Job Description

An exciting opportunity has become available at the RNOH for an individual interested in supporting clinical research within the NHS.
The Histopathology Department is looking for a full-time Band 3 Biobank Assistant to join our research team. The Biobank is based within the RNOH Histopathology department which provides NHS clinical diagnostics for sarcoma patients across the UK. Sarcoma is a rare cancer and patient survival has not significantly improved over the last 20 years. Access to these samples and clinical data is essential for translational research which is improving our understanding of sarcoma.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work within the Biobank research team run by Professor Adrienne Flanagan who leads sarcoma research in the UK. They will join a busy team of 3-4 research technicians and will play a vital part in supporting valuable research for patient benefit. The candidate will support the daily activities of the Biobank team by selecting, tracking and archiving samples (such as slides, wax blocks, frozen tissues and DNA/RNA) as well as performing other operational/administrative tasks to ensure the smooth running of the Biobank. In particular, they will be involved in a digital pathology project where thousands of slides will be scanned and linked to clinical data. These will contribute to a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) project which aims to develop algorithms that can recognise different tumour types, in collaboration with computational scientists at UCL.
About us
RNOH Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH) is the largest orthopaedic hospital in the UK and a global leader in our field. We provide a dynamic working environment where we support frontline staff to implement improvements so that we can realise our vision of being a world leading neuro-musculoskeletal hospital providing the best patient care and staff experience in the NHS, delivering world leading research, and offering a strong foundation of education, training and career progression. Our dedicated staff come from diverse backgrounds, and our patients benefit from the wide range of experience they bring to the trust. RNOH brings unrivalled expertise together in one place allowing us to deliver some of the world's most complex and innovative care to our patients. RNOH is rated good by the CQC and covers two sites, one in central London and one in Stanmore - which has recently opened The Stanmore Building, a new, state-of-the-art inpatient facility. For more information, please access the following link: https://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/
Details
Date posted
05 August 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
29,651 to 31,312 a year Per annum including HCAS
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
392-RNOH-1270
Job locations
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Brockley Hill
Stanmore, Middlesex
HA7 4LP
Job description
Job responsibilities
1.Selecting, preparing and scanning slides for digital pathology projects.2.Using databases and spreadsheets to collect and organise clinical data and to log and track research samples.3.Cleansing current databases and clinical information in preparation for the implementation of our new system.4.Preparing samples to be sent by courier, or receiving them from collaborators.5.Pseudonymising and storing patient and clinical trial samples appropriately.6.Identifying, using hospital databases, patients eligible to be approached for donating their tissue for research.7.Seeking consent from patients in person or otherwise.8.Collecting patient samples from operating theatres for research purposes.9.Preparing blood packs and consent forms for colleagues.10.Working flexibly between Stanmore and Bolsover St sites as required to contact patients.11.Attending Biobank team meetings.12.Administrative duties: scanning patient consent forms, pulling and archiving wax blocks and slides.13.Any other duties required to maintain the operation of the Biobank. Job description
Job responsibilities
1.Selecting, preparing and scanning slides for digital pathology projects.2.Using databases and spreadsheets to collect and organise clinical data and to log and track research samples.3.Cleansing current databases and clinical information in preparation for the implementation of our new system.4.Preparing samples to be sent by courier, or receiving them from collaborators.5.Pseudonymising and storing patient and clinical trial samples appropriately.6.Identifying, using hospital databases, patients eligible to be approached for donating their tissue for research.7.Seeking consent from patients in person or otherwise.8.Collecting patient samples from operating theatres for research purposes.9.Preparing blood packs and consent forms for colleagues.10.Working flexibly between Stanmore and Bolsover St sites as required to contact patients.11.Attending Biobank team meetings.12.Administrative duties: scanning patient consent forms, pulling and archiving wax blocks and slides.13.Any other duties required to maintain the operation of the Biobank.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• A BSc in a subject related to biological sciences.
• Willing to undergo relevant training
• Good A level/NVQ Level 3 qualifications.

• A MSc in a subject related to biological sciences.

• An interest in pursuing a career in science/healthcare/research related work.

• Aware of Health and Safety in healthcare/laboratory environments.
• Experience of working in a customer facing environment

• Basic IT skills - IT Skills (to be tested during probationary period)
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Experience of using spreadsheets to compare data.
• Inputs data accurately into spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience of using databases to search for information.

• Good numeracy & literacy skills (written and verbal) in English (e.g. GCSE level Maths, Science, English).

• Aware of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).

• A BSc in a subject related to biological sciences.
• Willing to undergo relevant training
• Good A level/NVQ Level 3 qualifications.

• A MSc in a subject related to biological sciences.

• An interest in pursuing a career in science/healthcare/research related work.

• Aware of Health and Safety in healthcare/laboratory environments.
• Experience of working in a customer facing environment

• Basic IT skills - IT Skills (to be tested during probationary period)
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Experience of using spreadsheets to compare data.
• Inputs data accurately into spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience of using databases to search for information.

• Good numeracy & literacy skills (written and verbal) in English (e.g. GCSE level Maths, Science, English).

• Aware of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).