Research Laboratory Assistant - Glasgow Clinical Research Facility

NHS National Services Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave + holidays

Development opportunities / bursaries

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking a Research Laboratory Assistant to support innovative studies and clinical trials across the region. You will work within a multidisciplinary team at The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, contributing to early-phase trials and large-scale public health research.

The role focuses on processing and managing biological samples, data entry, and ensuring compliance with GCP, GLP and COSHH. Visa sponsorship may be considered for eligible applicants.

Qualifications

• 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

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

Skills

Lab techniques

Sample handling

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Education

Three Highers or SVQ3

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.

Please see below for more details:

Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa

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.

• 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

For an informal discussion, please contact: Susanne Cathcart, Paediatric Research Nurse Manager, on 0141 232 7600 or Susanne [e-mail]

Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates

This vacancy may close early due to a high volume of applications. We recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application, but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you, not an AI tool.

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.

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