Scientific Support Officer

Cambridge University Hospitals; Cambridge; À distance; GBP 32 000 - 39 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

On-site leisure facilities

Bus travel subsidy

Parking on site

Résumé du poste

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting two permanent Band 5 Scientific Support Officers and one 12-month secondment for internal applicants to join the East Genomic Laboratory Hub in Cambridge. The role supports the Genomics Laboratory’s testing pathways and ensures timely progression of patient samples.

We seek highly organised, detail‑driven individuals with excellent communication skills who can work well both independently and as part of a collaborative team in a

Qualifications

• Degree in biological science or related field.
• Experience or training in human genetics is desirable.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills are required.

Responsabilités

• Provide professional scientific support to Duty Scientists within CUH Genomics Laboratory.
• Ensure samples follow the correct testing pathway across the laboratory.
• Maintain competency in technical activities related to the data analysed.
• Demonstrate professionalism, discretion and accuracy in a team environment.

Connaissances

Communication skills

Organisation

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Formation

Degree in biological sciences

Undergraduate human genetics course/module

Outils

Epic EMR

Description du poste

Main area Healthcare Science Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent: Secondment also available Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered) Job ref 180-B-264242

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B Town Cambridge Salary £32,073 - £39,043 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Band 5 Scientific Support Officer role:
x 2 Permanent positions (Available to both Internal and external candidates)
x 1 secondment (12 months and Internal candidates only)

The East Genomic Laboratory Hub at Cambridge University Hospitals is seeking motivated and enthusiastic Scientific Support Officers (SSO) to join our Solid Cancer Team and Haemato-Oncology Team.

Please note the secondment position is for our Solid Cancer Team only.

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring patient samples progress through the laboratory efficiently and on the correct testing pathway.

We are looking for individuals with excellent communication and organisational skills, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering a high-quality service. Working within a friendly and supportive SSO team, you will work across the department, collaborating with scientific, administrative and specimen reception staff.

We have two permanent positions. You will be assigned a team based on your application, prior knowledge and interest.

The ideal candidates will:

• Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Be organised and demonstrate excellent attention to detail
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Be professional, reliable, and motivated to make a positive contribution

Main duties of the job

To provide a highly professional, comprehensive, effective and efficient scientific support service to the Duty Scientists within the Genomics Laboratory, CUH.

To ensure samples are assigned the correct testing pathway through the laboratory.

Maintain, or actively pursue, competency in specific technical activities relating to the data being analysed

Attributes of the successful candidates will include very high levels of professionalism, discretion and attention to detail. They will be highly literate, with the ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time and able to work flexibly within a scientific community.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrookes Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 11th October 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 19th October 2026

All external appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.

As there is a 12-week probationary period for external appointments, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full-time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full-time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree in biological scientific subject.
• Undergraduate human genetics course/module.

Experience

• Dealing with difficult situations.
• Prioritising, planning and organising own and others’ tasks.
• Proven record of using own initiative and working autonomously, within competency.
• Use of Epic electronic medical record system.
• Work experience in a scientific laboratory or department (NHS, academia, industry).
• Working with patient samples.

Knowledge

• Understanding of scientific and clinical terms.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and data protection processes and procedures.
• Good working knowledge of office procedures and Microsoft office packages including Access
• Knowledge of genetic tests.
• Basic human genomics knowledge.
• Knowledge of ISO:15189 2022 standards.

Skills

• Ability to process scientific information.
• Ability to manage/work as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills including telephone, email, face to face.
• Ability to use own initiative and work autonomously, within competency.
• Willing to take on/learn new skills.
• Ability to show attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to adapt to change.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Experience of CUH I.T. systems.
• Experience of IQM.
• Experience of customer service.
• Experienced in techniques used for the diagnosis of human inherited and acquired disorders

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.