Laboratory Manager

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS trust in London is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to lead the team in the Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Programme. You will oversee daily laboratory operations, manage staff, and ensure compliance with quality standards. The ideal candidate will have a degree in biological or medical science and be HCPC registered. This role offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to contribute significantly to patient care in a highly regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Registered scientist with HCPC.
• Experience in cellular therapy products and laboratory management.
• Knowledge of HTA and JACIE regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations and workload.
• Supervise scientific staff and ensure quality standards.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation.

Skills

Haematology analysers

Flow cytometry

Technical problem solving

Communication of complex information

Education

Degree in biological/medical science

Current registration with HCPC

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Cleanroom environment

Job description

Laboratory Manager

The closing date is 04 January 2026

An opportunity has arisen for a responsible and self‑motivated HCPC registered scientist to join the team within the Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Programme as the Laboratory Manager. The team has 9 scientists who are all involved in the processing, storage, and distribution of cellular therapy products for patients undergoing transplantation. A rigorous quality management system is in place to ensure that the facility operates within national and international legislation and provides the best possible care to patients and donors.

The postholder is expected to oversee the management of the day‑to‑day operation and workload of the laboratory, including the supervision of scientific staff. The successful applicant will be required to maintain at all times the high standards and quality of this highly regulated service and keep an up‑to‑date knowledge of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Biology, and current working practices in those areas.

The unit's operational hours are 08:00 - 18:00, Monday - Friday. As a senior member of the laboratory you may be asked to provide support to other staff covering the unit, and to provide assistance in the event of a major incident.

Main duties of the job

• Actively manage the day‑to‑day workload of the laboratory including the analysis and processing of patient's blood and procured cellular therapy products using a variety of assays following departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure work is completed timely and to satisfactory standards, results are reported within the agreed turnaround times and in accordance with the relevant SOPs.
• Ensure the efficient functioning of the unit including QC/QA of laboratory equipment and procedures, stock control, participation in external QA schemes, document review and auditing.
• Take responsibility for the documented training of other scientists in the Cell Processing Laboratory.
• Liaise with other hospitals, academic collaborators, commercial suppliers and customers.
• Promote good working relationships between members of the department and with other hospitals. Ensure that staff are able to carry out their duties free from harassment and bullying, adhering to hospital guidelines.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top‑quality patient care, excellent education, and world‑class research.

We provide first‑class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world‑class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff. To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• Degree in biological/medical science
• Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Knowledge of regulatory bodies including the HTA and JACIE
• Knowledge of Equal Opportunities and Data Protection/Confidentiality
• Published academic work in peer reviewed journals relating to cellular therapies

Experience

• Substantive experience in same or similar specialty
• Experience of laboratory information systems
• Experience in audit and evaluation of practice and service
• Cleanroom working and monitoring experience

Skills and Abilities

• Use of haematology analysers and flow cytometry
• Cellular therapy product cryopreservation / manipulation
• Technical problem solving e.g. equipment failure, Quality Control failure
• Competent in the interpretation and technical validation of results including the investigation of abnormal outcomes

Communication

• Clear communication of complex information including results and advice to other health professionals
• Ability to provide and receive sensitive information

Personal and People Development

• Well‑developed interpersonal skills, able to organise and manage own workload
• Work well as a team member
• Reliable, trustworthy, flexible and self‑motivated

Specific Requirements

• Required to work a 37.5 hour week

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.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£64,156 to £71,148 a year Per Annum Inclusive of HCAS