CRDC Lab technician

• Receive, prepare, process and store research samples in accordance with individual study protocols and study-specific laboratory manuals.
• Undertake laboratory procedures including centrifugation, aliquoting, labelling, packaging and preparation of samples for storage or onward shipment.
• Ensure that time-critical research samples are processed accurately and within protocol-defined timelines.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records relating to sample collection, processing, storage, transfer and shipment, ensuring full traceability.
• Prepare sample kits, consumables and laboratory documentation in advance of participant visits and ensure that research teams have the appropriate materials available.
• Arrange packaging and shipment of samples to central and specialist laboratories in accordance with study requirements and relevant transport regulations.
• Maintain appropriate temperature monitoring and storage records for samples and escalate temperature excursions or other issues promptly.
• Support the laboratory aspects of new study set-up, reviewing study laboratory manuals and requirements and ensuring that appropriate equipment, consumables, documentation and processes are in place before studies open to recruitment.
• Liaise with study teams, sponsors, CROs and central laboratories as appropriate to resolve laboratory queries and ensure study requirements are understood and implemented.
• Maintain laboratory stocks and consumables, monitor expiry dates and ensure sufficient supplies are available to support planned research activity.
• Undertake routine checks of laboratory equipment and ensure maintenance, servicing and calibration requirements are completed and appropriately documented.
• Maintain a clean, organised and safe laboratory environment in accordance with local health and safety, infection prevention and laboratory procedures.
• Identify and promptly escalate sample-processing errors, equipment failures, protocol deviations or other issues that may affect sample integrity or participant safety.
• Support investigation and resolution of laboratory-related queries, deviations and corrective and preventative actions where required.
• Ensure laboratory documentation is maintained to a high standard and support sponsor monitoring visits, internal monitoring, audits and regulatory inspections.
• Work collaboratively with research delivery teams to plan laboratory activity and ensure that laboratory capacity supports participant screening, recruitment and study visits.
• Prioritise workload effectively where multiple studies and time-critical samples require processing simultaneously.
• Participate in relevant study-specific training, departmental training and competency assessment and maintain training records as required.
• Contribute to the development and review of laboratory processes, work instructions and quality improvement initiatives.
• Work flexibly across the service according to the needs of the research portfolio and undertake other appropriate duties commensurate with the role.

• We value people
• We are one team
• We care

Essential

• Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma
• Familiar with the laboratory Health and Safety principles
• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Understanding of Information Governance and Patient Confidentiality

Desirable

• Written communication skills

Essential

• Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS laboratory
• Familiar with laboratory Health & Safety
• Some experience of research and development
• Experience of working with dry ice
• Experience of training other staff
• Able to write SOPs

Essential

• Previous experience in administration office duties
• Willingness to undertake cross training to extend skill set to deliver role Good communication skills
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team
• Ability to supervise less experienced staff, e.g. can demonstrate own work
• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to follow protocols, multitask, use own initiative
• Manual dexterity appropriate to activities associated with post
• Good Microsoft excel and word skills
• Able to work with bodily fluids and hazardous materials
• Record keeping and working with databases
• Experience of using laboratory equipment

Desirable

• Written communication skills
• Is able to conduct small laboratory investigations to troubleshoot
• Good record keeping and documentation

Essential

• BSc in a related science degree
• GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent

Desirable

• Research qualifications