Production Scientist

NHS Scotland; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS National Services Scotland seeks a Production Scientist for an 18-month fixed-term position. The role involves GMP production of tissues and cellular products, particularly supporting clinical Pancreatic Islet Cell programmes. Candidates must hold an honours degree and have experience in tissue manufacturing and therapeutic products. A UK driving licence is desirable, and the successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Comprehensive work life balance policies

Occupational health services

Learning resource centres

Discounted leisure and shopping benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in GMP manufacture of tissue and/or cellular therapy products.
• Demonstrable specialist knowledge of related procedures and processes.

Responsibilities

• Directly involved in the GMP production of tissues, cells, and advanced therapeutics.
• Support the clinical Pancreatic Islet Cell programmes.

Skills

GMP production

Tissue manufacturing

Cellular therapy

Education

Honours degree

Job description

Production Scientist

This post is a 18 Month Fixed Term / Secondment position. As per the Fixed Term Contacts Policy - Where individuals with continuous service within the NHS apply for fixed-term contract roles, NSS reserves the right to refuse any such appointment.

About the Organisation:
National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best-in-class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re-invested into essential services.

The Post:
The core purpose of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is to meet the transfusion needs of patients in Scotland. In support of this, the SNBTS Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics (TCAT) Directorate is committed to a programme that will enhance the service provided to NHS Scotland in both clinical and operational areas. SNBTS undertakes research and development which is designed to support the strategic and operational priorities of the organisation, achieve high quality and impact and add value to broader NHS and Governmental objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the SNBTS TCAT Directorate as a Production Scientist primarily supporting the clinical Pancreatic Islet Cell programmes.

The successful candidate for the new post will be directly involved in the GMP production of a range of tissues, cells and advanced therapeutics at the Jack Copland Centre.

The Candidate:
The successful candidate must be educated to honours degree level. In addition, the post holder should have demonstrable experience resulting in specialist knowledge of a range of procedures and processes, ideally in the GMP manufacture of tissue and/or cellular therapy products.

A full UK driving licence is desirable to allow attendance at transplants throughout the central belt.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency. Details of how to apply for the Disclosure check will be supplied to successful candidates.

Location and Working Pattern:
The post will be based at The Jack Copland Centre, 52 Research Avenue North, Currie, EH14 4BE.

Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week. Participation in on-call rota.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.

Benefits:
Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion:
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long-term commitment to staff health and well-being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on [e-mail]

Further information:
For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Lora Irvine, Production Manager via email [e-mail]

Closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 10th June 2025.

Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/

Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).