Biological Specimen Coordinator

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our large multi-disciplinary cancer research team in GI and Lymphoma as a biological specimen coordinator and data manager. An active interest in cancer research, and the ability to work semi-independently within a multi-disciplinary team are essential.
The role will be primarily based in Sutton site for the first instance. However, you will be expected to work across both our sites in Fulham Road
- Chelsea and Sutton Surrey as and when required.
You may also need to support the GI/Lymphoma team with the possibility of occasional visits to other hospitals to retrieve tissue.
You will need to interact on a daily basis with clinicians, nurses and scientists on the research team and outside the hospital and it is, therefore, vital that you possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will be working under the supervision of the (Lead)Translational Research Managers & Senior Biological Specimen Coordinators to ensure that cancer tissue samples, bloods and other biological samples are collected, processed and managed according to protocol to support and aid the unit’s large portfolio of cancer research trials. You must therefore be highly organised and meticulous in your working methods.
Interviews will be held on 29 th November 2024.
The post holder will work within the Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust (RMHNHST)and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) Tissue Collection Facility and responsible, in conjunction with the current GI and Lymphoma biological specimen co-ordinators and senior biological specimen coordinators for collecting, cataloging and processing clinical samples (usually tumour and blood specimens) belonging to the GI and Lymphoma Clinical Trials Unit, supporting the unit across both locations of the Trust.
The job involves working as an integral part of a busy research department, collecting patient samples for ongoing studies.
This will include collection of old and new tissue samples, processing and labeling samples, managing the collection of samples and storing samples in the appropriate conditions (eg fridges and freezers at -70 o C).
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
To ensure the timely and efficient collection of samples
To ensure accurate labelling of samples
To ensure that the work is carried out in line with laboratory Manuals, Standard Operational Procedures and Departmental and National Policies (The Human Tissue Act)
To freeze tissue at -8 0 o C or in liquid nitrogen
To process tissue and blood samples as required eg. Separating plasma and cells
To send samples, sometimes using dry ice as requested via external courier services
To work semi-independently at a number of sites to ensure timely collection of samples for use by the research team.
To liaise with scientists and clinicians between the RMHNHST and the ICR
To liaise closely and coordinate tissue collection and data collection with the Clinical Research Nurses, the Histopathology departments of the RMNHST and the ICR and other members of Professor Cunningham, Dr Chau’s and Dr Rao’s teams
To communicate effectively with members of the team and other organizations