About this role
Job summary
Applications are invited from Biomedical Scientists with extensive, post-HCPC registration histology or neuropathology technical experience to join the small but busy Cambridge Brain Bank (CBB) team at CUH.
CBB provides high quality CNS tissues for neuroscientific research from consented brain donors.
The ideal candidate is highly motivated, well organised, a good communicator and has great attention to detail. This is an exciting opportunity to build on your team leading skills and expand your histology experience to include further training in brain anatomy, dissection and sampling to support tissue requests for research.
The technical support required for research requests is bespoke and often complex but is rewarding particularly when the CBB is acknowledged in publications.
Main duties of the job
To practice as an advanced biomedical scientist with special responsibility for leading the Cambridge Brain Bank (CBB) in the collection and provision of CNS material for research.
The role will involve the receipt, handling, sampling and histological preparation of CNS tissues from whole brain donations. The preparation, storage, distribution and respectful disposal of tissues must comply with Human Tissue Authority legislation and guidance stipulated by the CUH Human Tissues Management Committee, Trust and Pathology governance and research ethics committees.
The CBB team leader manages the technical staff and workload to ensure
a high quality and timely histology-based technical service is maintained the correct documentation for research requests is in place accurate records are maintained to demonstrate traceability of the storage, preparation and release of post mortem material for research clear and effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders and researchers (based locally, nationally and globally)
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.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 28th May 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 5th 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
HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist Hold or working towards a post graduate qualification e.g. MSC, FIBMS or equivalent, with an emphasis on cellular pathology Evidence of CPD
Desirable
Hold or working towards a qualification that supports management responsibilities such as a certificate in Leadership, Quality Management or Training GCP training or certification
Experience Essential
Substantial post HCPC registration experience of histopathology techniques including cryotomy, immunohistochemistry and tissue dissection Previous relevant experience of working in a healthcare sector Experience of supervising and training staff of different grades Experience of working with information management systems / databases and quality management systems
Desirable
Previous NHS laboratory experience Previous neuropathology experience Previous team leader experience Previous research experience Previous experience of performing non-conformity / incident investigations, risk assessments and audit. Epic or Q-Pulse experience
Knowledge Essential
Theoretical knowledge of specialised histopathology techniques Demonstrable knowledge of the Human Tissue Act and Human Tissue Authority standards with respect to research
Desirable
Knowledge of ISO 20387:2018 Biobanking Knowledge of ethical approval for research
Skills Essential
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Excellent organisational skills and ability to work without direct supervision. Interpretation and analytical skills Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team or independently Able to prioritise own workload and that of others to meet needs of the service Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time High degree of manual dexterity to perform complex laboratory techniques Keyboard and IT skills
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. Motivated, dependable and enthusiastic. Friendly and approachable. Ability to cope under pressure. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the service.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division R&D
1000 Discovery Drive, Level 4, Dame Mary Archer Way, Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)