Research Laboratory Assistant - Glasgow Clinical Research Facility

NHS Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is recruiting a Research Laboratory Assistant to support clinical research studies and trials at The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. You will work within a multidisciplinary team to process samples, assist visits and help ensure data integrity and safety.

The role offers development opportunities, flexible working where possible, and membership in one of the UK’s largest NHS organisations. A strong emphasis on quality and accuracy is essential.

Qualifications

• Educated to a minimum of 3 Highers at Grade C or above including Maths and Chemistry or Biology, or SVQ3 in a relevant science subject.
• Relevant or significant experience of laboratory techniques and sample processing procedures involving biological samples.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Health & Safety requirements and COSHH regulations.
• Strong numeracy, literacy, technical skills and manual dexterity with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to organise and prioritise workloads independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience handling biological samples or supporting research activities would be advantageous.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and adaptability to flexible working.

Responsibilities

• Receive, inspect, process, label, centrifuge, aliquot and store a variety of biological samples to high standards.
• Coordinate daily laboratory activities and support scheduling; guide colleagues where required.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and environments, monitor freezers/fridges/centrifuges, escalate issues.
• Support study visits, data entry and sample processing while adhering to governance.
• Manage sample logistics, packaging and shipment under controlled conditions (e.g., dry ice).
• Utilise research systems including EDGE, Q-Pulse, DATIX and MS Office for data management.
• Promote safe working practices and compliance with GCP/GLP, health & safety and COSHH.

Skills

Numeracy

Literacy

Technical skills

Manual dexterity

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

3 Highers including Maths and Chemistry or Biology

SVQ3 in a relevant science subject

Tools

EDGE

Q-Pulse

DATIX

Microsoft Office

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non‑clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The Role

Are you passionate about clinical research and looking for an opportunity to make a real difference to patient care? As a Research Laboratory Assistant within the Glasgow Clinical Research Facility (GCRF), you'll play a vital role in supporting innovative research studies and clinical trials across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Working as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, you'll contribute to projects ranging from early-phase clinical trials to large-scale public health research. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your laboratory expertise in a supportive and forward‑thinking environment while helping to shape the future of healthcare. At NHSGGC, you'll benefit from excellent development opportunities, collaborative working, and the chance to be part of one of the UK's largest and most respected NHS organisations.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) may be able to provide visa sponsorship for certain roles, subject to the post meeting the relevant eligibility criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis following interview and during the pre‑employment verification process. Applicants must state their current right to work in their application.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

• Full-time, fixed-term for 2 years
• You will be based at The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
• Working Pattern: Monday - Friday

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, inspect, process, label, centrifuge, aliquot and store a variety of biological samples including blood, urine, sputum and stool to the highest quality standards
• Coordinate daily laboratory activities, support weekly scheduling and provide guidance to colleagues where required
• Maintain laboratory equipment and environments, including monitoring freezers, fridges and centrifuges and escalating any issues or non‑conformities
• Support clinical research study visits, data entry and sample processing activities while adhering to research governance requirements
• Manage sample logistics, including packaging and shipment of research samples under controlled conditions such as dry ice transport
• Utilise research systems including electronic case report forms, EDGE, Q-Pulse, DATIX and Microsoft Office to support accurate data management and record keeping
• Promote safe working practices and ensure compliance with Health & Safety, COSHH, Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice requirements

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job

• Educated to a minimum of 3 Highers at Grade C or above including Maths and Chemistry or Biology, or hold an SVQ3 in a relevant science subject or equivalent qualification
• Relevant or significant experience of laboratory techniques and sample processing procedures involving biological samples
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Health & Safety requirements and COSHH regulations
• Strong numeracy, literacy, technical skills and manual dexterity with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to organise and prioritise workloads independently while managing competing demands in a fast‑paced environment
• Relevant or significant experience of handling biological samples, maintaining laboratory equipment or supporting research activities would be advantageous
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and adapt to flexible working arrangements when required

What We Offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e‑learning and classroom‑based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as various, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.