Principal Clinical Scientist- Rare Disease Genomics
Job summary
Join theCambridge Genomics Laboratory, lead provider for the East NHS Genomic Medicine Service, and play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality rare disease diagnostics and improve patient care.
As a Principal Clinical Scientist, you will lead and manage a team of scientists, oversee the interpretation of complex genomic data, authorise clinical reports, and provide specialist scientific expertise across a diverse test repertoire.
You will contribute to service leadership, quality management, accreditation activities, staff development, and the implementation of innovative genomic technologies. Working closely with clinicians and multidisciplinary teams, you will help ensure an efficient, accurate, and patient-focused diagnostic service.
Applicants must be HCPC-registered Clinical Scientists with significant experience in a genomics laboratory, expertise in rare disease testing, and proven leadership and staff management skills. Strong communication, analytical, and organisational abilities are essential.
If you are committed to delivering safe, kind, and excellent care while shaping the future of genomic medicine, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
- Responsible for leading and managing a team of scientists undertaking genetic diagnostic tests in rare disease.
- Analysis, interpretation of data, and writing and authorising of clinical reports.
- Providing clinical scientific expertise for the repertoire of disorders/tests offered by the assigned team.
- Training and mentoring of scientific staff.
- Member of the laboratory leadership team, contributing to all aspects of providing a high quality service.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
All roles in the Trust include a mandatory 12-week training period. Therefore, successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.
All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- applied for a Graduate visa
- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 27th September 2026.
Interviews are due to be held week commencing 5th October 2026.
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Registered Clinical Scientist with HCPC
- Completion of a formal training programme in Laboratory Genetics, OR postgraduate qualification (PhD or equivalent) in relevant subject and externally assessed clinical genetics laboratory experience
- Completion of Part 1 FRCPath in Genetics; OR PhD in relevant Human Genetics subject and actively preparing for Part 1 FRCPath
- Part 2 FRCPath in Genetics, or working towards
- Undergraduate degree in an appropriate biological science
Experience
- Significant experience of working as a Clinical Scientist in a genomics laboratory
- Experience of research and development relevant to genomic testing
- Experience of project management
- Experience of management and supervision of staff
Knowledge
- Comprehensive knowledge of human genetics
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Rare Disease cytogenetics and molecular genetic techniques
- Experience and knowledge of analytical methods, problem solving and troubleshooting
- Good knowledge of general managerial procedures
- Knowledge of data protection requirements
- Thorough knowledge of requirements of UKAS ISO:15189 and understanding of quality assurance
Skills
- Analysis of Rare Disease genetic test results
- Able to organise and manage complex activities
- Able to provide leadership and training to scientific, teams within the department
- Able to maintain intense concentration on important tasks despite frequent interruptions
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Able to use and manipulate lab computer systems and standard software packages
- Able to prepare and present complex scientific and clinical information at meetings or as part of a teaching/training events
- Able to develop new policies and protocols
Additional Requirements
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Ability to deal with difficult and challenging situations
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk