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Job summary

Main area
Adiministration
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
12 months (Fixed term: 12 months)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
282-CR785
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden Sutton
Town
Sutton
Salary
£32,199 - £34,876 PER ANNUM
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
27/08/2025 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Biological Specimen Coordinator

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

WTE 37.5 Hours Per Week Fixed Term for 12 months.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is one of the world’s leading cancer research centres. The Trust works in partnership with The Institute of Cancer Research to produce high quality basic research, translational studies and clinical trials with the aim of developing better treatments for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide.

As a result of unit expansion and portfolio development an exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 4 Biological Specimen Coordinator, within the haematology research department to work across our Sutton and Chelsea branches. 

This is a pivotal role and you will be part of a multidisciplinary team including experienced medical and research staff, taking part in an exciting range of clinical research studies. Ideally with previous clinical research experience, you will work within the guidelines and policies for the conduct of clinical trials, ensuring high standards of practice in accordance with the principles of GCP.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Carol Pearce - Senior Biological Specimen Coordinator on 0208 916 6780

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work within the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Tissue Collection Facility and be responsible, in conjunction with the other Biological Specimen Coordinator(s) within the Haematology Unit for collecting, logging, and processing clinical samples (usually tumour and blood specimens) belonging to the Haematology Clinical Trials Unit.

The post will be responsible for developing, implementing, and reviewing tracking systems for all tissue samples coming through the unit and will ensure all procedures meet with Human Tissue Act (HTA) requirements and Good Clinical Practice UK Regulations for hosted commercial/academic studies as well as all tissue retrieved for central review from all participating centres in the UK and globally for the Trusts sponsored studies running through the Haematology Unit.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

  •  To ensure the timely and efficient collection of tissue and fluid samples
  •  To send and retrieve samples from external Biobank facilities
  • Distribute samples to research groups, laboratories, commercial and academic sponsors
  • To ensure samples are packed, labelled and handled appropriately, according to IATA specification.
  •  Ensure the dispatch and retrieval of samples ambient or frozen (using dry ice) as requested via external courier services
  • Retrieval of samples nationally and internationally and coordinating the receipt of these samples in a timely fashion to meet research study time points for central interim and final analysis as well as treatment decisions and diagnostic purposes.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to A-level or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Biomedical Science degree or equivalent experience
  • Technical qualification in pathology/histopathology

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable laboratory experience in the techniques listed in the job description.
  • Experience of working in a laboratory environment (preferably within a clinical/ hospital setting)
  • Experience of database management

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Desirable criteria
  • Venepuncture and/or cannulation skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDApprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into health

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties 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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Karyn Wright
Job title
Senior Research Nurse
Email address
[email protected]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Recruitment Support Team
Telephone
01629 690825
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