Research Scientist jobs in United Kingdom

We are seeking experienced, HCPC registered Senior Biomedical Scientists with leadership skills to join our team at a senior level.

Applications are invited to these exciting posts within Tissue Sciences at the central Hub. This laboratory-based role will give you job satisfaction that comes from knowing that no two days are the same. You will be joining a group of Scientists who are experts in routine histology, Immunohistochemical, Renal histological and Molecular techniques.

The senior biomedical scientists assist the Operations Manager in the day-to-day running of the department and will be expected to undertake management of junior staff, recruitment, conducting appraisals and setting objectives (in communication with the Operations Manager).

Principle duties will include:

• Perform a range of specialised diagnostic histological tests and laboratory analysis on tissue specimens for the diagnosis of disease.
• To organise and supervise the laboratory team on a rotational basis within the department to ensure timely and high-quality laboratory processes.
• Participating in and promoting an effective Quality Management System in collaboration with the Quality Officers & Quality Manager.
• Training of laboratory staff and promoting personal development planning.
• Liaising with pathologists, clinicians and laboratory staff in other areas of the department and wider stakeholders to ensure a professional and efficient service.
• To continue with personal development through academic or practical experience.

The centrally located Hub laboratory processes over 100,000 surgical cases per year, making it one of the largest Histology pathology laboratories in the country. We provide Routine Histology as well as Advanced Diagnostics services. In the newly created Hub, we provide efficient diagnostic tests using state of the art laboratory equipment including digital pathology.

Your development and learning

You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.

Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.

At Synnovis, we are shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation involved moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. Histopathology completed its move to the Hub in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, in September 2025 with some work remaining in Essential Services Laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests including Frozen Section service for intraoperative procedures. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for a specialist area, providing specialised technical scientific services and communicating complex information that will aid and determine clinical diagnosis. Contribute to the development of specialist investigations, identifying better ways of working and finding efficiencies in service delivery. Manage day-to-day staffing with the Operations Manager to ensure all resourcing needs are met, manage workflow and relevant training to meet turnaround times, cover bench work and where required supervise others as part of early or late or weekend shifts. Take part in other activities such as audits, training, and potentially clinical trials as required.

Key Responsibilities

Analyse samples in line with local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including but not limited to recording results and necessary action on the Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), ensuring all Information Governance (IG) requirements are met. Maintain standards of conduct required by the HCPC to practice as a registered Biomedical Scientist. Provide technical advice to clinical colleagues as required and within limits of competency. Participate in the strategic development and service improvement of the analytical service, be responsible for the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and tests, as directed including all verification and validation work. Where necessary this will include analysing clinical trial samples. Ensure all incidents and events are correctly reported by junior staff in Q-Pulse quality management database and other relevant software and support them in learning quality procedures and investigations. In conjunction with the Quality team, monitor, report and action errors, hazards, and incidents logged in the CAPA module of Q-Pulse. This may include taking part in investigations of incidents and providing expert insight into making improvements based on outcomes. Participate in appropriate clinical audits as required and directed. Monitor, and report on EQA and IQC procedures and be responsible for correcting problems that have been identified. Ensure compliance with all regulatory and quality requirements of regulatory directives, accreditation bodies, and local management including: Care Quality Commission, UK, ASS, Synnovis policies and SOPs Any other body in area of responsibility Provide supervision for all employees, including participating in early, late and weekend shifts if necessary and as required. Line manage employees, as required. This includes delivering all aspects of people management, such as recruitment, performance management, absence management, learning and development, employee health and wellbeing. Encourage junior employees in their scientific expertise, knowledge and professional development, including the safe use of highly complex and sensitive equipment. Develop, prepare, write, and review relevant documents, including SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments in line with the ISO 15189 standard. Demonstrate ongoing laboratory-based competency against training plans. To educate, train and involve the laboratory staff in quality principles and practice. Ensure that all Synnovis policies and procedures are implemented and maintained. Demonstrate professionalism, patience and empathy when explaining complex subjects, and in particular when communicating with people who do not share same level of knowledge or understanding. Attend, and where required, chair regular departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department. Work closely with Operations Manager to ensure stock inventory compliance. Deputise for the Operations Manager including attendance at meetings, as required. Take part in CPD activities to ensure that your practices and knowledge are always relevant and up to date to your specific area.

Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust and Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London. The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare.

• BSc (Hons) IBMS accredited degree or equivalent
• HCPC State registration as a Biomedical Scientist
• Specialist portfolio in relevant discipline or equivalent experience (if HCPC Registration via IBMS Portfolio route) or FIBMS
• MSc or working towards MSc, FIBMS or equivalent experience in a similar role
• Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
• Quality or Management qualification
• Willing to work towards higher levels of professional practice
• IBMS membership

• Leadership qualities with experience of coaching, co-ordinating and managing a team
• Experience of supervising junior employees
• Experience in the education of physiology, pathology, and scientific principles relevant to specialism
• Experience in and ability to supervise analysis, interpretation and technical validation of routine, complex and specialist results
• Cultivating junior colleagues with skills in areas of interest or expertise such as Quality, Health & Safety, Training or IT
• Cultivating Specialist BMS with skills in research, clinical or analytical areas
• Acting as owner for escalation and communication to internal and external service users in validation of routine, complex and specialist results
• Lead in area of special interest and expertise in one or more areas of the laboratory, for example Quality, Health & Safety, Training or IT

• Advanced working knowledge of histological, immunocytochemical and molecular techniques.
• Well-developed physical skills, demonstrable ability to use precision equipment and consumables
• Manage the resolution of troubleshooting activity for highly technical and precision equipment and assays
• Ability to manage effectively in a changing dynamic environment with multiple conflicting priorities
• Ability to maintain focus and concentration for extended periods of time
• Knowledge of the correct policies and procedures to implement in relation to quality systems, with reference to ISO/UKAS
• Good awareness of current issues within pathology locally and nationally

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.

Depending on experience £56,276 to £63,176 per annum depending on experience