About this role
Job summary
Addenbrooke's Hospital is the Primary Treatment Centre for children's cancer across the East of England. We work closely with our 10 Shared Care Hospitals in the Region to provide equitable access to clinical trials for children with cancer and blood disorders.
The Paediatric Haematology & Oncology Team is seeking an enthusiastic team player to join us as a Biosample Assistant.
The successful candidate will provide support to the Research Team and Clinicians by requesting, receiving, shipping and tracking research samples according to trial requirements.
This role will involve liaising with relevant internal and external stakeholders to obtain relevant samples, ensuring they are processed and shipped as per the trial requirements, in a timely manner. The role will also involve the completion of data.
The successful applicant must complete GCP training and maintain their skills and knowledge.
Main duties of the job
To request, process, track and send research biological samples for Commercial and non-commercial clinical trials.
You will be responsible for the submission of sample related data using a variety of data capture tools. You will use effective communication with external agencies and internal teams to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data submitted.
We are looking for someone who is competent in the use of Microsoft Office, including excel and web-based databases.
You will need to demonstrate accurate attention to detail, problem-solving and use of initiative.
Previous experience within the NHS/Research would be desirable.
Please note this position is primarily admin based with some basic sample preparation prior to dispatch, however no analysis or interpretation is required.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular position.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 18th May 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on the 3th June 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to A level or NVQ level 3 Customer Service/ Business Admin /ITQ or equivalent.
Desirable
Secretarial qualification or equivalent. Science or healthcare qualification.
Experience Essential
Good experience of managing general administrative tasks in a busy environment. Prioritising, planning and organising own tasks. Working within guidelines and deadlines. Data entry experience and documentation. Experience of IT packages - Microsoft office. Willing ness to learn basic lab-based skill and sample handling.
Desirable
Previous experience of working in NHS. Previous experience of working with clinical trials. Previous experience of handling biosamples. Understanding of HTA, ethics and consent requirement for research sample collection.
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of confidentiality and data protection. Sound knowledge of office procedures. Good working knowledge of IT packages - Microsoft Office - particularly excel. Awareness of Good Clinical Practice and EU clinical trials directive.
Desirable
Knowledge of Trust information systems. Knowledge of Medical Terminology. Awareness of Human Tissue Act. GCP training certificate.
Skills Essential
Ability to work as part of a team. Excellent communication skills including telephone, email, face to face. Ability to organise and manage own time keeping to schedule and deadlines. Ability to use own initiative and work autonomously. Good organisational and administrative skills. Willing to take on/learn new skills. Ability to show attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to adapt to change. Ability to work under pressure. Ability to store and safeguard confidential documents. Ability to extract, analyse and interpret clinical information for trials/research purposes.
Additional Requirements Essential
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent. Has an awareness of the cancer treatment journey of a patient, and has a patient-centered approach to the handling of biological samples.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division R&D
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)