Genetic Technologist (Trainee until registered)

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Cambridge is seeking a Genetic Technologist (Trainee until registered) for a 3-year fixed term contract. The role involves performing diagnostic tests, supervising and training staff, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Ideal candidates should possess a BSc in Biological Science and relevant healthcare registration. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and potential for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Reduced cost bus travel

Subsidized parking

Qualifications

• Understanding health and safety issues.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and management systems.
• Understanding patient confidentiality and ethical issues.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic tests and supervision of other staff.
• Maintain registration with relevant healthcare councils.
• Participate in on-call rota and data analysis.

Skills

Able to concentrate for prolonged periods

Good organisation and time management skills

Good verbal and written communication

Communicating with external suppliers

Education

BSc degree in an appropriate Biological Science or equivalent

Registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or HCPC

Job description

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Genetic Technologist (Trainee until registered)

Closing date: 12 January 2026

The Cambridge Genomic Laboratory (East GLH) is looking to recruit several Band 5 Technical staff within our wet laboratory to perform specialist genomic processes. Laboratory technical experience and training others is an essential requirement for this highly skilled role.

One of the positions is for a 3 year fixed term contract and would be suitable as a secondment role.

The Laboratory is part of the East NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub. This is one of seven Genomic Hubs established to provide the National Genomic Medicine Service for NHS England, led by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and working with Nottingham University Hospital and University Hospital Leicester.

Hours are currently within our current opening hours of 8am to 6pm, however the laboratory may soon be open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and at weekends, so flexibility is desirable.

Main duties of the job

• Perform a broad spectrum of diagnostic tests.
• Supervision and training of other technologists and unqualified staff.
• Work towards or maintain registration with the AHCS or HCPC.
• Computer manipulation and analysis of data for diagnostic tests.
• Partake in the on‑call rota where required.

About us

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1,100 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.

Job 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.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment.

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 12th January 2026.

Interviews are due w/c 19th January 2026.

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 caf, 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

• BSc degree in an appropriate Biological Science or equivalent qualifications
• Registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Skills

• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods and to work under pressure
• Good organisation and time management skills
• Good verbal and written communication
• Communicating with external suppliers

Knowledge

• Knowledge of relevant health and safety issues
• Knowledge of quality assurance/quality control and quality management systems
• Good understanding of patient confidentiality and ethical issues
• Knowledge and understanding of a clinical diagnostic service

Experience

• Commonly used molecular or culture laboratory testing methods.
• Scientific data analysis.
• Training and supervising Staff
• Commonly used genomic testing methods, e.g. PCR, DNA extraction, G‑banding
• Specialised medical genomic methods e.g. NGS, mutation analysis, FISH, Microarray, karyotype.

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.

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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust