Component Development - Principal Scientist

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Scientist in a leading healthcare organization. You will spearhead a transformational project aimed at developing novel plasma and platelet components for transfusion. This role involves extensive collaboration, research, and management, ensuring the delivery of high-quality results while training and supervising less experienced staff. Join a dedicated team committed to improving patient outcomes through innovative research and development.

Qualifications

• Significant practical laboratory experience required.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical work package for Universal Components project.
• Train staff and manage line responsibilities.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Research

Communication

Education

Postgraduate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Component Development - Principal Scientist

We have an exciting opening for a postgraduate/postdoctoral scientist, preferably in the field of immunology, to join our team. You will be part of a large transformational project in partnership with industry to develop new plasma and platelet components that can be transfused to any patient. As the technical work package lead, you will conduct research and coordinate investigations of blood component quality. You will initiate, plan, and direct investigations, supervise analysis and interpretation of results, and ensure their dissemination in journals and reports. You will also be responsible for line managing staff working with the translational research programme lead.

Main duties of the job

The role involves leading a technical work package within the Universal Components project team to develop novel plasma and platelet components for broad patient application. You will collaborate with NHSBT and an industrial partner, responsible for delivering the technical work, evaluating prototypes, and disseminating findings. Additionally, you will train less experienced staff, students, and researchers, and manage staff line responsibilities.

About us

NHS Blood and Transplant employs over 6,000 people dedicated to saving and improving lives through activities like blood and organ donation. Our core values—Caring, Expertise, and Quality—guide our work. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace reflecting diverse communities and encourage applications from all sectors.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached recruitment profile for a detailed Job Description and Person Specification, which outline the personal attributes required for this role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree or relevant professional qualification with significant practical laboratory experience.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development (CPD).

Experience

• Expertise in relevant specialism, demonstrated by publications.
• Proficiency in specialised laboratory techniques/environments.
• Understanding of NHS and healthcare research community.
• Experience leading and completing major laboratory projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of Haematology/Transfusion Science.
• Extensive research laboratory experience.