Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen within our busy Genomics Laboratory, we are looking for a Healthcare Science Practitioner to join our busy technical team.
The Cambridge Genomic Laboratory (East GLH) is looking to recruit a Band 4 Healthcare Science Practitioner within our wet laboratory to join our busy technical team.
We are looking for someone with a motivated and flexible attitude who has experience in sample preparation, DNA/RNA Extraction, culturing, gel electrophoresis or PCR. You will be a key member of the technical team, training staff and maintaining laboratory equipment.
The Laboratory is part of the East NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub. This is one of seven Genomic Hubs established to provide the National Genomic Medicine Service for NHS England, led by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and working with Nottingham University Hospital and University Hospital Leicester.
Main duties of the job- Perform routine genomic techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, culturing and harvesting of cells, FISH.
- Use and maintenance of specialised equipment and robotics.
- Requisitioning of general laboratory consumables.
About usOur 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.
DetailsClosing date: 25 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year pa pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 180-B-264247
Job locations: Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesPlease see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 25th October 2026. Interviews are due to be held on 9th November 2026.
All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October 2026 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.
As there is a 12-week probationary period, 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.
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.
Benefits to youAt 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 café, 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 SpecificationQualifications- Essential: Foundation degree/diploma in appropriate scientific subject or alternative equivalent qualifications
- Desirable: BSc degree in an appropriate biological science or equivalent qualifications
Experience- Essential: Experience of commonly used genomic laboratory techniques, including PCR, DNA extraction, cell culture and Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH).
- Essential: Working in a routine laboratory environment (e.g. diagnostic lab), following standard operating procedures
- Desirable: Working with an electronic laboratory Quality Management System
Knowledge- Essential: Knowledge of Laboratory health and safety issues
- Essential: Familiar with patient confidentiality and ethical issues
- Essential: Basic understanding of clinical genetic testing procedures
- Essential: Familiar with quality control procedures and laboratory accreditation.
Skills- Essential: Good communication, both verbally and written
- Essential: Good teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Essential: Able to concentrate for prolonged periods and show attention to detail
- Essential: Computer literate
- Essential: Able to organise own workload and work under pressure, meeting deadlines and maintaining a high standard at all times
- Desirable: Problem solving/troubleshooting
Additional Requirements- Essential: The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Essential: Genuine interest in working in health care
- Essential: Dependable and enthusiastic
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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.Employer detailsEmployer 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
For questions about the job, contact:Genetic Technologist, Joanne Harley, joanne.harley@nhs.net
