At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee daily lab operations and ensure compliance in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Cambridge University Hospital, a leader in biomedical research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work culture.
- Why this job: Play a vital role in cutting-edge research while leading a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Strong technical knowledge and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 46000 £ per year.
Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? The Department of Medicine is seeking a Laboratory & Facilities Coordinator to oversee day-to-day operations in our Cambridge University Hospital embedded spaces. This pivotal role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant running of CL2 and CL3 laboratories, supporting world-class research and teaching. Deputising for the Department Laboratory & Facilities Manager, you'll lead a small team, manage budgets and procurement, and keep operations running smoothly. The role also includes participation in an on-call rota as part of our commitment to maintaining continuity of service.
We're looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent people skills. You'll be a clear communicator who builds trust, collaborates effectively across Estates, NHS partners, and research groups, and motivates your team to deliver excellence. Adaptability, prioritisation, and the ability to delegate are essential, as problem-solving is a key part of the role. If you're driven by operational excellence and want to play a vital role in supporting cutting‑edge biomedical research, we'd love to hear from you.
About You
You are a proactive, collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic environment. You combine technical knowledge of laboratory operations with strong organisational and interpersonal skills. You remain calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and build trust across diverse teams. You are committed to learning and development for yourself and your teams, and take pride in delivering operational excellence that supports cutting‑edge research.
Key Skills and Attributes include:
- Ability to lead day-to-day laboratory operations and maintain compliance with CL2 and CL3 standards.
- Strong problem‑solving skills and resilience under pressure, with experience in crisis management and emergency response.
- Collaborative mindset with proven ability to build effective relationships across departments and external partners.
- Excellent communication skills for clear, timely updates to diverse audiences.
- Commitment to personal and team development, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Sound knowledge of health and safety legislation and laboratory compliance requirements.
- Good organisational and planning skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Digital literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and familiarity with procurement and asset management systems.
- Flexibility to work across sites and participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota.
The role holder will be required to hold on-call duties (compensated) on a rotational basis. They must be able to report to the site within 30 minutes for out-of-hours emergencies.
Informal enquiries are welcome, and can be directed to Dr John O'Brien, Laboratory and Facilities Manager (Jao47@cam.ac.uk).
To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.
Closing date: 6th February 2026
Interview date: to be confirmed
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
£35,608 to £46,049 per annum
CUH Laboratory and Facilities Coordinator in Cambridge employer: University of Cambridge
Contact Detail:
University of Cambridge Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land CUH Laboratory and Facilities Coordinator in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team and the environment before your interview. If you can, visit the lab spaces or chat with current staff. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you tailor your responses to what they value.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some solid examples of how you've handled challenges in fast-paced environments. Think about times when you had to lead a team or solve a problem under pressure – these stories will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your communication skills! Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. This will help you connect with diverse audiences during the interview and show that you can build trust across teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to highlight your commitment to learning and development. Share how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement in past roles. This aligns perfectly with their focus on operational excellence and team growth.
We think you need these skills to ace CUH Laboratory and Facilities Coordinator in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Covering Letter: Make sure your covering letter speaks directly to the job description. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Laboratory & Facilities Coordinator. We want to see your personality shine through while showing us why you're the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: Since this role requires strong technical knowledge, don’t shy away from mentioning specific experiences you’ve had in laboratory operations. We’re keen to see how you’ve maintained compliance and handled challenges in a fast-paced environment.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your CV and covering letter, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and bullet points where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to upload your CV and covering letter as specified in the job posting. We can’t consider any additional documents that aren’t requested, so stick to the guidelines. Apply through our website to ensure your application gets to us smoothly!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Cambridge
✨Know Your Labs
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of CL2 and CL3 laboratory standards. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles, as this will show your technical expertise and understanding of the environment you'll be working in.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a fast-paced setting. Highlight your ability to motivate others, delegate tasks effectively, and manage budgets. This will demonstrate that you're not just a good fit for the role, but also a proactive leader.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since excellent communication is key in this role, think about how you can convey complex information to diverse audiences. Consider preparing a few scenarios where you've had to communicate under pressure.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them. This could include crisis management or emergency response situations. Showing that you can remain calm and effective under pressure will set you apart from other candidates.