Specialist Biomedical Scientist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist to join our Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy Laboratory.

This is a highly specialised role within an established Haematology/Oncology stem cell transplant and cellular therapy programme. Working in an HTA-licensed and JACIE-accredited laboratory, you will help deliver a vital clinical service supporting patients receiving haematopoietic stem cell transplants and advanced cellular therapies.

The laboratory receives, tests, processes, stores and issues a wide range of cellular therapy products, including autologous and allogeneic haematopoietic progenitor cells. This includes products processed for cryopreservation, as well as fresh products issued directly for clinical use. The service also supports Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products, including CAR-T and TIL therapies, through the production of starting materials and the storage and issue of final products for patient treatment.

This is not a routine bench-based or research laboratory post. You will work across clean room facilities, cryogenic storage areas, and clinical environments, including wards and apheresis areas, to collect and deliver cellular products. This provides a unique opportunity to see the direct impact of laboratory work on patient care and to play an essential role in the treatment pathway.

For any enquiries about the post, contact Dr Lubinda Mbundi  Email: [email protected]

Main duties of the job

The post holder will participate in all aspects of the work of this specialist laboratory which provides a comprehensive service to the Haemato/Oncology transplant programme within the Trust. The cellular therapy laboratory team receives haematopoietic progenitor cells collected by apheresis, bone marrow and cord blood and processes and/or stores these for therapeutic use. Additionally, the laboratory calculates, processes and stores donor lymphocyte doses and is involved in clinical trials and treatments employing cellular therapies such as CAR-Ts. As a member of the laboratory team, the post holder will assist with cleaning and regular environmental testing of the clean room to ensure a suitable environment for the processing of stem cells and will also be involved in maintenance of the cryogenic facility. Traceability of cells from donor to recipient is of utmost importance so the post holder will be required to work with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.

The post holder will liaise with stem cell transplant programme clinical and ward staff, and work closely with colleagues in Immunophenotyping who perform stem cell enumeration and Microbiology who read environmental testing plates and cultures.

The transplant programme is accredited by JACIE and holds a Human Tissue Authority licence for human application. The post holder will be expected to participate fully in meeting regulatory requirements and contribute to quality improvement within the department

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification

To prepare for harvests expected to arrive in the laboratory

To collect harvested cells from the apheresis department or from theatres.

To receive frozen products from cord banks or other transplant centres

To receive fresh cells collected from donor centres around the world.

Receipt, testing, processing, cryopreservation, storage and issue of cellular therapy products

Working within clean room and controlled laboratory environments

Supporting the handling, storage and issue of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products

Maintaining compliance with HTA, JACIE and internal quality management requirements

Participating in cleaning, environmental monitoring, documentation, audits, equipment monitoring and quality improvement activities

Working closely with other healthcare scientist, clinical teams, nurses, pharmacists, transplant coordinators, pathology colleagues and the Immunophenotyping Laboratory

We welcome applications from newly HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists. Previous experience in stem cell transplantation, cellular therapy, transfusion, haematology, immunology, histocompatibility, clean room work, GMP environments or other relevant diagnostic laboratory settings would be advantageous, but is not essential. Full training will be provided to candidates with the right scientific background, attention to detail and commitment to patient-focused care.

The role requires excellent communication skills, strong organisational ability, a commitment to quality and safety, and the ability to work accurately within highly regulated procedures.

This is a rewarding opportunity to develop specialist skills in a growing and innovative area of laboratory medicine, while contributing directly to life-changing treatments for patients.