Senior Healthcare Scientist

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in the UK seeks a Band 7 Senior Healthcare Scientist to oversee the stem cell transplantation service within the Cambridge Cellular Therapy Laboratory. The role involves leading change management, supervising staff, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Applicants must hold relevant qualifications and possess significant experience in cell therapy. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative therapies in a modern facility. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership and communication skills.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Reduced cost bus travel

Subsidised parking for eligible staff

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications relevant to cell therapy.
• Experience in cell therapy manufacturing required.
• Registration with the HCPC is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee routine stem cell transplantation service.
• Lead on change management and validation projects.
• Supervise and line manage staff members.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to supervise and train junior staff

Ability to work in an organized manner

Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills

Time management

Scientific critical thinking skills

Education

Relevant BSc or equivalent

Relevant MSc or equivalent

PhD

Job description

Overview

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 7 Senior Healthcare Scientist/Senior Scientist to join the Cambridge Cellular Therapy Laboratory (CCTL). Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, CCTL provides analysis, processing, cryopreservation and storage of cells for therapeutic use, and supports the delivery of CAR-T and other immune effector cell therapies. The lab is expanding into a new purpose-built facility within the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, featuring four state-of-the-art cleanrooms and capacity for Class 1 and Class 2 GMOs. CCTL works with academic and commercial partners to translate cutting-edge cell and gene therapy research into clinical practice. This role offers the chance to contribute to both routine clinical services and the development of novel therapies. Applicants should hold relevant postgraduate qualifications and have significant experience in cell therapy manufacturing and quality control, supported by strong communication, training and leadership skills.

Main duties of the job

You will oversee the routine stem cell transplantation service under the supervision of the Production Manager. Experience in compliance with regulatory bodies relating to tissue or cells for human use (HTA and JACIE) is desirable. Experience of working within a Quality Management System is required and you will aid the reporting, investigation and CAPA execution of Quality Events. You will lead on change management and validation projects. You will supervise and line manage staff members in a leadership role, assist the CAR T service and participate in the provision of other novel immunotherapies as they develop. Theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of stem cell processing is beneficial. A background in Cell Therapy, Manufacturing, Pharmacy, Haematology with Transfusion, Immunology, or Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics would be highly advantageous. The role will include working on human blood and tissues in a clean room environment and you will be required to assist in the management of the Liquid Nitrogen facility. Registration with the HCPC is desirable for this post. Key B7 roles and responsibilities will vary dependent on the post-holder registration status. Requirement to support the 24/7 on-call rota.

About us

Our Trust Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's 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.

Job responsibilities

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

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- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 12th February 2026

Interviews are due to be held week commencing 16th February 2026

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

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 caf, 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

• Relevant BSc or equivalent.
• Relevant MSc or equivalent.
• IBMS specialist portfolio, completion of STP training or equivalent Cell Therapy specialist training programme
• PhD.

Experience

• Experience in a laboratory such as Cell/Gene therapy, Blood Transfusion, Immunology, H&I, Pharmacy, or clinical manufacturing facility.
• Leadership / supervision of junior staff.
• Use of the laboratory information and quality management systems.
• Experience of change management, validation and designing workflows.
• Experience of pre-inspection audits or HTA/MHRA/JACIE inspection preparation and outcome management.
• Experience of a HTA/MHRA licensed laboratory.
• Proven workflow/ capacity management
• Working to cGMP
• Use of Ultra Low Temperature storage.
• Experience of out of hours working.
• Experience of working in a Clean Room environment or aseptic technique.

Knowledge

• Awareness of Quality Regulations in relation to processing of cells and tissue for human application (HTA/MHRA/JACIE).
• Fully Computer literate.
• COSHH and Risk Assessment procedures.
• Awareness of the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
• Understanding of how to effectively manage and implement change.
• Receipt, processing, cryopreservation, storage, issue of products for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• Q Pulse Quality Management System.
• Flow cytometry.
• Cell/Gene Therapy.
• Awareness of genetically modified organisms.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to supervise and train junior staff.
• Able to work both in a team and as an individual.
• Ability to work in an organised manner, to high standards and with a very high level of accuracy and precision.
• Good time management.
• Self-motivated.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods.
• The ability to problem solve and troubleshoot.
• Evidenced decision making skills with the potential for clinical impact
• Scientific critical thinking skills
• Ability to cope under pressure.

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.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust