Biological Specimen Coordinator | The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
| Posting date: | 10 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £33,094 - £36,195 Per Annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 April 2026 |
| Location: | Chelsea, SW3 6JJ |
| Company: | The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 7860607/282-CR1336 |
Summary
Full Time 37.5 hours per week. 12 Months Fixed Term Contract.
We are looking for an enthusiastic Biological Specimen Coordinator to join our supportive and dedicated Head and Neck Research team, working predominantly within the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden NHS (RMHNST). The Head and Neck Unit at The Royal Marsden is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and is one of the largest research teams within the trust. It is recognised worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating cancers of the head and neck. The Royal Marsden has now also become the world’s first International Centre for Recurrent Head & Neck Cancer (IReC). IReC has an ambitious aim to create a centre of excellence and set international standards in the curative treatment, palliation, and supportive care of recurrent head and neck cancers.
The successful candidate will liaise with a variety of staff throughout the Royal Marsden NHS (RMHNHST) and Institute of Cancer (ICR) and will have a close working relationship with the current specimen coordinators.
• The post holder will work predominantly within the ICR and RMHNST and be responsible for collecting, cataloguing, and processing clinical samples from both Chelsea and Sutton sites.
• Processing, labelling, managing, and tracking the collection and sending of samples in compliance with all current regulations and SOPs.
• Storing samples in the appropriate conditions (e.g., fridges and freezers at -80oC).
• Receiving samples in-house at the ICR or Royal Marsden NHS Trust (located in close proximity) and travelling, where necessary, to collect samples taken elsewhere in the trust.
• Manage the data associated with the collected samples and other archival materials, accurately recording, and tracking each sample.
• To participate in regular tissue audits.
• Develop a useful set of laboratory skills associated with processing samples
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, protocols, Standard Operational Procedures and Departmental and National Policies (The Human Tissue Act)
• To freeze tissue at -80oC or in liquid nitrogen (training will be provided)
• To process tissue and blood samples as required e.g. Separating plasma and cells
• To send samples, sometimes using dry ice as requested via external courier services
• To work semi-independently across 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 the head, neck, and thyroid clinical trials unit.
• To communicate effectively with members of the team and other organizations
• To travel to other clinical centres as required collecting tissue
• To coordinate the dispatch of samples to other centres as specified by trial protocols
• To manage collections of frozen clinical material already present in tissue banks
This advert closes on Tuesday 24 Mar 2026
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.