Tissue Services Manager - Advanced Therapies Facility - 54579 - Grade 7

Human Biomaterials Resource Centre

Location: Advanced Therapies Facility, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £40,927

Grade 7

Full Time Fixed Term Contract (1 year)

Closing Date: 7th November 2021
 

Job Summary

The post-holder will be responsible for managing the effective and efficient delivery of the services offered by the Human Biomaterials Resource Centre (HBRC), with a particular emphasis towards tissue-based processing services. This includes the provision of human biomaterials to biomedical research groups, the provision of histological services, and also the provision of a safe and reliable hosting service for specific sample collections. Services will involve handling human tissue samples collected from patients in a wide range of disease settings and/or being analysed as part of clinical trials, and may also encompass work with pre-clinical models (e.g. non-human tumour material and primary human tumour cell lines). These services must be delivered in a manner compliant with the relevant legislation and regulatory approvals covering the collection and use of human samples, in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, with Data protection laws, and also in accordance with the HBRC Business Plan to maintain financial sustainability. 

The HBRC is a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) licensed, ethically approved human sample biorepository situated at the University of Birmingham which is dedicated to the collection and storage of appropriately consented, quality-assured biomaterials for distribution to biomedical research groups both in academia and industry. The facility also provides tissue-based histological services, and hosts valuable sample collections. The role of the HBRC is to facilitate the funding and expedition of high quality clinical research in Birmingham. Ultimately the HBRC will be a valuable resource, not only for local scientists, but also for researchers throughout the UK and EU, including the commercial sector. The HBRC exists in a purpose-built fully-equipped facility set up through the regional development agency Advantage West Midlands Science City Translational Medicine Programme, with investment from University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Birmingham and the MRC.  

The post-holder will require strong organisational skills and will be expected to lead a team of more junior staff focussed on sample collection and processing laboratory work. They will also require good communication skills to ensure effective interaction with the basic science and clinical research communities, clinicians and surgeons, pathologists and senior management within the University and local NHS Trusts. Above all, the provision of an effective, on-budget service, and the unpredictable nature of sample collection, will require that the post-holder has flexibility and the prioritisation skills to function when there are conflicting demands and pressures. 

Main duties

It is a requirement for both HTA and GCP compliance that all procedures within the HBRC are carried out according to strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which comply with all current regulations, legislation and governance arrangements surrounding the research use of human tissues and handling of clinical trial samples, and with Health and Safety regulations.

• To supervise the collection of consented human biomaterials (tissue, blood or other body fluids) from patients within local NHS Trusts and from normal healthy donors. This will involve careful oversight to ensure samples are collected according to weekly schedules and also at unexpected times. It may also involve the development and successful implementation of new collection pathways and procedures, in liaison with the relevant coordinators.

• To manage the processing of samples within the HBRC prior to storage or release to researchers according to strict standard operating procedures developed to ensure high quality materials appropriate for their research use e.g. fixation and paraffin embedding of tissue, and elements of the storage service. To develop and implement new techniques and standard operating procedures if required. Wherever possible, to ensure that researchers receive their services in an efficient and timely manner according to the timescales outlined in their research application(s)/service requests.

• To ensure that all necessary procedures for sample anonymisation and the handling of patient identifiable information are strictly adhered to, and that all records and electronic tracking logs related to sample procurement, receipt, processing, storage and release of samples are maintained.

• To manage the provision of HBRC histological services, including tissue selection, fixation, paraffin embedding, and sectioning/staining of tissue. This will include the necessary quality control checks required prior to release in order meet standards of GCP-in-laboratories. Wherever possible, the post-holder must ensure that these services are delivered efficiently.

• To liaise with clinical pathologists in order to select the most appropriate cases for histological and downstream work. The post-holder will be expected to have sufficient knowledge and experience to advise researchers on the most appropriate techniques to be used.

• To supervise the hosting service offered by the HBRC and thereby ensure that samples are stored under safe and reliable conditions, and that complete audit trails are maintained.

• To serve as line manager to the technical team, and eventually to selected members of the coordination team. To lead the training and development of HBRC technical staff.

• To assist the General Manager with cost modelling, quote generation, and invoicing.

• To oversee equipment maintenance, monitoring and use of equipment within the HBRC.

• To contribute to the further development of the Quality Management System within the HBRC. This will involve the development and review of new policies and standard operating procedures.

• To assist with internal and external audits, and to contribute to regulatory inspections.

To deliver the duties outlined above the post-holder will be expected to effectively manage a team of more junior staff who undertake specific tasks and/or are assigned to specific projects. They will be expected to train, mentor and assist new staff and also to undertake annual professional development reviews.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• BSc (or equivalent), in a life or biological science, or biomedical science

• In-depth, up to date specialist knowledge and expertise in core techniques such as human tissue processing and sectioning, with an understanding of how these might impact on the quality of downstream chemical staining and immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridisation, and leading-edge techniques in healthcare and laboratory settings

• A sound knowledge of regulations and requirements surrounding the procurement and storage of human tissue for research e.g. Human Tissue Act 2004 and the associated Codes of Practice, and GCP

• An understanding of the NHS environment and of the ethical issues surrounding human sample collection and use

• Knowledge of the policies and procedures related to research, clinical and information governance; both within the University and the NHS

• Experience of standards-driven Quality Management Systems and audit

• Biomedical research experience to enable effective interaction with a wide spectrum of research disciplines in order to see the likely areas of fruitful tissue collection and relevant technologies.

• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Ability to manage time effectively, progress tasks concurrently and work to deadlines

• Ability to prioritise when there are conflicting demands and pressures

• Good communication and excellent interpersonal skills

• Ability to transfer knowledge and competency to new team members

• Ability to deal with sensitive and/or emotionally demanding human resources issues

• Ability to review, develop and propose solutions for problems with staff, services and systems

• Awareness and understanding of commercial drivers and principles for biomedical research

• Knowledge and experience of using electronic databases

• Knowledge and experience of laboratory safety and risk assessment

Informal enquires to Dr Gareth Bicknell, email: [email protected]

Further particulars can be found here:http://www.download.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/jd/MDSFPs.pdf

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working