Clinical Research Assistant / Laboratory technician

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Clinical Research Assistant/ Laboratory technician to post to support a range of commercial research from the National Institute for Health (NIHR) Research Portfolio.

The appointee will work as part of a team across the South London Commercial Research Delivery Centre sites (including GSTT and Oxleas) and the laboratory setting at both Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich and University Hospital, Lewisham.

After appropriate training and demonstration of competence, they will run the research laboratory, ensuring samples are collected, processed, stored and shipped in accordance with study protocols under supervision, as well as handling issued reports to ensure a smooth transition of work between the laboratory and other areas within team.

In addition, the post holder will be required to undertake a number of other duties in different areas of the laboratory and research team such as preparing reagents, carrying out initial specimen preparation, creating and maintaining study logs and responding to queries. Alongside these core laboratory duties, the post holder will contribute to clinical trial delivery, supporting research activities, data recording and trial administration.

This is a cross site role and the post holder will be expected to travel across all Trust and South London CRDC sites as a core element of the role.

Please note this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Main duties of the job

• Support the delivery of clinical research studies by undertaking participant assessments and sample collection procedures in accordance with study protocols, Trust policies, and competency requirements.
• Process, label, store, and manage biological samples accurately and safely, ensuring compliance with study protocols, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.
• Coordinate sample transportation and shipment activities, including packaging, courier arrangements, and monitoring sample integrity throughout transit.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the research laboratory, maintaining equipment, stock levels, quality control processes, and a safe working environment.
• Maintain accurate research documentation and data records, ensuring timely and accurate entry into study databases, case report forms, and laboratory information systems.
• Support study set-up, recruitment, and trial delivery activities, including feasibility assessments, maintenance of study files, and liaison with investigators, sponsors, and support departments.
• Ensure compliance with research governance and regulatory requirements, including Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), the Human Tissue Act (HTA), Information Governance, and Data Protection regulations.
• Contribute to service development and continuous improvement, supporting audits, staff training, patient and public involvement initiatives, and the growth and successful delivery of the research portfolio.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached.

We reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, please apply early. We do not contact applicants with the outcome of the shortlisting. If you have been shortlisted, you will receive an invite to an interview.

As a local employer and anchor institution we work closely with our community to recruit locally and we welcome applications from the widest variety of people to ensure our workforce are reflective of the local communities which we serve. We encourage all suitable candidates to apply including if you are Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities, live with a disability (visible or not) or are LGBT+. We have a number of active staff networks including Disability, LGBT+, Multicultural Inclusion and Women’s staff networks to bring staff together and celebrate diversity across our whole workforce.

Please note: Information provided during recruitment and pre‑employment checks must be accurate. Misrepresentation may be investigated as fraud and could lead to withdrawal from the process, professional sanctions, or criminal action.

Please note: that sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route is subject to Trust allocation and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approval.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties 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.