Principal Clinical Scientist (Band 8a)

North Bristol NHS Trust

The closing date is 16 May 2025

Job summary

Principal Clinical Scientist in Rare Disease Genomics - AfC Band 8A

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the South West Genomics Laboratory Hub at Bristol for a Principal Clinical Scientist in the Rare Disease team, following retirement. We are seeking a motivated, highly qualified and ambitious individual to play a key leadership role within our busy and friendly team.

Please see this short video showcasing Pathology at NBT.

https://youtu.be/cJiNgR-TwUY?si=H6kkwCD5FvSv6UpW

Main duties of the job

Clinical Scientist Band 8A -

The postholder will be akey member of the scientific management team responsible for operational and strategic direction of Rare Disease, managing and accountable for a single main area of service (sub-section) and staff, deputising for the 8B section lead where appropriate. They will also provide experienced clinical advice, training and quality input to their area of expertise. The post holder will also lead on specific development projects.

Successful applicants must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a clinical scientist and have an upper second or first class honours degree and/or higher degree in a relevant scientific subject. Possession of FRCPath Part One is highly desirable (candidates actively working towards Part One are encouraged to apply). Good communication, team working and supervisory skills are also essential.

Extensive experience of the scientific and interpretative aspects of the genomic diagnosis of rare disease, inclusive of cytogenetic techniques, is highly desirable. The successful candidate is expected to play a key role in the development of postnatal and developmental delay genomics, inclusive of microarray testing and the transition of relevant patient pathways to whole genome sequencing.

About us

With a scientific and technical staff of over 100, Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) is housed in new state of the art Pathology laboratories in North Bristol NHS Trust.

As part of the South West Genomic Laboratory Hub (SW GLH) within the broader NHSE Genomic Medicine Service, BGL provides provision of national and local Rare Disease diagnostic genetic testing in close partnership with the Exeter Genomics Laboratory, based at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. BGL has a significant R&D programme and also benefits from co-location with the University of Bristol Learning and Research Centre in the Trust Science Quarter.

BGL is fully committed to the provision of high-quality training at all levels, as an accredited training centre.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead.

We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Date posted

28 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

339-CCS2494-BAL

Job locations

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached Job Description for further details.

The successful candidate will be expected to work 37 hours per week full-time over 7 days a week, including participation in regular weekend and out of hours working.

Applications from part-time applicants will also be considered.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached Job Description for further details.

The successful candidate will be expected to work 37 hours per week full-time over 7 days a week, including participation in regular weekend and out of hours working.

Applications from part-time applicants will also be considered.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc (1st/2nd)
  • HCPC Registered CS
  • CPD

Desirable

  • Other management qualification/formal Trust course
  • Other courses relevant to clinical practice e.g. FRCPath preparation course
  • FRCPath Part One
  • FRCPath Part Two

Clinical Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of up-to-date experience & knowledge of complex genetic investigations
  • Evidence of report authorisation experience
  • Experience of formal training e.g. STP DOPs/CBD, delivering seminars, managing training programmes

Desirable

  • Research and development experience

Management/Leadership Experience

Essential

  • Personal leadership of a section or laboratory disease service
  • Experience of quality aspects ISO15189 & H&S requirements

Desirable

  • Knowledge and participation in national policies and initiatives relating to NHS Genomics
  • Verbal communication skills e.g. presentations, chairing meetings
  • Line management experience incl. interpersonal experience, motivation of team, sickness and performance management etc
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc (1st/2nd)
  • HCPC Registered CS
  • CPD

Desirable

  • Other management qualification/formal Trust course
  • Other courses relevant to clinical practice e.g. FRCPath preparation course
  • FRCPath Part One
  • FRCPath Part Two

Clinical Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of up-to-date experience & knowledge of complex genetic investigations
  • Evidence of report authorisation experience
  • Experience of formal training e.g. STP DOPs/CBD, delivering seminars, managing training programmes

Desirable

  • Research and development experience

Management/Leadership Experience

Essential

  • Personal leadership of a section or laboratory disease service
  • Experience of quality aspects ISO15189 & H&S requirements

Desirable

  • Knowledge and participation in national policies and initiatives relating to NHS Genomics
  • Verbal communication skills e.g. presentations, chairing meetings
  • Line management experience incl. interpersonal experience, motivation of team, sickness and performance management etc

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).

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.

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).

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

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

North Bristol NHS Trust

Address

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Employer's website

https://www.nbt.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Scientist for Rare Disease

Ian Berry

ian.berry@nbt.nhs.uk

Date posted

28 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum, pro rata for part time roles.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

339-CCS2494-BAL

Job locations

North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

North Bristol NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)