Employer: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Leicester Royal Infirmary
Town: Leicester
Salary: £64,455 - £74,896 Per annum/ pro rata for part-time hours
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 16/10/2025 23:59
NHS AfC: Band 8B
We are seeking an exceptional Principal Embryologist to provide senior scientific leadership within our Reproductive Medicine service.
The successful candidate will lead and develop a highly skilled team, safeguard the quality and safety of all laboratory practices, and shape the future of our fertility services through research, service development, and the adoption of new technologies.
Job Overview
This is a key role, responsible for delivering and overseeing advanced assisted conception techniques, ensuring compliance with HFEA, HTA, and CQC regulations, and driving innovation in embryology, andrology, and cryopreservation.
Main Duties of the Job
* Lead the embryology, andrology, and cryopreservation services, ensuring safe, effective, and high-quality patient care.
* Perform and oversee advanced assisted conception procedures, including IVF, ICSI, embryo biopsy, and cryopreservation.
* Ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements (HFEA, HTA, CQC, ISO), maintaining the highest standards of governance and quality.
* Provide scientific leadership, training, and development for the laboratory team, ensuring staff competence and succession planning.
* Develop and deliver service improvements, innovations, and research to advance reproductive science and patient outcomes.
* Manage laboratory operations, including quality systems, risk management, and resource allocation.
* Contribute to strategic planning and decision-making to support the growth and future direction of the service.
Person Specification
HCPC Registered clinical scientist, working knowledge of HFEA code of practice, and post-graduate qualification or equivalent level of knowledge and expertise in relevant field.
* Higher specialist scientist training or fellowship of the royal college of pathologists
* HFEA licensed intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection practitioner
* Participation in Continuing Professional Development
* PhD
* Teaching qualification
* Advanced theoretical and clinical knowledge of reproductive science
* MSc (relevant field)
* Degree in Biological Science
Experience
* Significant previous relevant experience of working in a reproductive fertility laboratory
* Previous experience of statistical analysis
* Detailed knowledge of management
* Proficient in MS Office and Fertility information technology systems
* NHS Experience
* Training of embryology staff
* Experience of running sperm donor bank
* High level of patient contact
* Previous use of Fertility Database Software
Communication and Relationship Skills
* Able to communicate clearly and effectively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and patients
* Able to present complex, sensitive information to staff and patients, including ability to impart bad news
* Ability to teach, devising training and development plans
* Ability to communicate and receive highly complex information to large groups, including communicating specialist information at conferences
* Staff appraisal experience
* Ability to deal with highly sensitive HR issues
Analytical and Judgement Skills
* Able to make judgements involving highly complex facts or situations
* Ability to analyse and interpret results and comparison of treatment options
Skills
* Requires a high degree of hand-eye co-ordination to carry out ICSI and embryo biopsy
* Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures and protocols for the service both locally
* Ability to interpret and implement national policy
* Ability to initiate research and secure funding (internal/ external)
Planning and Organisation Skills
* Ability to work flexibly as the service requires
* High level of organisational skills, ability to plan and organise clinical laboratory activities and formulate long-term strategic plans and service development
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
* All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high-quality care and interactions with others
UHL is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.
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