About this role
Job summary
We are currently seeking a Biosample Practitioner to join our biosample team in the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre (CCTC). The CCTC is an exciting collaborative centre conducting research at all phases of clinical drug development and co-ordinates major multi-centre studies. Our goals are to improve outcomes for patients with cancer or at risk of developing cancer.
The CCTC accommodates around 100 research staff involved in the set-up, coordination and conduct of clinical and translational cancer research. The biosample team are a small team central to the work of CCTC who look after local aspects of sample management. This includes managing the processing, storage and shipment of biological samples for clinical trials, and working alongside trials nurses, practitioners, data managers and numerous teams around the hospital to ensure the delivery of a robust service.
Main duties of the job
This role will involve coordinating the sample related aspects of study set-up, production of SOPs, processing, storage and shipment of blood and other biological samples for research studies, ensuring that protocol requirements are followed.
There will be responsibility for all aspects of managing the oncology sample handling room and the laboratory equipment within it.
Other duties include liaising with couriers, external agencies, and clinical staff alongside research teams regarding all aspects of sample collection, storage and shipment for trials.
Management of sample kits and sample storage facilities and maintenance of logs.
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.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 28th June 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 10th July 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
Science degree or equivalent qualification Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
Postgraduate qualification in a biological science
Experience Essential
Experience in laboratory work involving human biological samples Record of developing and implementing quality management systems and processes Working within a multi-disciplinary team Liaison with external agencies to plan and/or negotiate workload Experience of working autonomously within guidelines and deadlines Experience of prioritising, planning and organising own tasks Experience of working in the NHS or other similar biological or scientific discipline
Desirable
Experience of working in a cancer related field Experience of sample storage management Experience of working in clinical trials environment Experience of working to Standard Operating Procedures Project management Experience of working in a patient facing role
Knowledge Essential
Safe use and maintenance of laboratory equipment e.g. centrifuges, automatic pipettes and -80C freezers Use of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel & Powerpoint Awareness of Data Protection Act and Data Confidentiality Able to contribute to assessing and suggesting changes to laboratory operating procedures Knowledge of medical terminology Sound understanding of ethical and quality standards applicable to clinical trials, including Good Clinical Practice and EU directive
Desirable
Knowledge of UK Human Tissue biobanking legislation and guidelines Awareness of the requirements of Good Clinical Practice and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice
Skills Essential
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Excellent negotiation skills Well organised with ability to multi-task and able to plan and prioritise own workload Accuracy in practical laboratory operations, numeracy and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to respond to the needs of the service Willingness to undertake further training to extend skill set Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time Well-developed physical skills, especially in the manipulation of pipettes and other laboratory equipment Demonstrable ability to be adept and precise when handling samples Able to organise, train and delegate to less qualified or less experienced colleagues. Ability to pay attention to detail with a high standard of accuracy and work to good documentation principles
Desirable
Phlebotomy skills Prior knowledge of EPIC Ability to use snap-freezing processes in handling of tissue samples.
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. Able to attend patient biopsy procedures Commitment to high quality care, putting the patient first in everything that we do, integrating clinical research with service provision Ability to work with minimal supervision Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines where there are competing demands Has an awareness of the cancer treatment journey of a patient, and has a patient centred 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
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)