Scientific Support Technologist (Molecular Microbiology & Virology)

GOSH International; Greater London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is seeking a Scientific Support Technologist to join our Molecular Microbiology & Virology team. This Band 5 role offers full-time hours (37.5 per week) with a salary range of £38,488 to £46,852 per annum, pro rata where applicable.

You will follow SOPs, perform nucleic acid extraction, QC steps, library prep, and load sequencing instruments to support sequencing-based diagnostics for paediatric patients.

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular laboratory setting with accurate pipetting skills.
• Ability to follow SOPs and work to quality control steps.
• Knowledge of nucleic acid extraction and sequencing workflows.

Responsibilities

• Follow SOPs to perform laboratory work supporting sequencing-based services.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction and QC steps (Qubit, Tapestation).
• Prepare sequencing libraries and load instruments to generate data.

Skills

Meticulous

Pipetting

Communication

Time management

Training others

Education

Biological Science or Genetics degree

Tools

Qubit

Tapestation

Nanodrop

EPIC LIMS

Illumina sequencing

Job description

Want to find out how you can join us at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)?

You’ve come to the right place.

Just so you know, we don’t target individuals unprompted and offer them employment, without a full interview process taking place. If you receive an unsolicited offer from GOSH, please refer this immediately to [e-mail]

Scientific Support Technologist (Molecular Microbiology & Virology)

Band 5

Main area Molecular Microbiology and Virology Grade Band 5 Contract Two posts available (1 x Permanent & 1 x Fixed Term until 31st March 2028) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday, daily start time between 8 and 8.30 am) Job ref 271-CCS-8307456

Site Great Ormond Street Hospital Town London Salary £38,488 - £46,852 Inclusive per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are seeking highly motivated Scientific Support Technologists with experience working in molecular laboratories to support our expanding sequencing-based diagnostic services in Microbiology and Virology.

Our department provides specialist tests to diagnose infections in our patients and for patients in hospitals across the UK. These are sequencing-based tests using Illumina short-read sequencing, ONT long-read sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Services include untargeted metagenomics for respiratory, central nervous system and ocular infections in critically ill patients, as well as targeted and broad-range PCR for bacterial and fungal pathogens.

This is an excellent opportunity to work as part of a very experienced and dedicated team to gain extra skills and knowledge of paediatric microbiology and sequencing, including NGS (Next Generation Sequencing).

This is a vibrant, progressive, well equipped and ISO:15189 accredited laboratory.

Main duties of the job

You will follow Standard Operating Procedures to perform the laboratory work to support these services, including nucleic acid extraction, quality control steps such as Qubit and Tapestation, sequencing library preparation and loading of sequencing instruments.

You are expected to have worked in a molecular diagnostic or academic laboratory, with well-developed and accurate pipetting skills. An eye for detail and working in an organised manner is crucial to this role, as well as the ability to work within expected time frames to ensure timely results for patients.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women’s Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A detailed job description and main responsibilities are described in detail int the Job Description document. Molecular laboratory experience is essential.

Person specification

GOSH Values

• GOSH Values
• Biological Science or Genetics undergraduate degree (or equivalent)

Experience/Knowledge

• Highly developed pipetting skills
• Experience of nucleic acid extraction
• Experience of PCR set-up
• Experience of NGS library preparation (e.g. Illumina, Nanopore)
• Experience processing biological specimens
• Knowledge regarding molecular microbiology techniques I/A (e.g. PCR, sequencing) and understanding of scientific and clinical terms
• Experience working with laboratory equipment
• Experience working in a scientific laboratory (NHS, academia or industry)
• Experience of quantitation of nucleic acid (e.g. Tapestation, Qubit, nanodrop)
• Experience of Sanger Sequencing
• Previous experience of working in an NHS laboratory
• Experience in culture-based techniques
• Previous participation in UKAS ISO:15189 laboratory accreditation
• Experience with laboratory information management systems e.g. EPIC
• Experience training others

Skills/Abilities

• Careful, meticulous attention to detail
• Organised approach to work and time management
• Able to communicate effectively both verbally, by email and by appropriate documentation
• Able to follow and give instructions clearly
• Able to train others
• Able to concentrate for long periods of time, adapt to changing priorities and work under pressure

Please be advised that:

The recruitment process for all admin and clerical roles at Bands 2-4 will be a two stage recruitment process whereby shortlisted candidates will undertake an online literacy, numeracy, ICT and typing test. Only those candidates who pass the competency test will proceed to a formal interview.

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification criteria for this post will be shortlisted. Please note that where high volumes of applicants have been received, additional criteria may on occasion be used to determine the final shortlist.

We are an accredited Living Wage Employer.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.