Senior Embryologist

JD Healthcare Group; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days leave

Life Assurance

Pension Plan

Nursery Scheme

MyGym discounts

Staff discounts

EV Car Scheme

Perkbox platform

Health & wellness programmes

Learning & development

Job summary

JD Healthcare Group in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Embryologist to lead advanced embryology in IVF laboratories. You will perform core procedures, supervise junior staff, and contribute to governance and development of laboratory practice.

HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist with 4–5 years post-registration experience is required, along with expertise in ICSI, embryo biopsy and vitrification, plus a strong documentation and QA mindset. Weekend rota flexibility is expected.

Qualifications

• Degree in Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related life sciences discipline.
• Minimum 4–5 years' experience as an embryologist in an IVF laboratory setting, with significant post-registration experience.
• Current, valid HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.
• Full competency across all advanced procedures including ICSI, embryo biopsy and vitrification.
• Proven ability to supervise and develop junior laboratory staff.
• Thorough knowledge of HFEA regulatory requirements and clinical governance standards.
• Strong attention to detail, with a rigorous approach to documentation, traceability and quality assurance.
• Effective communicator with the confidence to contribute to multidisciplinary clinical discussions and laboratory leadership.
• Flexible approach to working patterns, including weekend rota cover.

Responsibilities

• Perform and oversee all core and advanced embryology procedures, including oocyte retrieval preparation, IVF, ICSI and PICSI, embryo culture, assessment, biopsy, vitrification and warming
• Supervise, train and mentor junior embryologists and laboratory staff, supporting competency development, performance and professional growth
• Lead quality control and quality assurance initiatives, driving continuous improvement against laboratory KPIs and contributing to consistently strong patient outcomes
• Manage laboratory equipment, validation and maintenance, ensuring optimal environmental conditions and system reliability at all times
• Ensure full compliance with HFEA requirements and maintain accurate documentation and traceability across all laboratory processes
• Collaborate with clinicians and the wider multidisciplinary team to support treatment planning and provide expert clinical input where required
• Participate in research, audit and the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and protocols to advance laboratory practice
• Support rota coordination and contribute to the operational management of the laboratory, including cross-site working where applicable

Skills

Advanced embryology procedures

Staff supervision

Quality control & QA

Lab equipment management

Clinical governance

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Documentation & traceability

Flexibility with weekend rota

Education

Biology or life sciences degree

HCPC registration (Clinical Scientist)

Post-registration experience in IVF embryology

Job description

About Us

JD Healthcare Group is one of the UK's leading fertility and reproductive healthcare providers, operating brands including London Women's Clinic, London Egg Bank, London Sperm Bank, KindIVF, Surrey Park Women's Clinic and Elective Egg Freezing across the United Kingdom. Since 1985, we have been supporting individuals and families through some of the most significant journeys of their lives — combining world-class clinical expertise with genuine human care. Everything we do is driven by a shared purpose: helping people build the families they dream of.

About the Role

As a Senior Embryologist at JD Healthcare, you'll bring advanced technical expertise and clinical leadership to one of the most specialist roles in reproductive medicine. You'll perform and oversee the full range of embryology procedures — from ICSI and embryo biopsy to vitrification and warming techniques — while supervising junior colleagues, driving quality improvement and contributing to the strategic development of laboratory practice. This is a role with genuine breadth: hands‑on clinical excellence, mentorship, research and governance all come together here. If you're an experienced, HCPC-registered embryologist ready to take on greater responsibility, we'd very much like to hear from you.

What You Will Do

• Perform and oversee all core and advanced embryology procedures, including oocyte retrieval preparation, IVF, ICSI and PICSI, embryo culture, assessment, biopsy, vitrification and warming

• Supervise, train and mentor junior embryologists and laboratory staff, supporting competency development, performance and professional growth

• Lead quality control and quality assurance initiatives, driving continuous improvement against laboratory KPIs and contributing to consistently strong patient outcomes

• Manage laboratory equipment, validation and maintenance, ensuring optimal environmental conditions and system reliability at all times

• Ensure full compliance with HFEA requirements and maintain accurate documentation and traceability across all laboratory processes

• Collaborate with clinicians and the wider multidisciplinary team to support treatment planning and provide expert clinical input where required

• Participate in research, audit and the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and protocols to advance laboratory practice

• Support rota coordination and contribute to the operational management of the laboratory, including cross-site working where applicable

What We Are Looking For

Essential

• Degree in Biology, Biomedical Sciences or a related life sciences discipline

• Minimum 4–5 years' experience as an embryologist in an IVF laboratory setting, with significant post-registration experience

• Current, valid HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist

• Full competency across all advanced procedures including ICSI, embryo biopsy and vitrification

• Proven ability to supervise and develop junior laboratory staff

• Thorough knowledge of HFEA regulatory requirements and clinical governance standards

• Strong attention to detail, with a rigorous approach to documentation, traceability and quality assurance

• Effective communicator with the confidence to contribute to multidisciplinary clinical discussions and laboratory leadership

• Flexible approach to working patterns, including weekend rota cover

Desirable

• MSc or equivalent qualification in Reproductive Science or a related field

• RCPath, ESHRE or equivalent professional certification or progression towards it

• Experience in research, protocol development or implementation of new laboratory technologies

• Knowledge of emerging techniques and current advances in ART and clinical embryology

What We Offer

• 32 days annual leave including bank holidays

• Life assurance

• Pension plan

• Workplace Nursery Scheme

• MyGym discounts

• Staff treatment discounts

• EV Car Scheme and Cycle2Work

• Perkbox benefits platform

• Health and wellness programmes

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Equal Opportunities

JD Healthcare is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from all backgrounds.