VPD-HLRI CRF Laboratory Research Coordinator

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
VPD-HLRI CRF Laboratory Research Coordinator
The closing date is 19 November 2026
Apply for this job
Job summary
A new opportunity has arisen for a Laboratory Research Coordinator at the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute Clinical Research Facility (VPD-HLRI CRF)

The VPD-HLRI CRF is a partnership between Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to the delivery of cutting-edge clinical trials that foster high-impact discoveries with a direct influence on global cardiovascular and respiratory health.

In this role, the post-holder will act as the Laboratory Research Coordinator, responsible for the overall management and coordination of the sample processing rooms located within the VPD-HLRI CRF. This involves independently processing samples to support various projects, coordinating the transfer of samples to central or local laboratories, managing storage in accordance with the highest standards, handling administrative tasks to ensure laboratory compliance, and liaising with other teams and contractors to facilitate research activities. Ultimately, these responsibilities aim to support the development of both new and ongoing projects within the VPD-HLRI CRF.

We offer a friendly working environment and are committed to your career development with a range of training opportunities available to help you fulfil your potential.

You will be based at the VPD-Heart Lung Research Institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will work closely with VPD-HLRI CRF team members, clinical trial delivery staff and study sponsor representatives. They will be expected to operate with minimal supervision, demonstrating strong organisation and planning skills to manage their own work activities effectively. It includes

• Liaise with Sponsors, Clinicians, research team members, and ward staff regarding the collection of data and clinical samples for approved research projects.
• Receive, sort, label, and process samples, addressing issues such as mislabelled or missing specimens, performing pre-analytical procedures, and maintaining accurate study data documentation.
• Support the delivery of a comprehensive, high-quality service within the VPD-HLRI CRF and the R&D department, ensuring compliance with Trust Policies, SOPs, GCP, HTA (Human Tissue Act), GCLP, and all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Conduct scheduled internal audits, perform quality control checks on routine equipment, contribute to COSHH procedures and risk assessments, handle enquiries, and develop laboratory work schedules.
• Maintain regular communication and collaboration with relevant staff within the Royal Papworth Hospital, the University of Cambridge and external organisations.
• Contribute to the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of VPD-HLRI CRF Laboratory operations, policies, and SOPs, ensuring their alignment with R&D laboratory standards.

About us
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state-of-the-art hospital in Cambridge. We perform the most heart and/or lung transplants in the UK and carried out the UK's first successful heart transplant in 1979. It also offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.

Based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus the largest centre of medical research and health science in Europe the Trust is at the heart of treatments of the future. Royal Papworth became the first hospital trust in the country to be rated outstanding in all five areas assessed by the Care Quality Commission - a rating it still holds today. The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day-to-day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.

For a street view tour:

Details
Date posted: 09 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 1 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 175-2627-1891

Job locations
Heart and Lung Research Institute, Papworth Road, Cambridge Bio Medical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0AY, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
On this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about the hospital and full details about the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. Please include how you will meet the Trust Values Compassion, Excellence and Collaboration. If you would like more information about the role or working at Royal Papworth Hospital, please get in touch with the contact for this role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Educated to Level 4 qualification in a scientific discipline Higher Apprenticeship, HNC, Foundation Degree, Diploma or equivalent relevant experience

Desirable

• Science degree

Experience
Essential

• Experience of handling biological samples within a laboratory, clinical research or healthcare environment
• Experience of database systems
• Keyboard skills and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Good communication skills to deal with all client enquiries
• High level of accuracy and good attention to detail
• Good self-management and time management skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, laboratory quality standards or research governance principles acquired through formal training or equivalent practical experience
• Previous experience of working in an environment dealing with confidential data
• Knowledge of electronic medical record databases

Additional Criteria
Essential

• As well as being able to demonstrate examples of how they work in a way that is consistent with our values of compassion, excellence and collaboration the successful candidate will be able to clearly demonstrate a commitment to driving culture change through equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Treat hospital information confidentially
• Able to work as a member of a team within the department as well as manage own time and responsibilities
• A commitment to continued professional and personal development.

Desirable

• Assist in the training of other staff.

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Heart and Lung Research Institute, Papworth Road, Cambridge Bio Medical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0AY, United Kingdom
Employer's website:

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hiring Manager, Dorothee Koscielny-Lemaire, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)