Job vacancy: Advanced Biomedical Scientist – Molecular Lead, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 317 Trustwide

Job summary

Main area: 317 Microbiology - Corporate
Grade: Band 7
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 317-2026-09-18-DR-A

Employer: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Trustwide
Town: 317 Trustwide
Salary: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 16/04/2026 23:59
Interview date: 08/05/2026

Advanced Biomedical Scientist – Molecular Lead

Band 7

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS hospital trusts in the country. We have around 16,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.7 billion.

With strong history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation regionally, nationally and internationally, we’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country.

As well as providing a wide range of hospital and community services, we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The department of Microbiology and Virology is made up of several specialist sections as shown in the organisation chart and the jobholder will contribute to the provision of an effective clinical diagnostic testing and advice service to the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, General Practitioners and other legitimate users of the service.
This will involve assisting an Operational Site Manager with operational continuity by supervising, organising, and directing Biomedical Scientists and Healthcare Science Practitioners (HCSPs), maintaining work standards and day to day performance
Leading and participating in the practical work in the designated section and imparting specialist knowledge in clinical technical situations is also required.
To provide specialist scientific knowledge and to work as a member of the team to assess, plan and contribute to the provision of a specialised service.
To supervise and participate in the practical work of the section including reception, sorting, numbering, booking in and analysis of samples, including interpretation of clinical details and deciding which investigations are most appropriate, and any associated recording or data entry.
To ensure appropriate laboratory diagnostic tests are performed and results validated using judgement and expertise.
To interpret laboratory results and apply these to ensure individual patient needs are met.
To participate in the section Quality Assurance programmes, investigate situations and instigate remedial action and to report such events to the Laboratory Management Team.
To support the Laboratory Management Team in maintaining accreditation status (UKAS, HTA, MHRA, HSE)
There may be a requirement for Advanced BMS grades to rotate through different sections.
To work in compliance with local health and safety rules to ensure a safe working environment. To adhere to department and Trust Health and Safety policies (including COSHH, Risk assessments and Standard Operating Procedures) and to report any non-compliances to the Department Health and Safety Officer.
To ensure the section has adequate supplies of consumables and that equipment is in good working order.
Practical and theoretical training and supervision of BMS and HCSP staff, Students, Junior Doctors and other visitors.
To ensure effective communication within the department and liaise with external colleagues such as the Public Health Field Epidemiologists and National Surveillance Programme Data Analysts
The Advanced BMS will participate in the department out of hour’s rotas. They will be asked to provide cover for Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties in the department as required.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria

BSc in Biomedical Science or equivalent Qualification
Health & Care Professions Council registration
Completion of the IBMS Specialist portfolio or equivalent experience at specialist level in Microbiology or Virology
Level 7 qualification (MSc, IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or NSHCS Scientist Training Programme)

Desirable criteria

Experience and/or qualification in leadership and management

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

Previous experience and knowledge in Serology or Virology gained as a Biomedical Scientist
Experience of training and assessment
Experience in Quality Management Systems (Audit, EQA & IQC)
Experience of maintaining and troubleshooting equipment
Good general computer literacy, including familiarity with Windows and common applications
Willingly accepts responsibility and takes control of situations.

Desirable criteria

Use of bespoke IT software packages for example analyser middleware systems
Experience in Research and Development
Familiarity with current UKAS accreditation standards

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

Effective communication skills
Evidence of effective leadership skills
Strong analytical, organisational and planning skills
Able to understand complex problems quickly and to identify workable solutions
Ability to multitask
Good hand eye co-ordination
Able to effectively communicate complex issues both verbally and written.
Able to act independently and use initiative
Able to delegate and share knowledge.

Desirable criteria

Keyboard and IT related skills

Important note on completion of reference section of Application Form

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.