The closing date is 03 November 2026

Job summary
The Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory (CMPHL) at Cambridge is part of the UKHSA Clinical Network Laboratory division and provides services to Cambridge University Hospital (Addenbrooke's) and Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Trusts, the surrounding district, and other NHS Laboratories. It has active research and epidemiological interests. The laboratory undergoes assessment against UKAS ISO 15189 standards and has strong teaching interests. Set on the outskirts of the university city of Cambridge, within the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Addenbrooke's Hospital is one of the top hospitals in the UK and a thriving NHS Foundation Trust. Addenbrooke's is closely associated with leading educational providers including the University of Cambridge and is a major centre for biomedical research and education.

Main duties of the job
CMPHL undertakes a wide range of manual and automated routine and specialist microbiological and molecular investigations, for clinical and public health service delivery.

The Laboratory Services Manager will contribute to planning, leading, organising and controlling the operation of the laboratory service in line with the operational direction of the Regional Head of Laboratory Operations and clinical direction of Clinical Services Lead. They will be responsible for ensuring and improving the performance, quality, efficiency and safety of laboratory operations through the implementation of effective methods and strategies.

The post holder is expected to act independently and is accountable for his / her own actions and those of others, line managed by the UKHSA Regional Head of Laboratory Operations and clinically accountable to the relevant Lead Consultants, through the Clinical Services Director.

Please note that UKHSA is exploring options for the future of the Clinical Network Laboratories service and that further information will be shared as the review progresses.

Job responsibilities

• To lead, coordinate and monitor the work of the provision of clinical and public health microbiology laboratory services, managing workflows and staffing to maximise service quality and timeliness
• Deputise for the Regional Head of Laboratory Operations
• Contribute to the development of and manage effective business continuity and resilience arrangements.
• Management of employee productivity, coordinating workforce availability, including rostering, training planning, skills development and succession planning.
• Oversee laboratory equipment and consumables, including supplier liaison regarding equipment maintenance, performance and fault resolution.
• Support the relevant Lead Consultants to develop and integrate diagnostic and analytical techniques into appropriate patient pathways.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of integrated multi sectional service developments.

Management and Organisation
Within the framework laid down by the Regional Head of Laboratory Operations and under the clinical leadership of the Clinical Services Director/Lead undertake the management and organisation of the laboratory service.

• Ensure the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures, policies and working practices in accordance with a programme agreed by the Regional Head of Laboratory Operations, Clinical Services Director and other members of the Management Team.
• Analyse and interpret any new guidance from relevant sources and to then provide advice for the development of departmental and service-wide policies and procedures.

Finance and Resources

• Ensure an adequate and economic local supply of reagents and non-capital equipment
• Review consumables and non-capital equipment used by the laboratory and identify opportunities for development and improvement in quality and cost effectiveness.
• Manage departmental budgets and delegated finances
• Contribute to costing of services, ensuring that service change control includes full financial review

Asset and Buildings Management

• Work with UKHSA leads to manage procurement process of the capital equipment programmes and asset management
• Ensure maintenance and service contracts are in place and local asset management is documented and current within the Quality Management system
• Liaise with the Estates Departments for maintenance of building and services
• Take a lead role in the future planning of new accommodation and alterations to existing premises.
• Be responsible for facilities and environmental aspects within the laboratory.

Service Development

• Lead in the review, development and implementation of business and strategic plans
• Facilitate the introduction and development of new technologies, methodologies and systems of work for service improvement and in compliance with quality standards
• Review practices through policies, audits, benchmarking, LEAN working and continuous improvement.

Scientific and Clinical

• Be actively involved in scientific and technical duties within the department which may include delivering specialist technical advice to service users.
• Accountable for the direct service delivery of a high standard of professional competence in the performance of tests and investigations across the Clinical Microbiology and Public Health service
• Analyse, interpret, technically validate and report on routine complex and specialist tests.

Health and Safety

• Ensure compliance with local and national Health and Safety legislation and recommendations and implement required changes.
• Ensure the notification of all dangerous occurrences within the department/site to appropriate bodies and reporting on UKHSA systems
• Ensure staff receive training in Health and Safety practices

Quality Assurance

• In collaboration with the Quality manager, develop a clear accountability framework for the service in respect of quality assurance.
• Ensure that the laboratory complies with ISO 15189, IDPS and HTA standards and HCPC/IBMS requirements and adheres to the principles and requirements of sound Clinical Governance
• Ensure participation in appropriate External Quality Assurance schemes, monitor departmental performance in such schemes and implement corrective actions

Essential role criteria

• Registration with Healthcare Professions Council (Biomedical Scientist)
• Postgraduate level qualification in Infection Sciences subjects equivalent to Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences or MSc
• Recent technical and managerial experience in an Infection Sciences diagnostic laboratory In depth post graduate technical experience and scientific knowledge of Microbiology gained including within a service management role
• High level knowledge of laboratory policies, regulatory standards, Standard Operating Procedures, codes of practice, legislation and professional guidelines including those relating to Health and Safety
• Knowledge and experience of staff management techniques (e.g. recruitment, training, supervision, organisational, appraisal, performance management, grievance and disciplinary)
• High level of theoretical and practical knowledge of microbiological techniques and procedures and their clinical applications, and be technically competent at specimen processing and interpretation
• Robust understanding of the Public Health requirements of a clinical microbiology laboratory

Selection Process Details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria

Stage 1: Application
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1,500 word Supporting Statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV. Please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV

Longlisting
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria and will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Registration with Healthcare Professions Council (Biomedical Scientist)

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview. Feedback will not be provided at this stage

Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at Addenbrookes Hospital Pathology Block, Microbiology Department. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview

Knowledge, Experience Skills & abilities will be tested at interview

Eligibility Criteria - External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants)

Location - Lab Only Cambridge
This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Cambridge. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice

Security Clearance Level Requirement - Basic DBS + CTC
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Baseline Personnel Security Standard and Counter Terrorist Check.

Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.