About us

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Specialist Senior Technician to join an expanding translational laboratory to support clinical trial activities within King’s Health Partners (an Academic Health Sciences Centre for London).

The King’s Health Partners Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) is one of 29 centres across the UK and specialises in new molecular and cellular cancer immunotherapies. The KHP ECMC has been awarded funding for a further 5-years to expand their trials portfolio, including agents discovered and developed by King’s College London researchers. With an extensive portfolio of early phase and translational clinical trials, there is an increasing requirement for tissue sampling and complex sample preparation.

The post is based within KHP Cancer Biobank, part of the School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

About the role

The successful candidate will support the ongoing expansion of trial-related sample handling and processing. This work requires effective monitoring, collection, and processing of patient samples in accordance with defined protocols. The postholder will have a broad knowledge and experience of sample handling and be to identify protocol non-compliance and troubleshoot as required.

The translational lab can be supporting 20 or more trials at any one time and the postholder will be responsible for delivering a reliable and accurate service. This requires well-developed organisation and planning skills.

The postholder will be required to communicate complex information clearly and concisely with the clinical trial team members and study sponsors.

Alongside clinical trial activities, the successful candidate will provide support to the Cancer Biobank. This will primarily involve processing biological fluids, which includes periods of more intense activity.

Both clinical trial and biobank activities are undertaken within a tightly regulated environment. The postholder will be required to actively participate in the quality management system. However, evolution of systems is encouraged to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Whilst sample collection should be scheduled in advance, a flexible approach is required as these may be at locations other than Guy’s Hospital and are dependent upon other Trust service providers. Hence, sample collection and processing may occur outside of core hours.

The post holder will be responsible to the Specialist Chief Technician and accountable to KCL Head of Biobanking 

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered on a fixed term contract until 30th June 2025.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. HNC, A level, NVQ 3, HND level or equivalent with relevant experience or broad vocational experience, acquired through a combination of job-related vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively more demanding relevant work/roles.
2. Knowledge of a range of technical or scientific practices and scientific specialism applicable to the work area with a full understanding of the technical/ scientific theory underpinning these.
3. Proven experience of handling a range of biological specimens.
4. Working knowledge of Health & Safety regulations governing area of work.
5. Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, and interpersonal skills.
6. Have a proactive and responsive approach to internal and external contacts in order to build relationships.
7. Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required.

Desirable criteria

1. Knowledge of ICH, GCP, R&D Governance, HTA licencing and UK clinical trials Regulations.
2. Experience in delivering a clinical trial sample collection and processing service.
3. Evidence of an active commitment to professional development, such as working towards RSciTech / RSci.
4. Previous experience of working within a NHS environment.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.