Job overview
The Synnovis Cancer Genetics laboratory at Guy’s Hospital is part of the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub (SEGLH) and is the designated provider of adult solid tumour testing for the whole of the SEGLH geography. Large scale expansion and transformation of the service is underway to ensure equity of access to the NHSE National Genomic Test Directory for Cancer.
We currently have two maternity cover roles available, each with a different contract end date. One position is due to end on 30th June 2026, while the other will conclude on 28th August 2026.
Main duties of the job
Your main duties will be to provide analytical support within the cancer team for haemato-oncology and solid tumour referrals.
A sound knowledge of laboratory genetics and experience of working within a cancer genetic team is essential; an in-depth knowledge of cancer genomics is required.
Excellent communication skills are necessary in order to work effectively with other staff both within Cancer Genetics at Guy’s Hospital and the wider SEGLH team.
Working for our organisation
The Synnovis Genetics Laboratory at Guy’s is the designated hub laboratory for the SEGLH Network led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT). The Cancer Genetics team is comprised of around 50 administrative, scientific and technical staff within the cytogenetic and molecular genetic laboratories. Testing is provided for patients with a wide range of adult solid tumours and haematological malignancies, in order to provide diagnostic and prognostic information and inform treatment decisions. The service includes a substantial nationally and internationally renowned acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring service which has close links with the King’s College NIHR clinical trials AML MRD unit. A weekly team-led seminar series and a monthly GLH wide journal club are available for all staff in order to facilitate learning and continual professional development (CPD).
Your development and learning
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme, the Scientific Learning and Development Fund and the Synnovis Academy through which you can receive funding / support for advanced qualifications.
Through our Innovation Accelerator Fund, you can apply for finance to get that new innovative scientific project off the ground, and participate with the wider scientific community through symposiums, conferences and other peer group meetings.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Service Delivery
1. Participation in all aspects of the Cancer genetics workload, including solid tumour NGS and AML MRD analysis, interpretation, reporting and administration.
2. Accurately perform complex analysis of samples referred for Cancer analysis - this requires frequent and prolonged periods of concentration. Analytical techniques used will depend on individual competencies and training; duties could include G-band, FISH, NGS and AML MRD analysis of cancer samples
3. Check the analytical work of other team members in line with own individual competencies. This includes checking the analysis of staff at band 6 and below who are not HCPC registered.
4. Responsibility for the final checking of a proportion of reports written by the team including; checking accuracy and interpretation of results and diagnostic and prognostic implications.
5. Provision of highly specialised scientific advice and technical support to users of the diagnostic Cancer Genetics service and to other scientific and technical staff.
Quality and Management
1. Participate in the preparation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and in the review of these documents.
2. Ensure that work is carried out in line with Standard Operating Procedures and Departmental policy.
3. Ensure the Departmental Health and Safety Policy are adhered to, and under take the risk assessment of procedures as appropriate.
Education and Training
1. Assist in the training of trainee scientists, biomedical scientists and medical staff. To have particular responsibility for providing specialist training to staff in own area of expertise.
2. Encourage and support junior staff to develop their full potential for the benefit of the laboratory service and their careers.
3. Promote the teaching and training of scientific, medical and technical staff and to collaborate in the effort to keep staff abreast of advances in human molecular genetics
General duties
1. Participate in working parties and liaison groups as necessary.
2. Strictly adhere to local laboratory and Department of Health and Safety regulations and Codes of Practice.
3. Demonstrate awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety regulations, Data Protection, and SOPs.
4. Participate in laboratory and clinical audits.
5. Ensure workplace and workbench areas are kept to laboratory standards.
6. Undertake mandatory training as required by Synnovis.
7. Maintain and promote the professional image of Synnovis.
8. Participate in the PPR cycle, and be assessed against objectives relevant to the role of a clinical scientist.
9. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings when required.
Key Working Arrangements
1. Work independently and autonomously rather than under direct supervision of more senior staff.
2. Guidance is available from the Cancer Genetics operational management team as and when required.
Special Working Conditions
1. Frequently undertake repetitive tasks involving the use of VDU resulting in prolonged periods of sitting in a restricted position.
2. Monitor exposure to hazardous environmental and chemical substances.
3. Undertake investigations of biological specimens which have adverse pathological risks associated with them.
4. Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions due to the variety of specimens processed including tumour biopsies and bodily fluids.
5. May be required to work shifts or provide out of hours cover as determined by service need and as directed in individual contracts of employment.
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Foundation Trust is a major emergency and specialist teaching Trust which has all the specialties associated with a fascinating and career defining case load including: Women’s Services, Fetal Medicine, Haematology, Oncology, Transplantation, and is also home to the Evelina Children’s Hospital and the Cancer Centre on the Guy’s site.
You will be close to the vibrant Borough Market and the South Bank, which are exceptional London locations; perfect places to work and relax next to such iconic venues as Big Ben, The London Eye and The Shard!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. BSc in a relevant scientific discipline
2. Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
3. Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) in Genetics/Cancer Genetics or final year STP nearing completion
4. Completion of a recognised training programme in Cancer Genetics such as the NSHCS Scientific Training Programme (STP)
Desirable criteria
5. Professional qualification such as FRCPath part 1 in Genetics or Molecular Pathology
6. Higher degree in biological science
Experience
Essential criteria
7. Ability to troubleshoot practical issues arising within the cancer genetics laboratory
8. Demonstrable specialist diagnostic cancer genetics experience gained by working in a team specialising in somatic cancer genetic analysis
9. Experience of analysing cancer genetic samples using a range of techniques for molecular genetic and/or cytogenetic analysis
10. Experience of writing clinical diagnostic reports for patients referred for cancer cytogenetic and/or molecular genetic and testing.
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of mutation analysis using appropriate PCR and Sanger sequencing methodologies
12. Experience of fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue sections
13. Able to perform karyotype analysis by G-banding
14. Experience of NGS data analysis and accompanying sequence variant interpretation
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
15. Ability to sit in a restricted position for prolonged periods e.g. at a microscope
16. Comprehensive theoretical knowledge of haematology/oncology and/or adult solid tumour genetics
17. Experience of interpreting results for cancer genetic analysis
18. Ability to clearly communicate scientific and organisational information both in written and verbal form
Desirable criteria
19. Experience of clinical and technical validation of new tests
20. Demonstrable supervisory work within a genetics laboratory
21. An effective team member and leader
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
22. Contributory pension scheme
23. Generous annual leave entitlement
24. Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.