Component Development - Principal Scientist

We have an exciting opening for a postgraduate/postdoctoral scientist, preferably in the field of immunology, to join our team. You will be part of a large transformational project in partnership with industry to develop new plasma and platelet components that can be transfused to any patient. As the technical work package lead you will be required to conduct research and coordinate controlled investigations of blood component quality. You will be required to initiate, plan, and direct such investigations – supervising the analysis and interpretation of results, and ensuring their accurate and timely dissemination in journals and reports. You will be responsible for the line management of staff working with and to the translational research programme lead.

The NHS Blood and Transplant Component Development Laboratory is an internationally recognised laboratory based at Cambridge, alongside Addenbrooke’s Hospital on the world-renowned Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The component development laboratory performs a wide range of research and development projects to improve the quality and safety of blood components for transfusion.

Main duties of the job

• The role is to lead a technical work package within the Universal Components project team to develop novel plasma and platelet components that can be translated to any patient. The project team is a collaboration between NHSBT and an industrial partner.
• You will be responsible for delivering the technical work package working with and to the Translational Research Programme Lead.
• You will coordinate all the technical activities and collaborate with an industrial partner and other NHSBT researchers.
• You will evaluate prototypes for antibody removal and blood component quality as well as other research activities.
• You will disseminate research findings both inside and outside the organisation, attending project meetings as necessary.
• You will be responsible for training less experienced staff, students, trainees and researchers.
• You will be responsible for the line management of staff, working with and to the Translational Research Programme Lead.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• High level of expertise in relevant specialism, ideally demonstrated by publications.
• High level of proficiency in relevant specialised laboratory techniques/environments.
• In depth understanding of NHS and wider healthcare research community.
• To have successfully led and completed a major laboratory-based project.
• Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• In depth knowledge of Haematology/Transfusion Science.
• Extensive experience in working in a research laboratory.
• Supervisory experience.

Qualifications and Training

• Postgraduate degree or relevant professional qualification with significant practical laboratory experience.
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD).

About Us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

What we offer:

• A starting salary of £53,755 - £60,504 per annum in accordance with Agenda for Change (AfC).
• A full time, fixed-term opportunity to join as a Band 8a.
• Opportunity to work with a national organisation and be based in our Cambridge Centre.
• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns).

We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Monday 26th May 2025. Interviews are anticipated to be held on Thursday 12th June – subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact – Name: Melanie Munroe Job Title: Translational Research Programme Lead.