Job Description

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our expanding laboratory team at the NIHR/Wellcome Trust Birmingham Clinical Research Facility (CRF) as a Band 7 Deputy Laboratory Manager. The CRF provides a quality clinical environment in which patients and healthy subjects can participate in research programmes safely according to robust, ethically approved trial protocols. CRF Labs support a large portfolio of over three hundred studies throughout UHB.
The role will ensure that Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards are maintained and work is compliant with the Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). That QA/QM systems are in place for all processing, storage and shipment of samples. Health and safety and risk assessments are adhered to especially when processing samples from studies using advanced therapy medicinal products (ATIMPS) and or requiring CL3 containment.
The post holder will have daily management responsibilities for CRF Laboratories providing quality pre-analytical processing service for the CRF and delivery teams within Research Development and Innovation (RD&I) at UHB sites. This will include a purposely designed containment 3 (CL3) facility.
The hours are 37.5 hours Monday-Friday between 08:00-18:00. The role is mainly based at the QE but will require going to Heartlands for a maximum of 1 Day per week.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Laboratory Manager Dr Helen Smith Helen.Smith4@uhb.nhs.uk prior to applying for this post.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will have daily management responsibilities for CRF Laboratories facility and research technicians providing a quality pre-analytical processing service for the CRF and delivery teams within RD&I at UHB sites. This will include a purposely designed containment 3 (CL3) facility.
The role will provide professional management and leadership for research laboratory technicians throughout CRF laboratories. Consulting closely with the Laboratory Manager, Deputy Clinical/ Deputy Manager, Clinical Manager, and the Program Director for strategic planning. They will provide timely and accurate information concerning all aspects of CRF laboratory research service provision for the longevity of RD&I approved and assigned studies, when communicating with both internal and external stakeholders.
Working together with the nursing, data and admin teams within the CRF or wider RD&I delivery teams to ensure a high standard of delivery for clinical trials/ studies to fulfil existing contracts. This may involve the discussion of complex, sensitive or contentious information.
Negotiation with external stakeholders such as sponsors and Principal Investigators, processing detailed scientific ideas and applying to operational requirements to deliver complex studies.
Ensure that Health and Safety as well as Trust Policies are followed in all duties especially when processing and delivering training.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Details
Date posted
01 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 7
Salary
47,810 to 54,710 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
304-1097667
Job locations
Trustwide
Mindelsohn Way
Birmingham
West Midlands
B15 2TH
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached * Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached *
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc degree in science related discipline, and MSc in relevant subject or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Management qualification e.g. ILM level 3

Experience
Essential

• Managing a laboratory team or facility.
• Experience of training, supervising and setting objectives for a laboratory team and individual members.
• Competent at implementing a process or role change.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practise and Research Governance
• Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Human Tissue Act & Data Protection / Confidentiality
• Knowledge of Biological Safety related to CL2/3 and GMOs
• Knowledge of GCP, MHRA and HSE regulations

Desirable

• Significant/previous experience working in a Laboratory environment.
• Managing a lab team in a Clinical Trial Environment
• Having a multicentre role.

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Evidence of team management with significant management & organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing
• Excellent problem solving skills and complaints management
• Ability to forecast and plan workload for self and department as a whole
• Ability to manage and work both in a team and under own initiative
• Appreciation of Quality systems
• Good computer skills with an understanding of data entry
• Good interpersonal skills
• Willingness and ability to participate in continuing education in relation to the role
• Ability to cross site work Able to communicate with a diverse delivery team (not just scientists)
• Able to demonstrate reliability, honesty, respect and be innovative.
• Ability to work flexible hours / evenings to cover needs of the department.

Desirable

• Experience in handling CL3 specimens.
• Resolving complex laboratory issues.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc degree in science related discipline, and MSc in relevant subject or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Management qualification e.g. ILM level 3

Experience
Essential

• Managing a laboratory team or facility.
• Experience of training, supervising and setting objectives for a laboratory team and individual members.
• Competent at implementing a process or role change.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practise and Research Governance
• Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Human Tissue Act & Data Protection / Confidentiality
• Knowledge of Biological Safety related to CL2/3 and GMOs
• Knowledge of GCP, MHRA and HSE regulations

Desirable

• Significant/previous experience working in a Laboratory environment.
• Managing a lab team in a Clinical Trial Environment
• Having a multicentre role.

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Evidence of team management with significant management & organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing
• Excellent problem solving skills and complaints management
• Ability to forecast and plan workload for self and department as a whole
• Ability to manage and work both in a team and under own initiative
• Appreciation of Quality systems
• Good computer skills with an understanding of data entry
• Good interpersonal skills
• Willingness and ability to participate in continuing education in relation to the role
• Ability to cross site work Able to communicate with a diverse delivery team (not just scientists)
• Able to demonstrate reliability, honesty, respect and be innovative.
• Ability to work flexible hours / evenings to cover needs of the department.

Desirable

• Experience in handling CL3 specimens.
• Resolving complex laboratory issues.

Skills Required