Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Junior Biomedical Scientist (no Biomedical scientist State Registration needed) to be part of our Integrated Pathology Unit team as a maternity cover.
The successful applicant will have a practical knowledge and some experience of histology related lab procedures, including Cutting FFPE samples, staining sections for HE and an understanding of tissue preparation for molecular analyses. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential for the role and advanced computer skills would be an advantage but not essential.
For further information please contact Dr Marta Vergnano (Operational Manager marta.vergnano@rmh.nhs.uk)
Main duties of the job
Histopathology is the basis of cancer diagnosis and a critical part of cancer research. We are recruiting a highly motivated junior biomedical scientist to support all aspects of histopathology related to a range of research projects as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the Integrated Pathology Unit. The role will work alongside a team of fellow Histopathology based junior biomedical scientists.
The Integrated Pathology Unit is mainly based in the Centre for Molecular Pathology on the Sutton site of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. However, the post holder may be required to perform duties at the Chelsea site, but most of the activities are expected to be carried out in the Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) in Sutton.
The holder of the post is expected to perform a variety of tasks that may include, but are not restricted to:
- Sectioning blocks of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) material
- Sectioning for nucleic acid extraction (i.e. DNA/RNA)
- Tissue micro-array preparation
- Tissue embedding
- Haematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information, please refer to the job description and person specification.
The post will be based in the Centre for Molecular Pathology (CMP) in Sutton.
The work will include:
- Sectioning of FFPE blocks and preparation for molecular analyses
- Tissue Micro-array generation
- Sectioning for Spatial Genomics
- H&E staining
- Quality Assurance and Checks
- Digitisation of pathology slides
- Conventional and multiplex immunohistochemistry
- Other appropriate duties in line with research strategy
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.
Person specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Possess a flexible, responsible and enthusiastic attitude to work
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Self-motivated and able to work unsupervised
- Willing to undergo relevant training if needed as well as keep up with professional development & innovations
- Displays excellent written and oral communications skills
- Adheres to agreed working hours and is punctual
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Experience of working in all areas of relevant routine or research laboratory, following SOPs and health & safety policies
- Ability to conduct work independently, scheduling experiments in a timely manner, according to a protocol.
- Ability to work in line with deadlines, as necessary, and prioritise workload effectively
- Detail-oriented and ability to troubleshoot daily problems
- Good knowledge and practical application of main Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, Power Point).
- Experience and expertise in sectioning FFPE blocks and in H&E staining
Desirable
- Basic understanding of microscopy, digital image capturing, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology methods
Specific Experience
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree level of education relevant to the role
- Understanding of need for service quality & compliance with SOP’s and relevant standards
- Understanding & experience of handling sensitive information
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Junior Biomedical Scientist with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in The Royal Marsden Hospital. It is listed as a Band 4 Health science services role. The advertised salary is £33,262 - £36,027 per annum. The contract type is 1 year (Fixed Term - Covering Maternity Leave)). The application deadline is 01 Sep 2026.
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