Job overview
The Royal Marsden has a vital role in championing change and improvement in cancer care through research and innovation, education and leading-edge practice. We are incredibly proud of our international reputation for pushing the boundaries and for our ground breaking work ensuring our patients receive the very best and latest in cancer treatment and care.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Genetic Technologist, with good interpersonal skills and a committed team member to join the Molecular Diagnostics team within the Clinical Genomics department. The department is located in the Centre for Molecular Pathology and is one of seven national Genomic Laboratory Hubs offering Cancer Genomic testing in England. It also works alongside Cancer Research UK in their Stratified Medicine Programme. The Centre for Molecular Pathology is a state-of-the-art facility bringing together translational science and molecular diagnostics and is one of the few specialised laboratories in molecular diagnostics of cancer in Europe. The Cinical Genomics department provides a reference Molecular Diagnostics and Cytogenetics Service for solid tumours and haematological malignancies, as well as participating in clinical trials and collaborating with industry, so as to provide cutting-edge genomic technologies to support personalised cancer treatment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake technical, analytical and administrative duties required to support the scientific teams in the provision of an effective and high quality molecular diagnostics service to patients. This will require detailed theoretical and practical knowledge. They will be responsible for carrying out analytical molecular diagnostics investigations. There will be occasions when the post holder takes sole responsibility for their work. The range of tests available will be in continuous development and the post-holder will be responsible for the validation and verification of new techniques and tests, including the provision of NGS and ddPCR for molecular diagnostics in haematological and solid tumours. They will collaborate and plan complex activities with other members of the team to achieve an effective and reliable service. The post holder will be expected to assist in training of new staff members and visitors as well as to contribute to IT development and data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service In addition the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance and participate in the departments training programme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. To be responsible for own work and that of junior members of staff under the direction of senior scientific staff/clinical scientist. This will include all aspects of the clinical scientific & technical work, staff, equipment and quality system.
2. To take day to day responsibility for the quality of technical and analytical work produced.
3. To ensure that clinical requests are met according to agreed policies on availability of tests and priorities in accordance with user guide.
The post holder will undertake molecular diagnostic testing and analysis, as well as administrative tasks of a designated area of work, with minimal supervision. This requires detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of the work area. The post holder must be able to take responsibility for working alone and as part of a team to achieve necessary performance levels. The range of tests available will be in continuous development and the post-holder will be responsible for the validation and verification of new techniques and tests, including the provision of NGS and ddPCR for molecular diagnostics in haematological and solid tumours.
The post holder will be expected to assist in training of new staff members and visitors as well as to contribute to IT development and data management relating to the technical aspects of the molecular service and therefore needs to be fully IT literate. In addition the post holder will be required to support activities such as quality, including compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, equipment maintenance and participate in the departments training programme. Good communication and team working are essential.
The successful applicant must have a relevant BSc degree in Biological Sciences/Genetics. They must have in depth post-graduate experience in molecular diagnostics techniques. Voluntary registration with The Science Council (RSci) is desirable but not essential.
The Trust encourages and supports continuing professional and personal development and Pathology runs a CPD Club. Staff benefits include child care facilities, some accommodation, car parking at Sutton and various sports and social activities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
4. BSc in Biological Sciences, Genetics, or related discipline
5. Evidence of CPD or postgraduate training
Desirable criteria
6. MSc in Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related subject
7. Voluntary registration (e.g. RSci) or willingness to obtain
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Proven extensive laboratory experience in molecular diagnostics or a related field
9. Independently performs advanced molecular techniques (e.g., NGS, ddPCR, qPCR, PCR)
10. Ability to follow SOPs, maintain lab records, and ensure QC
11. Familiarity with laboratory information systems and software
12. Experience in equipment maintenance or troubleshooting
Desirable criteria
13. Experience supporting assay validation and quality documentation
14. Experience supervising or mentoring junior staff, students, or trainees
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
15. Understanding of molecular genetics techniques and their clinical use
16. Awareness of clinical implications of lab findings
17. Knowledge of ISO 15189, EQA/IQA processes, and audit support
18. Clear verbal and written communication
19. Able to present technical information accurately
20. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work across disciplines
21. Experience supervising or training junior team members
22. Able to prioritise and coordinate lab tasks to meet turnaround times
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
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