Job summary
- Main area
- Pathology
- Grade
- Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 188-SCL060726
- Employer
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Southampton General Hospital
- Town
- Southampton
- Salary
- £57,528 - £64,750 pa or pa pro rata
- Closing
- 04/08/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 21/09/2026
Employer heading
Automated Biochemistry Section Manager
Band 8a
Job overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
We’re looking for an HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientist to lead the Automated Biochemistry department of our UKAS-accredited Clinical Biochemistry laboratory. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your career in a large, busy teaching hospital laboratory and to use your skills to shape the future of the service.
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS, we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will need:
• Significant expertise in all technical aspects of Clinical Biochemistry
• A proven track record of people management
• Experience of leading large projects
The Automated Biochemistry section at Southampton processes around 4,500 samples per day with a test repertoire that supports a large teaching hospital. Clinical specialities that the laboratory supports are wide-ranging and include cancer care, bone marrow transplantation, endocrinology, neurosciences, cardiothoracic surgery, paediatric and neonatal intensive care, ophthalmology, and vascular surgery. As Section Manager, you will report directly to the Operations Manager for Laboratory Medicine. You will have day-to-day technical and managerial responsibility for this busy section, comprising a large team working 24/7, as well as managerial responsibility for the point-of-care laboratory.
Person specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant MSc, Higher Specialist Certificate (IBMS) or equivalent
- HCPC Registered Biomedical Scientist
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- Significant, demonstrable, postgraduate practical, technical and theoretical experience in relevant clinical laboratory discipline
- In depth working knowledge and competency in laboratory bench areas, as appropriate
- Thorough knowledge of Laboratory Health and Safety arrangements
- In depth working knowledge and competency in laboratory bench areas, as appropriate
- Sound knowledge of common IT programme and excellent keyboard and IT skills
- Experience of interviewing and recruiting staff
- Ability to initiate changes in procedures or policies to induce service development
- Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing systems and processes to initiate change in laboratory practice
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential group
Desirable criteria
- Management Training
- Chartered Scientist
- Member of Professional Body
- Ability to perform technically advanced procedures as applicable
- An understanding of quality assurance procedures
- Experience of working in different laboratories
- Experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nicola Merrett
- Job title
- Consultant Clinical Scientist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02381206434
- Additional information
Rick Allan, Operations Manager, Laboratory Medicine – [email protected] 02381206706
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