Principal Clinical Scientist – Rare Disease Genomics

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Principal Clinical Scientist – Rare Disease Genomics

The closing date is 03 December 2025

The Cambridge Genomics Laboratory, Lead Laboratory for the East Genomic Laboratory Hub, is looking to recruit a Principal Clinical Scientist (Band 8A).

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self‑motivated Clinical Scientist with scientific and operational experience of genomics laboratory testing to lead and manage a team. You will have extensive experience of analysing and interpreting genomic results alongside preparing and authorising clinical reports. You will have excellent communication, leadership, management and supervisory skills. You will be responsible for delivering a high quality service and expected to liaise closely with clinical colleagues and technical team members. You will be a key member of the rare disease management team and be responsible for the day‑to‑day delivery of a part of the rare disease service within the Cambridge Genomics Laboratory. In addition, you will contribute to quality management activities, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, alongside teaching and training commitments. Applicants should hold HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist.

Main duties of the job

- Responsible for leading and managing a team of scientists undertaking genetic diagnostic tests in rare disease.

- Analysis, interpretation of data, and writing and authorising of clinical reports.

- Providing clinical scientific expertise for the repertoire of disorders/tests offered by the assigned team.

- Training and mentoring of scientific staff.

- Member of the laboratory leadership team, contributing to all aspects of providing a high quality service.

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 1,100 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 socio‑economic background.

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

- or the Trust has agreed that they will sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 3rd December 2025

Interview Date – To be confirmed

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

Our values and reputation for outstanding care; Opportunities to experience a range of specialities; Career and development opportunities; Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team; Research experience and opportunities; Lovely location and quality of life; Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)

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

- Registered Clinical Scientist with HCPC

- Completion of a formal training programme in Laboratory Genetics, OR postgraduate qualification (PhD or equivalent) in relevant subject and externally assessed clinical genetics laboratory experience

- Completion of Part 1 FRCPath in Genetics; OR PhD in relevant Human Genetics subject and actively preparing for Part 1 FRCPath

- Part 2 FRCPath in Genetics, or working towards

- Undergraduate degree in an appropriate biological science

Experience

- Significant experience of working as a Clinical Scientist in a genomics laboratory

- Experience of research and development relevant to genomic testing

- Experience of project management

- Experience of management and supervision of staff

Skills

- Analysis of Rare Disease genetic test results

- Able to organise and manage complex activities

- Able to provide leadership and training to scientific teams within the department

- Able to maintain intense concentration on important tasks despite frequent interruptions

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Able to use and manipulate lab computer systems and standard software packages

- Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at meetings or as part of a teaching/training events

- Able to develop new policies and protocols

Additional Requirements

- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.

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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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