Biological Specimen Coordinator | The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Full Time 37.5 hours per week. 12 Months Fixed Term Contract. We are looking for an enthusiastic Biological Specimen Coordinator to join our supportive and dedicated Head and Neck Research team, working predominantly within the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden NHS (RMHNST). The Head and Neck Unit at The Royal Marsden is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and is recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating cancers of the head and neck.

The successful candidate will liaise with a variety of staff throughout the Royal Marsden NHS (RMHNHST) and Institute of Cancer (ICR) and will have a close working relationship with the current specimen coordinators.

• Work predominantly within ICR and RMHNST and be responsible for collecting, cataloguing and processing clinical samples from both Chelsea and Sutton sites.
• Process, label, manage and track the collection and sending of samples in compliance with all current regulations and SOPs.
• Store samples in the appropriate conditions (e.g., fridges and freezers at -80°C).
• Receive samples in-house at the ICR or Royal Marsden NHS Trust and travel, where necessary, to collect samples taken elsewhere in the trust.
• Manage the data associated with the collected samples and other archival materials, accurately recording and tracking each sample.
• Participate in regular tissue audits.
• Develop a useful set of laboratory skills associated with processing samples and ensuring the timely and efficient collection of samples.
• Ensure accurate labelling of samples.
• Ensure work is carried out in line with laboratory manuals, protocols, SOPs and departmental and national policies (The Human Tissue Act).
• Freeze tissue at -80°C or in liquid nitrogen (training provided).
• Process tissue and blood samples as required (e.g., separating plasma and cells).
• Send samples, sometimes using dry ice, as requested via external courier services.
• Work semi-independently across sites to ensure timely collection of samples for use by the research team.
• Liaise with scientists and clinicians between RMHNHST and ICR.
• Liaise closely and coordinate tissue and data collection with the Clinical Research Nurses, the Histopathology departments of RMNHST and ICR and other members of the head, neck and thyroid clinical trials unit.
• Communicate effectively with team members and other organisations.
• Travel to other clinical centres as required to collect tissue.
• Coordinate the dispatch of samples to other centres as specified by trial protocols.
• Manage collections of frozen clinical material already present in tissue banks.

We are a Disability Confident employer and offer interview opportunity to applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the job.