Principal Clinical Scientist

Principal Clinical Scientist in Cancer Genomics - AfC Band 8A
The closing date is 24 August 2026

Job summary
An opportunity for a fixed term 8A Clinical Scientist post has arisen in the Haematological Malignancy team in the South West Cancer Genomics service to cover a maternity leave.

Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) hosts a fully integrated Cancer Genomic service delivering all Cancer Genomic testing for the South West Genomics Laboratory Hub (SWGLH). We are seeking a motivated, highly qualified and ambitious individual with experience in Cancer Genomics (Solid tumour or Haematological Cancer) to play a key leadership role within our busy and friendly team.

Please see this short video showcasing Pathology at NBT.

Main duties of the job
Clinical Scientist Band 8A - key member of operational management team responsible for day to day delivery of a Cancer section and other services as appropriate. Successful applicants must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a clinical scientist and have an upper second or first class honours degree and/or higher degree in a relevant scientific subject. Possession of FRCPath Part One is required. Good communication, team working and supervisory skills are also essential.

The post-holder will be responsible for leading a team of scientists delivering Haematological services within the Cancer team. Considerable experience of the analysis, interpretation and authorisation of clinical reports using cytogenetic methods, NGS as well as more targetted techniques is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will be expected to work 37 1/2 hours per week full-time over 7 days a week, including participation in regular weekend and out of hours working.

Applications from part-time applicants will also be considered.

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Details
Date posted: 03 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 339-CCS1154-BAL
Job locations: North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Leadership and Management

• To take responsibility for the running of a section or sub-section of the laboratory
• To develop and improve existing services by continual review of quality, productivity and efficiency
• To actively participate in business and operational planning of the service within the framework of directorate and departmental objectives, including service redesign.
• To ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all results leaving the section.
• To co-ordinate the workload of the section and collaborate with other heads of sections to ensure that the workload of the laboratory is efficiently and fairly allocated. This includes monitoring the workload of staff in the section and responding to events to ensure that a high quality service is maintained within professional guidelines.
• Working with others, to establish team objectives and review workloads, throughput, work rate, staff absence, training and development.
• To participate in the recruitment and selection of staff
• To undertake other appropriate duties as delegated by the Head of Department.

Clinical

• To provide a high level of personal scientific skill and expertise in the processing and interpretation of the full range of routine and specialised investigations and procedures relevant to the section
• To discuss highly complex results of tests and issue appropriate clinical advice to referring clinicians
• To prepare, authorise and issue appropriate clinical reports including those of a highly complex nature.
• To provide a high level of expertise in the processing of patient samples and the specialist interpretation of complex test results
• To ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all patient results.
• To manage the quality and efficiency of the scientific and technical work of the staff of the section to ensure that appropriate procedures for receipt, processing, analysis and interpretation and reporting of findings are employed.
• To maintain continued professional development to an adequate level.
• To attend multidisciplinary meetings with clinicians and pathologists to discuss clinical issues.

Clinical Governance

• To provide a clinical service within the designated section ensuring that the service meets established high quality demands for safety and patient care.
• To ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of a UKAS ISO 15189 (2012) accredited laboratory under the direction of the Head of Department.
• To actively participate in the preparation of the department for UKAS accreditation. This will include setting and delivery of objectives in conjunction with the Head of Department and the quality lead.
• To participate in the organisation and monitoring of internal and external quality control procedures. This includes clinical audit, incident investigation and reporting, and participation in the relevant UKNEQAS, EQMN and EuroMRD schemes, discussing and taking action upon outcomes in conjunction with other staff and reporting to the Head of Department.
• To ensure a functioning risk management and risk reporting strategy within the section which includes health and safety, quality management, training, recruitment, internal quality control, patient and laboratory records, reporting to the Head of Department.

Education And Training

• To contribute to teaching or training of other health care professionals and students.
• To liaise with others as appropriate in the organisation, delivery and supervision of teaching and training of the scientific and technical staff of the section and laboratory.
• To ensure the organisation and delivery of induction and training programmes for staff new to the section.
• To participate in and undertake staff appraisal and performance reviews of staff within the section
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through participation in the RCPath CPD scheme, maintaining a portfolio that reflects personal development and ensures scientific and managerial knowledge is updated in order to improve the service for its users
• To evaluate, advise and disseminate information and education resources as appropriate.

Research and Development

• Making recommendations on clinical protocols, local policy and implementation of these
• Evaluation of published developments and innovations.
• undertake development including the evaluation and introduction of new technologies and/or new ways of working relevant to the section; contributes to academic research.
• Supervise staff undertaking R&D activities

Policy

• Assist and contribute to the formulation of policies, protocols, standard operating procedures and codes of practice for the service
• To maintain awareness of, and disseminate to others, Trust and departmental Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• To manage internal grievance and disciplinary incidents/situations in accordance with the Trust policy and procedures
• To ensure that all local and national policies, codes of practice, and statutory regulations pertaining to the section are implemented, advising and assisting senior management as required.

Other

• The post holder will provide Clinical Scientist out of hours support as deemed necessary
• This job description will be reviewed as part of staff appraisal
• The post holder may be required to assume responsibility for other laboratory sections or areas of service within area of expertise as required during the absence of senior staff as directed by the Head of Department
• This job description is an outline of the current position and may be amended in detail or emphasis in light of future requirements for the service. All amendments and changes to the job description will be agreed with the post holder.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc (1st/2nd)
• HCPC Registered CS
• CPD

Desirable

• Other management qualification/formal Trust course
• Other courses relevant to clinical practice e.g. FRCPath preparation course
• FRCPath Part One
• FRCPath Part Two

Clinical Experience
Essential

• Evidence of up-to-date experience & knowledge of complex genetic investigations
• Evidence of report authorisation experience
• Experience of formal training e.g. STP DOPs/CBD, delivering seminars, managing training programmes

Desirable

• Research and development experience

Management/Leadership Experience
Essential

• Personal leadership of a section or laboratory disease service
• Experience of quality aspects ISO15189 & H&S requirements

Desirable

• Knowledge and participation in national policies and initiatives relating to NHS Genomics
• Verbal communication skills e.g. presentations, chairing meetings
• Line management experience incl. interpersonal experience, motivation of team, sickness and performance management etc

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address: North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Principal Clinical Scientist - Cancer Genomics
Paula Waits
View email address on meeveem.com
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