Clinical Scientist Graduate Trainee

Job details

• Job reference: 254181
• Salary: Band 6 (£43,231 - £52,679)
• Job closing date: 10/08/2026
• Job Type: Healthcare Sciences
• Location: NHS Lothian
• Employment type: Fixed-term
• Hours Per Week: 36
• Job posted date: 20/07/2026
• Employer (NHS Board): NHS Lothian
• Department: Laboratory Medicine

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

Molecular GeneticsService

Department of Laboratory Medicine

Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian

Clinical Scientist Graduate Trainee; Pre-registration band 6, Genomics (Molecular Genetics)

3 year Fixed-Term Post

Band 6: Full-time post 36 hours per week; part-time applicants will be considered

£43,231- £52,679 (pro rata for part-time)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join the Molecular Genetics Service at NHS Lothian as a Clinical Scientist trainee. The service is currently based at the Western General Hospital, with a planned relocation to the Lauriston site in 2028.The laboratory forms part of the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine funded by Public Services Division to deliver Molecular Genetic testing in Scotland.

Applications are welcomed from scientists holding a first or upper second class BSc Honours Degree or international equivalent in Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related and relevant Medical Laboratory Science, with strong interpersonal skills, and experience in both a research environment and a clinical laboratory setting, ideally a Molecular Genetics lab. Candidates must be able to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The successful applicant will ideally have some prior experience in molecular genetic techniques such as PGT-M, trio exome analysis, and variant interpretation, but will also receive training in a broad range of laboratory techniques, including PCR, Sanger sequencing, and Next Generation Sequencing. Training will also be provided in the analysis and reporting of genetic results, performance of assay QC checks, troubleshooting assay failures, and the development of new laboratory tests. The successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of the laboratory quality management system, such as technical and clinical audits, assay validation and verification, and ensuring appropriate maintenance of laboratory equipment.

The successful candidate will be given the training and support required to apply for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, if combined with previous experience and qualifications, they meet registration criteria.

We are committed to continuous professional development (CPD) and offer an active CPD programme to all staff. This post offers excellent opportunities to broaden experience within a molecular genetics laboratory and to develop skills in both training and service development.

For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions, please contact: David Moore (Principal Clinical Scientist): David.Moore@nhs.net or Vicky Cloke (Clinical Scientist): Victoria.cloke@nhs.scot

Please note: If this is part-time, the salary will be pro-rata.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application—but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you—not an AI tool.

Molecular GeneticsService

Department of Laboratory Medicine

Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian

Clinical Scientist Graduate Trainee; Pre-registration band 6, Genomics (Molecular Genetics)

3 year Fixed-Term Post

Band 6: Full-time post 36 hours per week; part-time applicants will be considered

£43,231- £52,679 (pro rata for part-time)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join the Molecular Genetics Service at NHS Lothian as a Clinical Scientist trainee. The service is currently based at the Western General Hospital, with a planned relocation to the Lauriston site in 2028.The laboratory forms part of the Scottish Strategic Network for Genomic Medicine funded by Public Services Division to deliver Molecular Genetic testing in Scotland.

Applications are welcomed from scientists holding a first or upper second class BSc Honours Degree or international equivalent in Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related and relevant Medical Laboratory Science, with strong interpersonal skills, and experience in both a research environment and a clinical laboratory setting, ideally a Molecular Genetics lab. Candidates must be able to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The successful applicant will ideally have some prior experience in molecular genetic techniques such as PGT-M, trio exome analysis, and variant interpretation, but will also receive training in a broad range of laboratory techniques, including PCR, Sanger sequencing, and Next Generation Sequencing. Training will also be provided in the analysis and reporting of genetic results, performance of assay QC checks, troubleshooting assay failures, and the development of new laboratory tests. The successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of the laboratory quality management system, such as technical and clinical audits, assay validation and verification, and ensuring appropriate maintenance of laboratory equipment.

The successful candidate will be given the training and support required to apply for registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council, if combined with previous experience and qualifications, they meet registration criteria.

We are committed to continuous professional development (CPD) and offer an active CPD programme to all staff. This post offers excellent opportunities to broaden experience within a molecular genetics laboratory and to develop skills in both training and service development.

For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions, please contact: David Moore (Principal Clinical Scientist): David.Moore@nhs.net or Vicky Cloke (Clinical Scientist): Victoria.cloke@nhs.scot

Please note: If this is part-time, the salary will be pro-rata.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.