Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
About
On 1 January 2025 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust became one of the largest trusts in the UK following the acquisition of North Middlesex University Hospital.
Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation. Welcome to the Royal Free
Contact
- Address
- Royal Free London Foundation NHS Trust
- Recruitment Services
- 10th Floor Enfield Civic Centre
- Silver Street
- Enfield
- London
- EN1 3ES
- Contact Number
- 0203 758 2060
Band 7 Laboratory Manager
Accepting applications until: 25-Nov-2026 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 25-Nov-2026 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Hampstead
- Town
- london
- Postcode
- NW3 2QG
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (12 month with view of extension)
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £58,133 - £65,261 per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS AfC: Band 7)
Specialty
- Main area
- Clinical Research
Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.
Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.
Click here to view our video Welcome to the Royal Free
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring that its recruitment processes are carried out with integrity, transparency, and fairness for all applicants. To help maintain these standards, we ask candidates to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the recruitment process.
If incorrect or misleading information is identified, this may affect the progression of an application, any employment offer, or continued employment. As part of our due diligence, the company may verify the information provided by applicants and take appropriate action where necessary.
We do not charge applicants any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including applications, interviews, sponsorship arrangements, pre-employment checks, or employment offers. All vacancies are advertised through TRAC/NHS Jobs and candidates are assessed solely on their skills, qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role. If you are asked to make a payment in connection with an NHS job opportunity, please treat this as suspicious and contact the organisation directly using the details published on our official career's website
Applicants can refer to the Fraud Act 2006 for further information: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/contents
Job overview
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.
Advert
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.
Skills and experience sought:
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.
Working for our organisation
Working for your organisation
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.
For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description for more information about this role and working at royal free London NHS foundation Trust
- AT* - Apprenticeship Training. Where AT* is entered next to the job title indicates that this vacancy is for an apprenticeship role.
- By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we require you to complete your stat and Man e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.
- Some administrative recruitment activities may be undertaken using automated workflow and robotic process automation technologies. These tools assist authorised staff in processing recruitment records and employment checks but do not make decisions regarding your employment.
- If you are an EU/EEA citizen who does not have EU Settlement or Pre-Settled status, you will require a visa to work in the UK.
- You must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom or fully meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship; however, we can only consider these where all UKVI requirements are met. Before applying, please ensure that both you and the role satisfy the relevant UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) points‑based system criteria, as applications that do not meet these requirements cannot be progressed. For more information about the criteria, please click here
- If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a “selfie” using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
- The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
- The Trust will request a DBS (CRB) if post involves regulated activities. The Trust is compliant with the Disclosure and Barring Service Codes of practice and the Rehabilitation of offenders act.
- By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
- Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.
Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.
Please note:
- Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
- Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
- Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.
Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Education and professional qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc (Hons) or equivalent degree in a life science, biomedical science or related scientific discipline
- Master's degree (MSc) in a relevant life science discipline, or equivalent specialist knowledge gained through substantial relevant experience
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training certificate, or willingness to complete within 3 months of appointment
Desirable criteria
- PhD in a relevant life science discipline or equivalent experience
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to laboratory science or research management
Experience
Essential criteria
- Substantial post-qualification experience in a human biomedical or clinical research laboratory
- Experience processing, storing and shipping human biological samples (blood, tissue)
- Experience with cryogenic sample handling and storage, including use of liquid nitrogen
- Experience developing and implementing laboratory assay protocols and validation procedures
- Experience writing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions and risk assessments in a regulated laboratory
- Experience managing or supervising laboratory staff day to day, including rota management and performance oversight
- Experience working within clinical trials, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or other regulated research environments
- Experience of project monitoring, including tracking timelines, deliverables and study metrics
Desirable criteria
- Experience working with commercial research clients (spin-out companies, contract research organisations or pharmaceutical organisations)
- Experience preparing or contributing to progress reports for research sponsors or governance bodies
- Experience contributing to Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), ISO 15189 or equivalent quality accreditation
Skills and aptitudes
Essential criteria
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent studies and competing priorities
- Excellent attention to detail in documentation, sample handling and data recording
- Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements, SOPs and research protocols
- Knowledge of the Human Tissue Act 2004, UK GDPR and governance frameworks for research using human biological samples
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including conveying technical information to scientific and non-scientific audiences
- Competent with Microsoft Office and laboratory information management systems or equivalent databases
- Ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve laboratory and operational issues
Desirable criteria
- Familiarity with UN3373 and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations for transport of biological substances
Other requirements
Essential criteria
- Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities for vulnerable groups
- Ability to undertake occupational health clearance for work with human biological materials
- Willingness to work flexibly in line with study demands, including occasional early or late starts, and to travel between sites
Royal Free shared commitments
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust shared commitments
Personal qualities and attributes
Essential criteria
- Proactive and self-motivated, able to work independently and use initiative
- Collaborative and effective team worker with strong interpersonal skills
- Demonstrable leadership ability, including the ability to motivate, develop and support staff
- Commitment to continuous quality improvement and inspection readiness
- Resilience and ability to manage competing demands in a dynamic, complex research environment
- High degree of professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive patient and commercial information
- Curiosity and an innovative approach to improving laboratory processes and systems
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amir Gander
- Job title
- Head of Service
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07807 582 461
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