Job summary
Are you looking for a role where precision matters and every detail counts? We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) to join our small, dedicated team in the Biochemical Genetics Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Our specialist laboratory provides Newborn Blood Spot Screening for East Anglia and undertakes metabolic investigations for hospitals across the region and beyond. We pride ourselves on delivering a friendly, responsive and efficient service, and we're looking for someone who shares these values.

Why join us?
Be part of a UKAS accredited and HCPC approved training laboratory within one of the UK's leading hospitalsWork in a supportive team that values collaboration and continuous learningContribute to a service that processes over 7.5 million tests per year, making a real difference to patient care

If you meet the criteria and are committed to delivering high standards of work, we encourage you to apply through NHS Jobs. Applications should demonstrate your ability to work accurately, efficiently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Main duties of the job
About the role

You will support our Biomedical Scientists and technical staff with a variety of essential tasks, including:

• Accurate data entry using laboratory information systems
• Pre-analytical duties such as centrifuging, pipetting, aliquoting, and sample preparation
• General laboratory responsibilities including filing, housekeeping, and maintaining Good Laboratory Practice

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a dynamic environment, can adapt to changing priorities, and takes pride in accuracy and efficiency.

What we're looking for

Minimum of GCSEs in Science, English and MathematicsComputer literacy and good keyboard skillsAbility to work under pressure while maintaining attention to detailPrevious laboratory experience is desirable but not essential - full training will be provided

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.

Details
Date posted
25 September 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 3

Salary
£25,760 to £27,476 a year

p.a. pro rata

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time,
Part-time,
Flexible working

Reference number
180-B-264223-RE

Job locations
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

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.

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.

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 22nd September 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on 6th 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
Essential

• GCSE Maths and English (A-C) or equivalent

Desirable

• Appropriate NVQ level 3/diploma

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable experience of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma

Desirable

• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS

Knowledge
Essential

• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science duties equivalent to an NVQ level 3/diploma

Desirable

• Practical experience of working in a Biomedical Science laboratory
• Knowledge of Pathology IT systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Previous relevant experience of working in the NHS

Skills
Essential

• Willingness to undertake cross training to extend skill set to deliver role.
• Good communication skills,
• Demonstrable interpersonal skills - can work as part of a team.
• Ability to supervise less experienced staff, e.g. can demonstrate own work.
• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time
• Manual dexterity appropriate to activities associated with post

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.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Advanced Biomedical Scientist
Kirsty Rowlandson
kirsty.rowlandson@nhs.net
01223217160

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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).