Senior Biomedical Scientist - IHC Lead

Deciphex Limited; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading diagnostic services provider in Oxford is seeking an experienced Senior Biomedical Scientist to lead immunohistochemistry (IHC) services. You will guide operations in a fully digital lab, develop new protocols, and supervise staff. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in histology, HCPC registration, and strong leadership skills. This role offers flexible shifts, competitive salaries, and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Flexible shift patterns

Competitive salary

Sign-on bonus

Annual pay progression

UK relocation support allowance

Private healthcare & pension

Holiday entitlement that grows with you

Career growth pathways

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in Histology and IHC.
• Experience in UKAS-accredited labs and audit prep.
• Strong skills across embedding, microtomy, staining and digitisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop our IHC service, including method validation and antibody protocol design.
• Supervise junior staff and help manage daily lab operations.
• Ensure smooth sample handling, processing, dissection and digitisation.

Skills

Histology

IHC (Immunohistochemistry)

Leadership

Quality Control

Education

HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist

IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio or MSc

Tools

Microscopy

Digital Pathology Software

Job description

Lab-Based - Kidlington, Oxford, UK (OX5 ILH)

• This role is fully on-site in our Oxford lab.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Shifts That Work Around You

• Choose to work 2, 3 4 or 5 days a week shift rota
• Early or late shifts available to suit your schedule
• 7.5 hours (excluding 1-hour lunch)
• Weekly rota managed by your Line Manager

About us
Diagnexia, a subsidiary of Deciphex: Accelerating Certainty and Pioneering Pathology Services.

We're transforming how pathology works. Since our parent company Deciphex was founded in Dublin in 2017, we've grown into a global team of over 230 professionals with offices across Dublin, Exeter, Oxford and Chicago.

Our mission is simple but vital - accelerate drug development and deliver faster, more accurate cancer diagnoses. Through our cloud-based platform, hospitals worldwide can instantly connect with our expert subspecialists for rapid case consultations.

At Diagnexia, you'll be part of pioneering digital pathology solutions that directly improve patient outcomes and keep healthcare organisations at the cutting edge of diagnostic innovation.

Why Senior Biomedical Scientists Join Diagnexia

• Flexible shift patterns - Designed to support real work-life balance - including early/late / part time options to suit your lifestyle.
• Competitive salary - We offer above NHS pay scales, recognising the expertise you bring.
• Sign-on bonus - A warm welcome and recognition of your value.
• Annual pay progression - Performance-based salary increases that reward your impact - not just your years in role.
• UK relocation support allowance - Moving to Oxford? We offer a relocation bonus to make your transition easier.
• Private healthcare & pension - Comprehensive support for your wellbeing - now and in the future.
• Holiday entitlement that grows with you - Earn additional annual leave the longer you're with us.
• Clear pathways for career growth - Structured development plans, regular reviews, and fast-track progression opportunities
• A genuinely supportive team culture - You'll join our collaborative lab environment where your voice is heard, and your experience is respected.

Bring your HCPC-registered expertise to a team that values precision and impact.

How you'll thrive with us

At Diagnexia, we're building the future of digital pathology.

• This role is for a confident, collaborative Senior BMS ready to lead and grow our dissection services at the core of our fast-moving, fully digitised lab.
• You'll apply your advanced IHC skills to deliver a high-quality, efficient service while developing new protocols, supporting colleagues, and driving standards forward.
• For you, that means the chance to lead, shape, and evolve a specialist area you love - in a lab culture that values curiosity, autonomy, and continuous improvement.
• You'll grow your expertise in advanced specimen sampling, digital diagnostics, and UKAS-accredited best practice - all while mentoring a skilled team and influencing how pathology is delivered at scale.

About the Role

• As our IHC Lead, you'll use your deep histopathology knowledge to guide our fully digital lab to the next level.
• You'll lead our IHC service-developing new protocols, validating antibodies, and overseeing lab operations.
• You'll supervise the team, support the Lab Director, and take a hands-on role across the dissection workflow-from specimen prep to digitisation.
• You'll have the chance to shape lab processes, mentor team members, and influence service quality, all in a cutting-edge diagnostic setting.
• Your IHC skills won't just be used-they'll be relied on.
• For you, this means stepping into a role where your expertise has real impact, your ideas drive innovation, and your leadership helps shape the future of digital pathology.

What You'll help us achieve

• Ensure smooth sample handling, processing, dissection and digitisation
• Lead and develop our IHC service, including method validation and antibody protocol design
• Provide expert advice and troubleshoot as needed
• Supervise junior staff and help manage daily lab operations
• Maintain SOPs, training records, and quality systems to UKAS standards
• Own and advance your skills through CPD and continuous learning
• Develop and maintain the standard operating procedures for use within the IHC laboratory in accordance with relevant regulatory standards
• Contribute to R&D, including digitisation and advanced tissue labelling
• Maintain lab compliance, safety standards, and accurate documentation
• Present findings and reports to internal teams and stakeholders
• Collaborate across teams to deliver impactful diagnostic services

What You'll Bring

• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist
• IBMS Higher Specialist Portfolio or MSc (preferred)
• 5+ years' experience in Histology and IHC
• Strong skills across embedding, microtomy, staining and digitisation
• Confidence leading teams and mentoring others
• Experience in UKAS-accredited labs and audit prep
• Advanced troubleshooting and quality control skills
• Excellent data analysis, documentation, and communication abilities
• Passion for innovation and a commitment to patient care through diagnostic excellence

Note: This job description is not exhaustive but an indication of the type and range of tasks that are expected of the postholder, and other duties may be required, in line with the role. A full job description will be made available before the interview.

Diagnexia is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to the principle of equality. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, religious beliefs, political views, gender identity, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, family or marital status including pregnancy, disability, membership of the travelling community or any other classification protected by applicable law.