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Job summary

Main area
Bacteriology
Grade
Band 7
Contract
12 months (Fixed Term 12 months)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
271-CCS-7189548
Employer
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£54,320 - £60,981 Inclusive per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Scientist (Sterile Site Infections - Metagenomics)

Band 7

Job overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Clinical Scientist to support further service development of our UKAS accredited Metagenomics Service.

This is an externally funded fixed term role for 12 months to evaluate and validate new metagenomics methods using nanopore long read sequencing in comparison to standard of care Illumina metagenomics, with a view to translating into routine service.

You will work in close collaboration with academic colleagues at UCL Institute of Child Health. This post will be well suited to Clinical Scientists with an interest in research and development with a clinical translational focus. Laboratory experience in NGS methods, such as Illumina and nanopore sequencing, is essential as you will be required to work independently to develop standard operating procedures within a robust quality assurance framework.

Main duties of the job

The main focus of the role is research and development to improve methods for diagnosis of infection using metagenomics, in collaboration with ICH colleagues. However you will be part of a team of supervising healthcare scientists with delegated responsibility for the department’s bacteriology PCR and sequencing and metagenomics services, who are responsible for training and supervision of scientific staff and clinical reporting of results. An eye for details and working in an organised manner is crucial to this role.

Working for our organisation

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we’ll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care 

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women’s networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team. 

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.  

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person specification

Combined Values

Essential criteria
  • Combined Values

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria
  • 1st or 2nd class BSc honours degree in relevant science
  • MSc in relevant clinical science, or close to completion of MSc
  • Completed STP Programme or STP equivalence
  • Health and Care Professions Council registered as Clinical Scientist
  • Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • In-depth knowledge of the day to day running of a diagnostic laboratory
  • Experience of validation and implementation of new molecular assays and equipment
  • Significant laboratory experience in performing molecular techniques, including: real-time PCR, Illumina or nanopore sequencing, Qubit and Tapestation,
  • Experience interpreting NGS data in a clinical context
  • Experience of participation in clinical or laboratory audit, reviewing and writing SOP’s
  • Experience of providing appropriate training to all members of staff
  • Knowledge of bacterial and viral causes of infection
  • Knowledge of the application of metagenomics to the diagnosis of infection
  • Experience of participation in research and development projects
  • Knowledge of Patient confidentiality and Data protection
  • Thorough knowledge of the quality processes in a clinical laboratory, in line with ISO-15189
Desirable criteria
  • Experience analysing and interpreting molecular bacteriology PCR and sequencing results, including 16S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing
  • Significant laboratory experience in performing molecular techniques, including: End-point PCR and Sanger sequencing
  • Experience in preparation of manuscripts for publication of research results

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Able to problem solve and troubleshoot
  • High degree of responsibility: able to work on own initiative without supervision
  • Well-developed communication skills (written and oral)
Desirable criteria
  • Awareness of Health & Safety Legislation

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoImproving working livesDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverCare quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Menopause Workplace Pledge

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people 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.

Application numbers

The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions where we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Julianne Brown
Job title
Principal Clinical Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02074059200
Additional information

Ex 5929

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