Principal Clinical Scientist

NHS; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's hospital in London is looking for a Principal Clinical Scientist to manage the Rare Disease Laboratory Hub. Candidates should have significant experience in clinical genomics and possess strong communication and organizational skills. The role offers a competitive salary of £70,387 to £80,465 per annum and supports flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in genomic diagnostic methods and clinical service delivery.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in clinical genomics.
• Extensive knowledge of genomic techniques and applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the core team at the North Thames Rare Disease Laboratory Hub.
• Provide a regional genetics service for approximately 10 million people.
• Coordinate diagnostic services within the established genetics unit.

Skills

Inter-personal communication skills

Organizational and time management skills

Ability to interpret genomic data

Training pre-registration clinical scientists

Excellent presentation 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

Higher degree in Rare Disease Clinical Genomics

Job description

Overview

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust – North Thames Genomics Laboratory Hub - Band 8B Principal Clinical Scientist. Internal applicants only. Closing date: 02 October 2025.

Role and Location

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 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 the NHSE GMS Whole Genome Sequencing programme for our North Thames patients.

We are involved in a number of 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 many 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 their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

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 spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women's staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust's mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Job 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. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

• 1st or 2nd class honours degree in a relevant biological subject
• State Registered Clinical Scientist (HCPC)
• Royal College of Pathologists Part 1 / DipRCPath
• Higher degree or externally assessed equivalent level of knowledge and expertise within the speciality of Rare Disease Clinical Genomics
• Royal College of Pathologists Fellowship (FRCPath)

Experience/Knowledge

• To have completed a formal postgraduate training programme approved as appropriate for registration together with substantial supervised in service experience
• Extensive post-registration experience in a regional clinical genomics service
• Extensive and comprehensive knowledge of genomic diagnostic methods required in a regional clinical genomics service
• Up to date knowledge of clinically significant genomic variants e.g. copy number variants, structural variants, sequence variants
• Experience of training pre-registration clinical scientists
• Experience of reporting complex genomic results
• Evidence of an active programme of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of appropriate Quality Management and Audit regulations and requirements
• Experience of genomic techniques and their application within a regional diagnostic rare disease clinical genomics service
• Experience of participation in external quality assessment schemes for rare disease genomic tests
• Knowledge of appropriate Health and Safety regulations and requirements

Skills/Abilities

• Positive, "can do" attitude to work
• Evidence of excellent inter-personal communication skills
• Excellent skills in the interpretation and reporting of complex genomic abnormalities, including giving advice on the implications and reproductive risks for patients and families
• Able to critically analyse and interpret scientific data
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with ability to prioritise tasks effectively
• Excellent verbal and written presentation and communication skills
• Ability to write and authorise normal, abnormal and complex reports
• Enthusiasm, Ability to motivate staff
• Self-confident and emotionally resilient
• Ability to develop and maintain effective multi-disciplinary working relationships at all levels, particularly during times of change

GOSH Culture and Values

• Our Always values
• Knowledge and Understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace. Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

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.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

£70,387 to £80,465 a year per annum inclusive

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

271-GEN-7449434

Job locations

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust