Principal - 1 Clinical Scientist

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Principal Clinical Scientist to join the Clinical Biochemistry team in the Department of Blood Sciences, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals. The department is located across two sites at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the city centre and the Freeman Hospital to the North East of the city.

The Trust is one of the largest providers of specialist clinical services in the country. It is supported by a UKAS-accredited Blood Sciences Department with a wide range of specialist sections including Special Chemistry which provides a range of assays using LC-MS/MS, HPLC and ICP-MS, SAS Endocrinology, Metabolic and Newborn Screening, Maternal Serum Screening, Flow Cytometry, Proteins and Immunology and Special Haematology as well as Core Biochemistry, Core Haematology and Blood Transfusion on both sites. Many services are provided to the other trusts within the region as well as to centres throughout the UK and overseas. In addition, support is provided for research and development including collaboration with local clinicians and universities.

The successful candidate will be based primarily at the Freeman Hospital, although cross-site working will be required. They will provide support for Core Biochemistry and develop experience in Specialist Endocrinology and Special Chemistry and participate in the duty biochemist rota.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will provide support for Core Biochemistry, including method validation and verification, troubleshooting, QA support and clinical liaison.

The post-holder will work with the Special Chemistry and SAS Endocrine teams, helping with service development, authorising reports and liaising with service users.

The post-holder will be part of the departmental Duty Biochemist team, working with a team of seven other clinical scientists and three consultant chemical pathologists as well as a number of scientists and clinicians in training. This includes participation in the Duty Biochemist rota, authorising results generated throughout the biochemistry department and liaising with clinical services.

They will contribute to leadership, quality management, governance, service development and staff training within the department.

Training for the specialist aspects of the role will be provided as required with support for career progression including for further FRCPath examinations.

Appointment to this post will require completion of FRCPath part 1. Candidates who are working towards this examination are welcome to apply as they may be considered for appointment to Band 7, with automatic progression to Band 8a within 12 - 18 months upon completion of FRCPath part 1.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Band 8a

• To assist in delivery of a quality, cost effective and patient focussed service from a combination of specialist areas within the department.
• To provide highly specialised advice and interpretation, and to perform final authorisation of patient reports for hospital and primary care clinical staff.
• To carry out research, development and audit in the field of clinical biochemistry.
• To be departmental Duty Biochemist in a rota with other scientific and medical staff.
• To provide scientific supervision of work within specialist departmental teams which may include: Endocrine, Core Automated, Proteins, Special Chemistry, Newborn/Maternal Screening, Paediatrics and Point of Care Testing (POCT).
• To perform specialised, nationally accredited analyses on body fluids, sometimes involving direct patient contact.
• To maintain standards and effect improvements to the service.

Band 7

As a state registered Clinical Scientist:

• To assist in delivery of a quality, cost effective and patient focussed service from a combination of specialist areas within the department.
• To provide highly specialised advice and interpretation, and to perform final authorisation of patient reports for hospital and primary care clinical staff.
• To carry out research and development and audit in the field of clinical biochemistry.
• To be departmental Duty Biochemist in a rota with other scientific and medical staff.
• To perform specialised, nationally accredited analyses on body fluids,sometimes involving direct patient contact.
• Interview Date Friday 16 October 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.