Human Tissue Governance Manager (30 Hours per week) (Fixed-term contract)

The University of Brighton is seeking an experienced Human Tissue Governance Manager to provide specialist regulatory oversight and governance across the University's licensed human tissue activities. This is a key role in ensuring that the University's activities involving human tissue remain compliant with the Human Tissue Act 2004, Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licensing requirements and relevant Codes of Practice, as well as associated Health Research Authority requirements.

The role will provide continuity of specialist governance during a period of change and will work closely with the University's Designated Individual and relevant licence holders to ensure that appropriate systems, processes and controls are maintained. A particularly important focus of the role will be the implementation and embedding of the human tissue tracking system. The successful candidate will lead enhanced auditing and assurance activity during this transition, ensuring that tissue records, sample locations and audit trails remain accurate, complete and fully traceable.

This is an opportunity for an individual with specialist human tissue governance expertise to play a central role in maintaining regulatory assurance while helping to embed improved systems and ways of working. You will have specialist knowledge of the Human Tissue Act 2004 and HTA regulation, together with experience of applying regulatory requirements in a laboratory, research or educational environment. You will be able to interpret complex regulatory requirements and explain them clearly to academic, technical and professional colleagues. You will be organised and methodical, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and identify and address potential compliance issues. You will also need to be comfortable working with information systems and databases and have the practical and technical knowledge necessary to understand the handling, storage and management of human tissue and associated records.

The University's person specification specifically requires specialist HTA/HTAct knowledge, knowledge of relevant statutory regulations and standards, appropriate practical laboratory expertise, strong communication skills, IT competence and the ability to support staff and students.

Key responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice and guidance on compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and HTA requirements.
• Act as a Person Designate, supporting the Designated Individual in maintaining compliance with the University's HTA licence.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of human tissue governance arrangements, including the acquisition, storage and use of human material for teaching, training and research.
• Lead enhanced auditing and assurance activity associated with the University's new tissue-tracking system.
• Monitor the accuracy, completeness and traceability of tissue records and inventories.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies identified through routine and targeted audits.
• Ensure that appropriate audit trails and records are maintained and that the University remains inspection-ready.
• Review and update policies, procedures and governance documentation where required.
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations to support research and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate learning support, advice and training relating to the Human Tissue Act.
• Maintain appropriate training records and provide relevant health and safety and laboratory-specific training.
• Develop networks with external institutions to support knowledge sharing and the implementation of best practice.
• Manage relevant human tissue information and donor registers.
• Support laboratory teaching, research and consultancy activities where required.

What we are looking for

• Specialist knowledge and understanding of the Human Tissue Act 2004 and regulation by the Human Tissue Authority.
• Knowledge of current relevant statutory regulations and standards.
• Experience of working in a laboratory, research or educational environment.
• Practical knowledge of relevant laboratory techniques, equipment and facilities.
• Ability to interpret complex regulatory or technical information and communicate it clearly to different audiences.
• Experience of developing effective work systems and managing agreed priorities efficiently.
• Good IT skills, including experience of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
• Knowledge of relevant health and safety requirements.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines and maintain high standards of accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively and provide effective support to staff, students and researchers.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in an appropriate science subject.

Why join this role?

This is a specialist role with a direct impact on the University's ability to maintain compliant and effective human tissue activities across teaching and research. You will play a particularly important role during the implementation of the University's new tissue-tracking system, providing the enhanced assurance and scrutiny needed to establish confidence in the accuracy and traceability of the new system. The role offers the opportunity to combine regulatory governance, laboratory practice, auditing, systems implementation and staff development, working across academic and professional services teams.

The post is 30 hours per week and fixed term for one year. The University welcomes job-sharing arrangements where appropriate. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of age, disability, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief (including non-belief), sex and sexual orientation. We embrace equality and diversity in our working, learning, research and teaching environment and are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive community. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds because the University is under-represented by Minority Ethnic staff.

For the vast majority of our roles we operate an agile working system, with time split between working on campus and at the employee's home. It is the University's expectation that home working will take place within the UK.

Further information about working for us, as well as the wide range of benefits we offer, can be found in the working with us section of our vacancies page.