This vacancy is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship if offered at Band 5 and at a location which does not attract London Higher Cost Area Supplements. Please do not apply unless you have another means of establishing a right to work, or you are already employed by the NHS and would transfer to the pay point at the top of Band 5.
Job Summary
The work performed by the Cellular & Molecular Therapy (CMT) Laboratories in NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), is central to the provision and improvement of life saving stem cell transplants. Our laboratories support over half of all haemopoietic stem cell transplants performed in England each year through a network of GMP grade laboratories in 5 specialist facilities across the country.
The department provides specialist services to hospitals covering a large geographical area. We work with peripheral blood derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood and bone marrow cells, collected for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. We have close partnerships with various transplant programmes and other groups undertaking clinical trials, ground-breaking research and service development. The successful applicant will be highly motivated, ‘team focussed’ and with good time management skills. The work will involve routine service provision, specialist cell processing, and other development activities. We would expect the successful candidate to be flexible and willing to adapt to change. Experience of working in a cell therapy laboratory, and familiarity with stem cell processing and/or flow cytometry techniques would be an advantage.
You should be a HCPC registered Biomedical with relevant post- registration experience and ideally a specialist qualification in the field of transplantation science. Biomedical Scientists wishing to develop specialist skills in Cellular and Molecular Therapies will be considered for the posts, paid as a BMS on an NHS Band 5 scale whilst achieving the necessary experience and qualifications.
Band 5
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You will be required to perform, analyse, record and interpret a wide range of laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to patient test results and the processing and issue of stem cell and immunotherapy products, with the support of the team
- You will be responsible for the support and training of new and less experienced staff
- You will be required to handle blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment
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The role may require you to work variable hours and days, weekends and bank holidays as per the roster within the department (unless otherwise rostered within the shift agreement) with appropriate notice, depending on specialty.
Band 6
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You will be required to perform, analyse, record and interpret a range of specialised laboratory investigations and technical procedures relating to the issue of patient test results for organ transplant and blood transfusion and the issue of blood and tissue products, with the support of the team
- A focus of the role will be administration of work for clinical trials and commissioned advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs)
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You will be responsible for the support and training of new and less experienced staff and managing staff training
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You will be required to handle blood and tissue samples and operate a range of laboratory analysers and equipment
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The role may require you to undertake urgent on-call work providing 24/7 testing and advice, depending on specialty
The role may require you to work variable hours and days, weekends and bank holidays as per the roster within the department with appropriate notice.
Experience and Knowledge
Band 5
- Experienced in the use of a range of laboratory equipment.
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Competent in a range of manual scientific techniques.
Band 6
- Broad science knowledge with a specialist knowledge of transfusion gained through previous experience working as a Biomedical Scientist.
- Evidence of working to the standards of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Clinical Pathology Accreditation and other relevant or statutory guidelines
- Experienced in prioritising and issuing work to other staff and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines are met.
- Experienced in specialised laboratory techniques using a wide range of complex equipment.
- Evidence of training and mentoring staff.
Qualifications and Training
Band 5
- Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist (which must be maintained).
- Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
Band 6
- Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC) registered Biomedical Scientist (which must be maintained).
- Science graduate with relevant post graduate training e.g. British Blood Transfusion Society specialist certificate or equivalent.
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Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).
It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.
Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.
By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.
You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
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Flexible working options we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
- Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
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Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
- Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
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Health and wellbeing support we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.
You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:
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Read about our application process
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Learn more about our culture at NHSBT
To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.
This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Wednesday 17th June 2026.
Interviews are anticipated to be held on Tuesday 30th June subject to confirmation.
For informal enquiries please contact
Name: Allison Blair
Job Title: Head of Stem Cells & Immunotherapies (SCI) Laboratory
Contact Details: [email protected]
OR
Name: Chanda Hussain
Job Title: Healthcare Scientist - Deputy Head of SCI Department
Contact Details: [email protected]
