordingly.
• Accurate record keeping and use of laboratory and IT systems including Excel databases. Data interpretation relating to scientific projects and can contribute to writing up related reports. Can use laboratory systems to access Standard Operating Procedures and is able to update documentation as required.
• Completes workflow within the working day.
• Excellent communication of scientific and practical information to a range of audiences
• Clinical laboratory experience performing molecular workflows including PCR and next generation sequencing.
• Worked as part of team to perform clinical research / diagnostic testing.
• Can work safely in a category 2 laboratory with clinical specimens.

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.