About this role
Job summary
The Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research, based at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and led by Professor Nicholas Turner, is a world-renowned research centre dedicated to advancing translational breast cancer research. Our mission is to deliver practice-changing innovations in breast cancer treatment and management, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of care for patients.
The Centre's research focuses on:
- Personalising breast cancer therapies to improve treatment outcomes.
- Understanding intra-tumour heterogeneity and its role in the development of drug resistance.
- Developing and implementing assays for circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) and other non-invasive diagnostic approaches.
- Characterising molecular changes associated with hormone therapies.
- Identifying predictors of breast cancer recurrence risk.
The Centre has close collaborations with The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), combining world-leading scientific expertise with the pioneering clinical innovations of The Royal Marsden.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and detail-oriented Clinical Support Worker to join our team. Working under the supervision of senior scientific staff, you will provide essential laboratory support and contribute to cutting-edge breast cancer research.
The role will primarily involve the handling, processing, and tracking of tissue and blood samples collected from patients participating in clinical trials, ensuring specimens are prepared to the highest standards before analysis by our research scientists. Accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail are essential.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification
Key Responsibilities
- Receive, process, and store clinical trial tissue and blood samples.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and sample tracking documentation.
- Support smooth laboratory operations while adhering to established protocols.
- Ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practice and relevant quality standards.
- Handle human tissue samples in accordance with the Human Tissue Act and associated regulations.
- Work closely with scientific staff to support a wide range of translational research projects.
About YouApplicants should have
- GCSEs and/or A-levels, including a science subject.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- The ability to follow standard operating procedures accurately and consistently.
- Good communication and team-working skills.
- A commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.
- Previous laboratory experience is desirable but not essential.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to internationally recognised breast cancer research and support studies that could change clinical practice and improve patient care worldwide.
Person Specification
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to communicate clearly
- Ability to write clearly
- Possess basic IT skills
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations
Desirable
- Good knowledge of Microsoft 365 suit
- Basic educational qualification in mathematics
- Observant of detail, ability to make basic judgement decisions
- Ability to prioritise tasks and organise daily work
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to undertake a support role
- Able to follow written instructions
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Willingness to respond to direction
Desirable
- Enthusiasm for job
- Confidence within parameters of role
Specific Experience
Essential
- Good basic education to include GCSE / O Levels / A Levels
- Willing to undergo relevant training
- Experience of working in a relevant laboratory
- Able to understand and follow Standard Operating Procedures
- Ability to follow laboratory H&S practice
Desirable
- Interest in working to higher level of qualification
- Understands need to work to deadlines and is able to do so
- Understanding of need for service quality
- Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical research and practice
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
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea
Chelsea
SW3 6JJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden (Opens in a new tab)