Tissue Handling Technician

Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford

Contract type: Fixed term until 31st December 2025

About the role

We are looking to fill the role of Tissue Handling Technician (Biobanker) to work in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences. The successful candidate will be based in at John Radcliffe Hospital, where the Oxford Radcliffe Biobank (ORB) and Oxford Centre for Histopathology Research (OCHRe) offices and laboratories are based. 

In this varied role in which you will be providing a complete range of end to end services for biological sample acquisition for Oxford Centre for Histopathology Research (OCHRe) approved biobanking projects. You will be supporting research projects conducted by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute (CAMS-COI). Working within OUH Trust NHS systems, the role includes identifying potential participants, obtaining consent and collecting, processing and allocating pathological/biological material and blood samples, in addition to collecting and processing clinical data. Sample collections occur between the John Radcliffe Hospital and the Churchill Hospital. You will also be required to support with laboratory and equipment maintenance, including sub-zero freezers and liquid nitrogen facilities. 

About you 

You will be expected to develop good working relationships with clinical teams, surgeons and other theatre staff and to act as “Champion” for generic ORB biobanking projects. You will be part of a team of tissue handling technicians and provide support other biobanking pathways when necessary. You will have previous experience of the consenting process or other patient facing interactions, and demonstrate the ability to manage sensitive data. Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. The successful candidate will need to explain and interpret procedures clearly and sensitively, and also have the ability to interact confidently with a wide range of internal and external contacts at all levels on a daily basis. 

The successful candidate will also have proven work experience in a laboratory performing basic laboratory techniques such as blood processing and will have an awareness of relevant legislation related to human sample acquisition, storage and processing. There is opportunity to develop skills in phlebotomy, histological techniques and help the technical team in our group, in addition to access to professional development training available to Oxford University Staff. You will be computer literate, including MS Office, accurate data entry skills and the ability to maintain and interrogate electronic databases. 

You will need to be willing to travel across different locations in Oxford University Hospitals and will have an ability to plan and manage your own work schedule, whilst remaining adaptable to changing priorities.  

Application Process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. You will be required to upload a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria, curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application. Please quote reference NDSA925 on all correspondence.  

Only applications received before noon 17 April 2024 can be considered. 

Interviews will be held in the morning of Friday 3 May 2024. 

Committed to equality and valuing diversity