Domain Lead (LIMS) - Microbiology/Virology

NHS; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Domain Lead (LIMS) in Microbiology/Virology to shape digital transformation through Clinisys LIMS implementation. You will lead multidisciplinary collaboration and coordinate scientific oversight to ensure efficient, compliant laboratory processes.

The role is a 24-month fixed-term Band 7 position, offering NHS benefits and opportunities for secondment or flexible working arrangements where possible.

Qualifications

• Masters level or equivalent in biomedical science or related field.
• State Registration (HCPC) is required.
• PRINCE 2 Practitioner or equivalent project leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, implement Clinisys LIMS and related digital solutions.
• Coordinate technical and scientific oversight of the proposed design.
• Ensure quality standards and clinical needs are met across the Trust.
• Support cross-trust collaboration and staff training on the new system.

Skills

LIMS development

Digital transformation

Microbiology workflows

Project coordination

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

MSc Biomedical Science

HCPC registration

PRINCE 2 Practitioner

Tools

Microsoft Office

LIMS

Job description

Domain Lead (LIMS) - Microbiology/Virology

Band 7

Main area 317 LIMS Project Grade Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 24 months (November 2026 – October 2028 - Secondment Opportunity) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share

37.5 hours per week Job ref 317-2026-40-011-A

Site Trustwide Town 317 Trustwide Salary £49,387 - £56,515 pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 26/11/2026

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country. We have around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion.

With strong history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally, w e’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country.

As well as providing a wide range of hospital and community services, we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.

Job overview

Ready to help shape the future of pathology diagnostics?

The Integrated Laboratory Medicine (ILM) Directorate at The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NuTH) is seeking an enthusiastic Domain Lead to join our Microbiology/Virology Laboratory and support our digital transformation programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to use your scientific expertise to help design, develop and implement our new Clinisys Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

We are looking for someone with strong experience of NHS Microbiology/Virology laboratory processes and workflows, a good understanding of pathology digital systems, and an aptitude for technology and innovation. Experience of LIMS development or digital transformation would be advantageous.

Main duties of the job

Working within a multidisciplinary team of scientific, technical and clinical colleagues you will contribute to the design, testing, implementation and integration of the new Clinisys LIMS and associated digital solutions. Using your laboratory knowledge, you will coordinate technical and scientific oversight of the proposed design. Ensuring that the necessary quality standards and clinical needs for NuTH provide streamlined processes, improve efficiency, and reduce waste while supporting high-quality patient care.

This is a 24-month fixed-term post offering an excellent opportunity to develop your digital expertise while making a lasting contribution to pathology services across the Trust

Why Join Us?

You'll become part of a welcoming and supportive team committed to innovation and excellence in patient care. This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of pathology services, working on a high-profile digital programme that will influence how diagnostic services are delivered for years to come.

Secondment opportunities are available with agreement from your current manager; part time hours and job share may also be considered.

If you're passionate about pathology, technology and making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Working for our organisation

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

About You

You will be a motivated and proactive individual with experience of biomedical processes and understanding of change management methods. Ideally, you will have contributed to service improvement or digital transformation projects and be enthusiastic about improving laboratory services through technology.

You will represent NuTH Microbiology/Virology as part of a regional collaboration, facilitating cross-functional working with laboratory teams across other NHS Trusts and external suppliers to support the development and implementation of a single-instance LIMS. This will include supporting quality and compliance requirements, sharing laboratory and informatics knowledge, and helping to train and support staff through implementation.

You will:

• thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• work confidently both independently and collaboratively
• demonstrate initiative, resilience and a solution-focused approach
• experienced in managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• aware of the challenges of business transformation initiatives
• communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels
• be organised, analytical and confident managing competing priorities
• have a creative approach to problem-solving
• be enthusiastic about digital innovation in healthcare
• be proficient in Microsoft Office applications

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

• Be educated to masters level or equivalent level of qualification or experience e.g. IT, Business, Health or have extensive relevant experience
• MSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent experience / knowledge (i.e. Fellowship of Institute of Biomedical Science)
• State Registration (Health and Care Professions Council)
• PRINCE 2 Practitioner or equivalent experience in the leading of projects and change initiatives

Knowledge & Experience

• Evidence of recent continuing professional development
• Either significant post HCPC registration pathology experience or significant experience of working with clinical/NHS systems and data interfaces
• Practical knowledge in IT and information systems, ideally within a pathology setting covering LIMS and middleware applications. The post holder will be routinely required to provide expert opinion and advice to staff, users of the service and to external organisations
• Experience of operating within a formal and structured data environment
• Understanding of Pathology regulatory requirements e.g. UKAS
• Advanced knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Knowledge of procurement processes
• Knowledge of or experience in coaching and mentoring practices and tools
• Knowledge of or experience in Quality improvement tools, techniques and methods

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Proven analytical/problem solving skills
• Ability to cope with pressured situations with changing priorities
• A systematic and analytical approach to problem solving
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Plan and prioritise own work (including delegated tasks)
• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills
• You may also need to travel between Trust premises as required for the performance of your duties which may include attending other NHS sites across the region as part of regional initiatives. You may also be expected to work at any of the trust sites

Whilst Newcastle Hospitals are a forward thinking and highly innovative organisation, the use of Third-Party Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a risk to the integrity of our Recruitment & Selection processes. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual application or to the recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Important note on completion of reference section of Application Form

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.

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