Job summary
Applications are invited from motivated, enthusiastic, adaptable individuals keen to join a small but busy Human Research Tissue Bank (HRTB) team at CUH. Human Research Tissue Bank provide a valuable tissue service to researchers both on the Biomedical Research Campus, nationally and internationally.
You will have a positive, professional approach and be keen to work as part of a busy highly skilled team. You will have good attention to detail and be able to work under your own initiative following standard operating procedures.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a vital research support team during an exciting time of change. In October, we'll be relocating to a brand-new, state-of-the-art laboratory at 1000 Discovery Drive. If you're enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and ready to learn, we'd love to hear from you.
HCPC registration is essential.
Interviews will be held in person.
Main duties of the job
Some of the main duties include:
Prioritising and organising the workload to ensure continuity and efficiency of the service whilst working in compliance with HTA standards.
To work as part of the Tissue Bank service in ensuring turnaround times for banked materials are met.
Deal with fresh samples both diagnostic and research from CUH theatres and researchers, ensuring consent is in place.
Perform specimen reception including receipt onto relevant laboratory management system LIMS.
Assist pathologists/appropriately trained individuals during specimen dissection.
See job description for full details
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.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can only apply for this post as a secondment and must have the approval of your current line manager before applying. If you are internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
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 August 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 15th August 2025
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can only apply for this post as a secondment and must have the approval of your current line manager before applying. If you are internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
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 August 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 15th August 2025
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
- IMBS accredited BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science
- Registration with the HCPC
- Evidence of continual CPD
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a laboratory
Desirable
- Experience working in a NHS diagnostic laboratory
- Histology technical experience including embedding and microtomy
- Experience of Tissue Banking
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of biomedical science including histology
- Knowledge of Health and Safety practices
Desirable
- Aware of relevance of the HTA
- Aware of how consent and ethical approval applies to tissue samples for research
Skills
Essential
- High level of manual dexterity
- Accurate / good attention to detail
- Effective verbal and written communication / telephone skills
- Ability to follow complex instructions
- Keyboard and IT skills
Desirable
- Have a full UK drivers' licence
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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- IMBS accredited BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science
- Registration with the HCPC
- Evidence of continual CPD
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a laboratory
Desirable
- Experience working in a NHS diagnostic laboratory
- Histology technical experience including embedding and microtomy
- Experience of Tissue Banking
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of biomedical science including histology
- Knowledge of Health and Safety practices
Desirable
- Aware of relevance of the HTA
- Aware of how consent and ethical approval applies to tissue samples for research
Skills
Essential
- High level of manual dexterity
- Accurate / good attention to detail
- Effective verbal and written communication / telephone skills
- Ability to follow complex instructions
- Keyboard and IT skills
Desirable
- Have a full UK drivers' licence
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.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)