Laboratory Technical Specialist

Salary: £31,236 to £32,080 with progression to £34,610 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 09 October 2025

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Laboratory Technical Specialist to join the Institute of Transplantation (IOT) Biobank at the Freeman Hospital, part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is an exciting opportunity to combine technical laboratory expertise with operational and compliance responsibilities in support of clinical biobanking and cutting-edge transplantation research.

You will support the IOT Biobank and contribute to the wider Transplant Immunology Research Group, as well as the NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit (BTRU) in Organ Donation & Transplantation — the UK’s leading transplant research unit influencing both national and international clinical practice. You will have opportunities to participate in national meetings such as the British Transplantation Society Annual Congress.

The role demands excellent communication, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive, collaborative approach. Some out-of-hours work may occasionally be required.

The post holder should hold a BSc within the field of biological sciences, an equivalent qualification or experience.

The role is fixed term, until 30 September 2026.

About us (optional) - If applicable brief information about the research group or department (NOTE:  Links to specific web pages in 'Weblinks' is preferred)

This post is based at the Institute of Transplantation (Freeman Hospital) within the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University. The IOT Biobank underpins world-leading research in transplantation immunology and organ preservation.

The post holder will also contribute to the NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation & Transplantation (BTRU), co-hosted with the University of Cambridge. The BTRU is dedicated to improving donor organ assessment and maximising graft survival, providing an exciting and collaborative environment at the forefront of UK transplant research, (https://odt.btru.nihr.ac.uk/).

This provides an exciting environment and supportive collaborative community. Further details about the group can be found on:

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/billscott3.html

Full Time

Further information can be obtained by contacting Miss Lucy Bates (IOT Biobank manager), lucy.bates@ncl.ac.uk

The Faculty of Medical Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award and is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion for all staff and students.  Applications for part time/flexible working are welcome; please state your desired working arrangements in your application.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains staff from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the community they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices. 

Please provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person’ by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require a DBS, Research Passport and a medical clearance before you can commence in the role

Key Accountabilities

• Provide general and specialist research support, including specimen/sample preparation
• Manage delegated laboratory and biobank spaces, ensuring compliance and safety
• Recruit patients and coordinate sample collection across clinical settings
• Track samples and manage databases, producing recruitment reports
• Maintain and implement procedures for safe and compliant working
• Design and deliver training on complex techniques and equipment
• Contribute to team meetings, process improvements and service development

The Person

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• Experience in a technical laboratory, biobank, or clinical trials setting
• Experience of patient contact
• In-depth knowledge of Health & Safety procedures, Human Tissue Act 2004, and Good Clinical Practice
• Strong communication and teamworking skills
• Ability to solve technical problems and work independently to deadlines
• Experience with NHS or research databases and sample tracking systems

Desirable

• Experience with Achiever or REDCap
• Ability to adapt to evolving research or service priorities
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills

Attributes and Behaviour

• Tact, diplomacy and the ability to handle sensitive situations
• Clear communicator and active listener
• Proactive team player with effective time and resource management skills
• Able to use feedback to improve processes and support others’ development

Qualifications

• BTEC HNC/HND, A-levels (or equivalent) in relevant discipline; or equivalent vocational training and significant relevant experience
• Professional registration with an accredited body (desirable, or willingness to work towards)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28620