TCAT Quality Control Scientist

About The Organisation

National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best‑in‑class systems and standards. Our priority is always to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.

The Post

The core purpose of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is to meet the transfusion needs of patients in Scotland. In support of this, the SNBTS Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics (TCAT) Directorate is committed to a programme that will enhance the service provided to NHS Scotland in both clinical and operational areas. SNBTS undertakes research and development which is designed to support the strategic and operational priorities of the organisation, achieve high quality and impact and add value to broader NHS and Governmental objectives.

The Candidate

This is an exciting opportunity to join the SNBTS TCAT Directorate as a Quality Control Scientist. As a senior member of the TCAT QC team, the successful candidate will be directly involved in the QC testing of a range of tissues, cells and advanced therapeutics. Furthermore, they will be responsible for the progression of a range of Quality Control projects to ensure TCAT QC remains compliant with current regulatory guidance, and provides the highest quality results to ensure patient safety.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must hold a post‑graduate qualification in a relevant scientific discipline. In addition, the post holder should have demonstrable experience resulting in specialist knowledge of a range of procedures and processes, ideally in flow cytometry, qPCR and/or cell‑based assays for cell therapy products. The post holder must hold a Full UK drivers licence to allow attendance at other QC laboratories in Edinburgh.

Additional Requirements

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who have lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.

Location and Working Pattern

The post will be based at The Jack Copland Centre, Edinburgh. The work pattern will be Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week. It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.

Inclusion

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot.

Further Information

For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Anthony Plato on anthony.plato@nhs.scot or Caroline Kennedy on caroline.kennedy3@nhs.scot. Closing date for completed applications is 3 November 2025.

Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/

NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.