Principal Clinical Scientist

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's hospital in London seeks a Principal Clinical Scientist to lead the Core team at the Rare Disease Laboratory. Candidates must have HCPC registration and significant experience in genomic service delivery. This role requires strong communication skills and offers flexible working options. Join us in delivering high-quality genomic testing and contribute to innovative research projects.

Qualifications

• Extensive post-registration experience in a regional clinical genomics service.
• Knowledge of Quality Management and Audit regulations.
• Experience of reporting complex genomic results.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Core team at the North Thames Rare Disease Laboratory Hub.
• Manage genomic diagnostic methods appropriate for a regional service.
• Engage in collaborative research and development projects with UCL.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Ability to critically analyse and interpret scientific data

Positive, proactive attitude

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Education

1st or 2nd class honours degree in a relevant biological subject

State Registered Clinical Scientist (HCPC)

Royal College of Pathologists Part 1 / DipRCPath

Job description

Overview

North Thames Genomics Laboratory Hub – Band 8B Principal Clinical Scientist. Applications are invited from experienced Clinical Scientists in Rare Disease Genomics. HCPC Clinical Scientist registration and Part 1 FRCPath are essential; RCPath Fellowship is desirable. The successful candidate will lead the Core team at the North Thames Rare Disease Laboratory Hub at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Experience of diagnostic cytogenomic and molecular genomic testing of prenatal samples is required. Prenatal testing of invasive samples at this laboratory includes both cytogenetic testing and Fetal anomaly panel testing for R21 and R412 for the South of England. We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated scientist with significant experience of clinical genomic service delivery. Accomplished communication and organisational skills are required. We support trained scientists who wish to adopt flexible and/or remote working patterns.

Main duties of the job

• The Rare Disease Laboratory has an establishment of approximately 160 staff including technologists, clinical scientists, translational scientists, bioinformaticians and administrative support staff. Along with two Clinical Genetics teams we form a strategic Genetics Unit within the hospital and provide North London with a Regional Genetics Service serving a population of approximately 10 million.
• Having been awarded 11 specialisms in the NHSE Genomic Medicine Service the laboratory provides an in-house diagnostic service for cancer, molecular and cytogenetic testing in accordance with the NHS England Genomic Test Directory. Cytogenetic testing is provided for both prenatal and postnatal samples using SNP microarray, karyotyping, FISH, and qPCR. Molecular testing includes next generation sequencing and targeted tests. We are also engaged in the delivery of NHSE GMS Whole Genome Sequencing programme for North Thames patients.
• We are involved in collaborative research and development projects with colleagues at the UCL Institute of Child Health and Institute of Neurology as part of the UCL Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. We provide a DNA preparation and storage service in support of these projects.

Informal telephone enquiries can be made to Deborah Morrogh. Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

About us

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on ability and merit against the criteria for the role, through a fair and open process. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time unemployed. We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies to ensure fair and consistent treatment of applicants and employees. We are accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Staff networks are open to all employees.

Job description and responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view the attached job description and person specification for details.

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree in a relevant biological subject
• State Registered Clinical Scientist (HCPC)
• Royal College of Pathologists Part 1 / DipRCPath

Desirable

• Higher degree or externally assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise within Rare Disease Clinical Genomics
• Royal College of Pathologists Fellowship (FRCPath)

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• Complete formal postgraduate training programme appropriate for registration with substantial supervised in-service experience
• Extensive post-registration experience in a regional clinical genomics service
• Extensive knowledge of genomic diagnostic methods used in a regional clinical genomics service
• Up-to-date knowledge of clinically significant genomic variants (copy number variants, structural variants, sequence variants)
• Experience of training pre-registration clinical scientists
• Experience of reporting complex genomic results
• Active programme of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of Quality Management and Audit regulations and requirements

Desirable

• Experience of genomic techniques in a regional diagnostic rare disease clinical genomics service
• Experience with external quality assessment schemes for rare disease genomic tests
• Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Positive, proactive attitude
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent interpretation and reporting of complex genomic abnormalities, including advising on implications and reproductive risks
• Ability to critically analyse and interpret scientific data
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written presentation and communication skills
• Ability to write and authorise normal, abnormal and complex reports
• Enthusiasm, motivation of staff; self-confident and emotionally resilient

Desirable

• Ability to develop and maintain effective multidisciplinary working relationships, especially during change

GOSH culture and values

Essential

• Our Always values
• Knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion challenges in the workplace; contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

Certificate of Sponsorship and UK Registration

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See the employer details for address.

Employer details

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Great Ormond Street
London, WC1N 3NN