Genetic Technologist
Synnovis Pay Band 5
Main area: Cancer Genetics
Grade: Synnovis Pay Band 5
Contract: Fixed term: 12 months (Maternity Cover)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: VIS8503
Site: Guy's Hospital
Town: London
Salary: £38,488 to £46,852 per annum depending on experience
Closing: 16/09/2026 23:59

The place to work in pathology
We are looking for top talent to join the UK's leading and fastest growing pathology company – a scientific organisation with a clinical purpose.

Working in partnership with our service partners, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, King's College Hospital and Princess Royal University Hospital we aim to set the standard for the future of pathology.

Job overview
The Synnovis Cancer Genetics laboratory at Guy's Hospital is part of the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub (SEGLH) and is the designated provider of adult solid tumour testing for the whole of the SEGLH geography. Large scale expansion and transformation of the service is underway to ensure equity of access to the NHSE National Genomic Test Directory for Cancer.

We are seeking to recruit an Genetic Technologist for a one year fixed term maternity cover post who will mainly participate in the technical work associated with molecular workflows of the adult solid tumour section, by performing library preparation for high throughput sequencing techniques. Training and rotational opportunities are available across the service and these will be determined by individual competency and laboratory requirements in order to support the provision of a flexible and efficient service.

The successful applicant will demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning and have excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to work effectively with staff at all levels within the Cancer Genetics team and other sections of the genomic laboratory hub.

This is a great opportunity to join a rapidly growing service, utilising the latest technologies within a large fully integrated genomic laboratory hub with more than 120 staff.

Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work within the Cancer Genetics section of the South East Genomic Laboratory Hub (SEGLH) based at Guy's Hospital, participating mainly in the molecular workflows with a focus on next generation sequencing assays for adult solid tumour referrals.

You will participate in all aspects of laboratory work and have responsibility for associated administrative duties, equipment maintenance, internal quality control (IQC), general laboratory housekeeping duties and stock management duties. You will also participate in laboratory audits and general laboratory maintenance.

Once trained, you be expected to work professionally with minimal supervision.

Working for our organisation
The Synnovis Genetics Laboratory at Guy's is the designated hub laboratory for the SEGLH Network led by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTfT). This network of laboratory providers is responsible for delivering genomic testing to a population of 8.6 million across South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, and as the hub laboratory, Cancer Genetics at Guy's is the provider for adult solid tumour testing.

The Cancer Genetics team is comprised of around 70 administrative, scientific and technical staff within the cytogenetic and molecular genetic laboratories. Testing is provided for patients with a wide range of adult solid tumours and haematological malignancies, in order to provide diagnostic and prognostic information and inform treatment decisions. The service includes a substantial nationally and internationally renowned acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring service which has close links with the King's College NIHR clinical trials AML MRD unit. A weekly team-led seminar series and a monthly GLH wide journal club are available for all staff in order to facilitate learning and continual professional development (CPD).

The laboratory is accredited according to UKAS 15189 standards and is an accredited training laboratory for the provision of the cancer genetic Scientific Training Programme (STP) and the Molecular Pathology of Acquired Disease Higher Specialist Training (HSST) programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
At Synnovis, we are currently shaping the future of pathology services by creating a world-leading Hub and Spoke pathology network with our NHS partners. A large part of this modernisation will involve moving 70% of our services to a purpose built, state of the art Hub laboratory in the heart of London. For now, the job you are applying for will be based at one of our hospital sites however, from 1 April 2024 our people and services will start to move to our Hub laboratory in Blackfriars, Southwark, SE1, with some work remaining in refurbished essential services laboratories across our hospital network, focusing on the rapid turnover of urgent tests. Please do ask your recruiting manager if you wish to find out more.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare reagents, solutions and media for use within the department.
• Monitor stock levels within the department and participate in stock management by ordering and receiving reagents and consumables.
• Set up equipment for use by other members of staff.
• Perform automated, semi-automated and manual processing of specimens which requires a high level of manual dexterity.
• Perform routine and complex sample preparation with accuracy and precision; specific laboratory practical duties will be performed according to individual competencies. These duties include; processing samples for cytogenetic analysis, manual and/or robotic DNA and RNA extractions from a variety of human tissue types and preparation of samples for molecular analysis using techniques such as RT-PCR and DNA and RNA Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
• Perform complex next generation sequencing assays on a range of platforms, requiring high level of concentration and accuracy.
• Prepare and process samples, under appropriate supervision, for clinical trials and research and development projects when required.
• Liaise with the Technical Laboratory Manager, Technical Leads and Clinical Scientists regarding technical matters, sample preparation and requirements for further testing.
• Undertake basic troubleshooting of analytical instruments and automated analysers under supervision of senior staff.
• Undertake preventative maintenance of automated analysers when appropriate.
• Expert use of expensive equipment for analysis.
• Analyse and make judgments on complex scientific issues for a range of options including anomalous test results; requires frequent periods of concentration.
• Ensure quality control measures are carried out to monitor analytical performance, taking corrective action where appropriate and reporting all internal quality control (IQC) failures to an appropriate member of staff.
• File samples following standard laboratory protocols, maintaining appropriate records.
• Dispose of excess and tested samples adhering to Health and Safety protocols.
• Present laboratory findings within own speciality and department.

Administrative

• Use laboratory information systems according to standard protocols.
• Write high quality, accurate reports using standard reporting templates.
• Assist in ensuring laboratory record keeping is accurate and in compliance with good work practices as required for ISO15189 standards.
• Undertake work in a timely fashion to ensure all results are reported within nationally and locally agreed turnaround times.
• Use laboratory information systems and specialist/general software for data entry, analysis and for collection and interpretation of information to assist in the provision of laboratory services.

General Requirements

• Comply with local and national policies for the safe, secure and confidential processing and storage of patient and other laboratory information.
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of laboratory databases.
• Be proactive in escalating all issues that may impact on service delivery to senior colleagues.
• Be responsible for the planning and organisation of own workload.
• Assist in the training of other staff members by demonstration of own duties.
• Assist senior staff by maintaining high scientific and quality standards.
• Ensure workplace and workbench areas are kept to laboratory standards.
• Build and maintain working relations with all members of staff, and promote effective teamwork.
• Undertake mandatory training as required.
• Undertake a period of laboratory training and competency assessment.
• Participate in the annual PPR cycle and be assessed against the competences required for the role.
• Maintain and develop the knowledge and skills identified during the annual PPR cycle.
• Actively pursue continual professional development (CPD) maintaining a record of evidence.

Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria

• BSc in relevant scientific discipline or equivalent qualification

Desirable criteria

• BSc in Genetics related discipline
• AHCS Practitioner or BMS registration

Experience
Essential criteria

• Experience of molecular laboratory techniques used in a genetics laboratory including RNA and DNA extraction of FFPE/ liquid samples, sample processing of bone marrow and blood samples, cDNA synthesis and qPCR for MRD
• Experience of preparing a range of human tissue samples and/or human DNA samples for genomic analysis
• Experience of using automated liquid handling stations and robotics to perform sample preparation including KingFisher and QIAsymphony extraction units
• Experience of working in a diagnostic genetics laboratory

Desirable criteria

• Experience of performing cytogenetic techniques within a diagnostic laboratory setting
• Experience of performing library preparation for high throughput/ next generation sequencing
• Experience of writing diagnostic reports using standard templates
• Experience of writing or updating SOPs

Skills
Essential criteria

• Demonstrable knowledge of cancer genetics
• Ability to clearly and accurately communicate complex information, using spoken and written English
• Experience of working systematically, under pressure in a busy laboratory environment
• Ability to work with minimal supervision when required and to plan and prioritise allocated work
• Good IT skills and knowledge of common computing packages.
• Awareness of health & safety issues
• Accuracy and attention to detail

Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Ground breaking development opportunities

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Please apply for this post on-line. If you have problems with using the online process, or need any assistance, please email recruitment@synnovis.co.uk
Your e-mail address is important to us. We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
If you decide to apply for this post but do not hear back from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been short-listed on this occasion.
Thank you for your interest in Synnovis.
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Documents to download
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Further details / informal visits contact
Name: Lauren Pitt
Job title: Deputy Operations Lead
Email address: Lauren.Pitt@synnovis.co.uk
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Telephone: 01629 702342