NHSL 235831 Lead Principle Clinical Scientist (LI)

NHS National Services Scotland; Livingston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Scotland is seeking a Lead Principal Clinical Scientist to oversee the Clinical Biochemistry service. The role involves managing a high-quality clinical service across multiple hospital sites, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, and collaborating with consultants. The ideal candidate will have experience with automated Clinical Biochemistry analyzers, hold an MSc or PhD in a relevant field, and be HCPC registered. Full-time hours are set at 37 per week, transitioning to 36 hours. Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out for inquiries.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Clinical Scientist is mandatory.
• Significant experience with Clinical Biochemistry.
• Enthusiasm for team-based work.

Responsibilities

• Drive a high-quality clinical service across sites.
• Participate in comprehensive Biochemistry services.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS accreditation standards.

Skills

Clinical Biochemistry analyzers

Manual and automated analysis

Clinical liaison

Research and development

Teaching and audit

Education

MSc in Clinical Biochemistry

PhD in a relevant field

FRC Path Part 1

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part‑time hours will be reduced pro‑rata. Please note that the pay scale in this advert will not change as a result.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long‑term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

To work in the United Kingdom, a legal requirement exists for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to check is available in the further information for this vacancy.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. Any change to what is currently required will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit Disclosure Scotland Changes.

NHS Lothian University Hospital Trust

Department of Laboratory Medicine

Lead Principal Clinical Scientist (SJH)

Band 8B

37hrs, permanent (pending implementation of Reduced working week when working hours will be 36)

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a passion for driving excellence and delivering a high‑quality clinical service to join our Lothian‑wide team of Clinical Scientists based across the city of Edinburgh. The Biochemistry service for Lothian is provided from 3 main hospital sites providing a comprehensive service to primary and secondary care. The service also accepts tertiary referrals for a range of specialist testing, including antenatal screening, gastrointestinal investigations, toxicology, specialist endocrinology and protein work. This post is for the St Johns Hospital site lead role (0.6WTE) and to support the Scottish Antenatal Screening Laboratory service (0.4WTE).

You will have considerable experience of both manual and automated Clinical Biochemistry analysers and ideally also have expertise in one or more specialist areas. You will be expected to participate in all aspects of the Biochemistry service, including reporting, clinical liaison, research and development, teaching and audit.

The successful candidate will work in cooperation with consultant colleagues and the wider team within the specialty to provide a comprehensive, high quality, cost‑effective scientific and clinical service (analytical and interpretative) to primary and secondary care to support the diagnosis and management of patients. They will work closely with the compliance team to ensure that the service provided meets nationally accepted accreditation standards from UKAS.

Applications are invited from dynamic individuals with a proven scientific and professional record and the enthusiasm to work as part of a team. This post is ideal for someone who has a keen interest in providing a high‑quality service, as well as supporting the team with regional activities. You must be an HCPC registered Clinical Scientist and hold an appropriate MSc in Clinical Biochemistry or a PhD in a relevant field. FRC Path Part 1 is an essential requirement for the post.

Informal enquiries and requests to visit the hospitals are very welcome and should be made to Dr Catriona Clarke, Consultant Biochemist, NHS Lothian. Tel [phone], email [e-mail]