Laboratory Technical Lead (Internal Only) in Sheffield

Full time, Mon-Fri 06:00 – 21:00 7.5H per day, 37.5H per week £32,000 (DOE)

Overview

The Laboratory Technical Lead is responsible for the technical and scientific governance of the laboratory service. The post holder provides technical leadership across all examination processes, ensuring methods remain fit for purpose, equipment performs as intended, staff maintain competence, and laboratory results are scientifically valid. The Laboratory Technical Lead is responsible for troubleshooting, method verification and validation, assay performance monitoring, technical investigations, documentation control, competency assessment, and technical training. The role acts as the senior technical escalation point for analytical issues and works closely with the Head of Laboratory Operations to maintain accreditation and technical compliance. The role will deputise for the Laboratory Operations Manager in their absence.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership
  • Provide scientific and technical leadership across all laboratory disciplines.
  • Act as the senior technical escalation point for analytical and equipment-related issues.
  • Provide technical advice on testing methodologies, assay performance, and result interpretation.
  • Ensure examination procedures remain appropriate for intended clinical use.
  • Maintain oversight of analytical quality and assay suitability.
• Regulatory Technical Governance
  • Ensure compliance with ISO 15189 technical requirements as well as other requirements relating to ISO 27001, ISO 14001 and CQC.
  • Maintain oversight of procedures throughout the pre-examination, examination, and post-examination process.
  • Ensure equipment, reagents, consumables, and examination systems remain suitable and controlled.
  • Support internal audits, risk assessments, incident investigations, and CAPA activities.
  • Support management review activities relating to technical performance.
• Validation and Verification
  • Lead verification and validation of existing methods, assays, analysers, software, reagents, and examination procedures.
  • Ensure implementation of appropriate acceptance criteria and performance specifications.
• Troubleshooting and Technical Investigation
  • Lead investigation of analytical failures, trends, and technical nonconformances.
  • Support resolution of analyser faults and complex troubleshooting activities.
  • Investigate EQA failures, IQC trends, repeat testing, invalid rates, and assay performance concerns.
  • Recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Training and Competency
  • Develop technical training programmes.
  • Conduct competency assessments and reassessments.
  • Authorise staff for independent practice.
  • Maintain competency frameworks aligned to laboratory activities.
  • Identify technical training requirements and development opportunities.
• Documentation Management
  • Author and approve SOPs, work instructions, technical protocols, validation reports, and examination procedures.
  • Maintain document control within assigned technical areas.
  • Ensure procedures remain current, evidence-based, and compliant.
• Quality Control and Assurance
  • Ensure IQC and EQA are performed in line with procedure.
  • Review analytical performance data and quality indicators.

Person Specification

• Qualifications
  • Degree in Biomedical Science or related discipline.
  • Master’s degree in relevant field.
  • Chartered Scientist (CSci) or IBMS registration.
• Experience
  • Significant experience in a clinical/diagnostic laboratory.
  • Technical investigations and troubleshooting.
  • Audit, CAPA, EQA, IQA and accreditation support.
  • Line management and staff supervision experience.
  • Implementation of new assays, analysers, or LIMS.
  • Experience in multi-disciplinary or health tech laboratories.
• Knowledge
  • Strong knowledge of ISO 15189.
  • Understanding of laboratory workflows (pre, analytical, post).
  • Assay performance, validation principles, and QC metrics.
  • Quality management systems.
  • Knowledge of ISO 27001, ISO 14001, CQC requirements.
  • Understanding of uncertainty of measurement.
• Skills
  • Technical leadership and decision-making.
  • People management and team development.
  • Problem-solving and analytical thinking.
  • Competency assessment and training delivery.
  • Strong documentation and communication skills.
  • Resource planning and rota management.
  • Exposure to laboratory IT systems or digital platforms.
• Behaviours
  • High attention to detail and scientific integrity.
  • Proactive approach to quality and compliance.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage priorities.
  • Collaborative and leadership-focused.
  • Continuous improvement mindset and innovation focus.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Preventx

At Preventx, we believe diversity drives innovation and inclusion strengthens our impact. We’re committed to creating a workplace that values individual differences and fosters a culture of respect, belonging, and growth. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences—including those from underrepresented communities. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the recruitment process, we’re here to help.