Laboratory Manager

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) is looking for a motivated, ambitious and dynamic Laboratory Manager to lead day-to-day laboratory operations in Research and Development Sample Services (RADSS). This is a 12-month fixed term, full-time post, with a view to extension subject to funding.

RADSS brings together Tissue Access for Patient Benefit (TAPB), the RFL Biobank and the Sample Processing Laboratory. We support academic, NHS and commercial studies, from spin-out companies to major pharmaceutical partners. All clinical trial samples taken at the RFL Trust pass through the Sample Processing Laboratory, which processes, stores and ships them.

Samples are donated by patients who have given informed consent for research. You will help ensure every sample is used only within the scope of that consent and ethical approvals, and is handled with dignity and respect, accurately recorded, securely stored and link-anonymised, in line with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

You will turn the service's strategy into daily delivery, supervise a team of Band 4 to 6 laboratory staff, own Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments, contribute to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) accreditation and help implement our informatics strategy.

You will have biobank or research laboratory experience, working knowledge of the Human Tissue Act and Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and experience of managing a team.

The Laboratory Manager will lead day-to-day laboratory operations within RADSS, reporting to the TAPB Manager and the GCLP and Cryogenic Storage Manager.

Main duties:

Oversee the processing, storage and shipment of human samples in line with study protocols, the Human Tissue Act 2004, GCP and UK GDPR.

Ensure consent is in place before any sample is handled, and maintain sample integrity, traceability and link anonymisation.

Write and maintain SOPs and risk assessments, including for liquid nitrogen.

Develop and validate new laboratory methods.

Manage Band 4 to 6 staff: rotas, absence, appraisals, competency and training.

Act as operational contact for studies, monitoring timelines and risks.

Coordinate study set-up, costing and feasibility, and UN3373-compliant shipping in the UK and abroad.

Contribute to GCLP accreditation and to implementing informatics strategies that increase efficiency.

Life science degree and an MSc or equivalent specialist experience; PhD desirable.

Substantial experience in a human biomedical or clinical research laboratory, including blood, tissue and cryogenic storage.

Experience of managing staff in a GCP or other regulated environment.

Sound knowledge of the Human Tissue Act 2004, UK GDPR and research governance.

Strong organisation, attention to detail and communication skills.

Desirable: commercial research, quality accreditation (GCLP, ISO 15189) and UN3373/IATA transport.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.