Job summary
Band 7 Clinical Scientist in Immunology
We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Scientist to join our team in the delivery and further development of the Immunology service at the Cumberland Infirmary in historic Carlisle, North Cumbria. Immunology is sited with Virology within the Infection Sciences department, sharing an excellent BMS and MLA team who work across both disciplines. The department provides a comprehensive repertoire of autoimmune serology, allergy and immunochemistry testing.
Carlisle is situated in close proximity to the stunning Lake District National Park, providing an exciting opportunity to achieve a flexible work-life balance in this area of outstanding natural beauty, whilst developing into a more senior role. You will work alongside the Principal Clinical Scientist, with additional remote support from a team of Consultants at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
This post offers scope for a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist with a broad range of experience in clinical immunology to enhance and build on their existing knowledge and skills.
The department has strong links with the University of Cumbria, including the new Pears Cumbria School of Medicine based in Carlisle, which welcomes its first cohort of students in August 2025. This graduate-entry programme is an exciting joint venture between the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London, offering potential for additional teaching, research and development opportunities in the future.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide clinical and scientific support to the immunology laboratory at Carlisle, working closely with the Principal Clinical Scientist and Immunology Team Manager.
The department has excellent clinical links with primary care clinicians, secondary care clinicians and regional immunology departments. You will provide clinical advice and interpretation of immunology laboratory results to these users, and perform final authorisation of patient reports.
The post holder will assist the Principal Clinical Scientist and senior management team in the development of new policy/procedures impacting on service users and patient care, and in the appraisal of new or alternative analytical methods and equipment for service improvement.
You will play a key role in the maintenance of UKAS accreditation to ISO 15189:2022 standards, including method evaluations, documentation development and review, implementation and maintenance of quality assurance systems (to include IQC and EQA) and audit.
About us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.
Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time':
- Being a clinically led organisation
- Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
- A positive patient experience every time
- A great place to work
- Managing our money well
As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.
- Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
- If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Important Information
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following:
- Junk Mail is checked regularly
Disclosure and Barring Service:
On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect.
The changes mean that:
- youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure
- the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed.
If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so.
Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helpline@nacro.org.uk
Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email advice@unlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website
The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £18 + Administration cost of £3.85 = £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
Enhanced Check: £38 + administration cost of £3.90 = £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits.
A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable.
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
Excellent opportunities for development
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies
EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
These schemes are subject to availability
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.
- Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
- If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Important Information
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following:
- Junk Mail is checked regularly
Disclosure and Barring Service:
On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect.
The changes mean that:
- youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure
- the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed.
If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so.
Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helpline@nacro.org.uk
Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email advice@unlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website
The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £18 + Administration cost of £3.85 = £21.85. Deducted at £6.85 from 1st month salary and £5 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
Enhanced Check: £38 + administration cost of £3.90 = £41.90. Deducted at £11.90 from 1st month salary and £10 deducted from salary over following 3 months.
As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits.
A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable.
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
Excellent opportunities for development
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies
EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
These schemes are subject to availability
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First or second class honours degree in a relevant subject or assessed equivalent level of knowledge.
- Completion of a recognised training programme in Clinical Immunology (ACSI, ACB, NSHCS-STP or equivalent).
- MSc in Clinical Immunology or assessed equivalent level of knowledge.
- Current registration as a Clinical Scientist in Immunology with the Health Care Professions Council (or within 3 months of obtaining).
- Current registration as a Clinical Scientist in Immunology with the Health Care Professions Council (or within 3 months of obtaining).
Desirable
- Leadership / Management qualification.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Supervised in-service experience working as a Clinical Scientist
- Selection of appropriate diagnostic pathways.
- Quality assurance in laboratory immunology and experience of UKAS accreditation processes.
- Record of achievement in research, development and audit activities.
- Resolution of analytical problems.
- Advanced knowledge of human immunological processes, physiology pharmacology, and their application to clinical practice.
- Knowledge of immune medicine in adults, children and neonates including immunodeficiency, allergy, autoimmune disease, and monoclonal gammopathies.
- Extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
- Understanding of quality management systems, ISO 15189 standards and UKAS accreditation process
- Health and safety knowledge and risk assessment.
- Clinical governance and risk assessment.
- Knowledge of national professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
Desirable
- Experience as a Registered Clinical Scientist / Healthcare Scientist in immunology.
- Interpretation of policies, national and local.
- Financial management, resource allocation and procurement.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
skills and aptitude
Essential
- Well-developed analytical (technical) and interpretative skills.
- Well-developed deductive abilities.
- Proven record of audit activities.
- Well-developed clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own speciality.
- Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on the investigation and interpretation of immunological processes in complex situations also utilising data from other specialities.
- Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
- Able to analyse complex information from out-with as well as within the service and use to evaluate differential diagnoses.
- Able to work independently within scope of professional competence, taking personal responsibility for own decisions and advice.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team
- Good oral and written communication skills including teaching.
- Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard software packages.
- Able to organise and manage complex activities.
- Able to maintain intense concentration on complex tasks, despite frequent interruptions including clinical enquiries and urgent test results.
- Able to maintain a restricted position, such as at a desk or microscope, for extended periods of time.
Desirable
- Proven research and development record.
- emonstrable leadership skills.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to working patterns.
- Able to travel between hospital sites and more widely, according to service needs.
- Support equality and value diversity
Desirable
- Financial management, resource allocation and procurement.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First or second class honours degree in a relevant subject or assessed equivalent level of knowledge.
- Completion of a recognised training programme in Clinical Immunology (ACSI, ACB, NSHCS-STP or equivalent).
- MSc in Clinical Immunology or assessed equivalent level of knowledge.
- Current registration as a Clinical Scientist in Immunology with the Health Care Professions Council (or within 3 months of obtaining).
- Current registration as a Clinical Scientist in Immunology with the Health Care Professions Council (or within 3 months of obtaining).
Desirable
- Leadership / Management qualification.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Supervised in-service experience working as a Clinical Scientist
- Selection of appropriate diagnostic pathways.
- Quality assurance in laboratory immunology and experience of UKAS accreditation processes.
- Record of achievement in research, development and audit activities.
- Resolution of analytical problems.
- Advanced knowledge of human immunological processes, physiology pharmacology, and their application to clinical practice.
- Knowledge of immune medicine in adults, children and neonates including immunodeficiency, allergy, autoimmune disease, and monoclonal gammopathies.
- Extensive knowledge of routine and specialised analytical methods, quality assurance and problem solving.
- Understanding of quality management systems, ISO 15189 standards and UKAS accreditation process
- Health and safety knowledge and risk assessment.
- Clinical governance and risk assessment.
- Knowledge of national professional and NHS guidelines relating to service provision and quality.
Desirable
- Experience as a Registered Clinical Scientist / Healthcare Scientist in immunology.
- Interpretation of policies, national and local.
- Financial management, resource allocation and procurement.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
skills and aptitude
Essential
- Well-developed analytical (technical) and interpretative skills.
- Well-developed deductive abilities.
- Proven record of audit activities.
- Well-developed clinical awareness within and beyond the context of own speciality.
- Able to advise senior medical staff, nursing staff and other health professionals on the investigation and interpretation of immunological processes in complex situations also utilising data from other specialities.
- Able to recognise patterns of abnormality and relate them to clinical situations and provide appropriate clinical advice.
- Able to analyse complex information from out-with as well as within the service and use to evaluate differential diagnoses.
- Able to work independently within scope of professional competence, taking personal responsibility for own decisions and advice.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team
- Good oral and written communication skills including teaching.
- Able to use and manipulate laboratory computer systems and standard software packages.
- Able to organise and manage complex activities.
- Able to maintain intense concentration on complex tasks, despite frequent interruptions including clinical enquiries and urgent test results.
- Able to maintain a restricted position, such as at a desk or microscope, for extended periods of time.
Desirable
- Proven research and development record.
- emonstrable leadership skills.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Flexible approach to working patterns.
- Able to travel between hospital sites and more widely, according to service needs.
- Support equality and value diversity
Desirable
- Financial management, resource allocation and procurement.
- Involvement in service planning and development.
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).
