Biomedical Scientist - Microbiology

Role overview

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Biomedical Scientist specialising in Microbiology for its Ipswich Hospital site. This opportunity is ideal for an HCPC-registered biomedical scientist who enjoys working in a lively, collaborative environment and contributing to a service that supports patient care through reliable laboratory work. Prior experience in Microbiology would be an advantage.

The post sits within Ipswich Hospital’s pathology service, which is focused on delivering modern, high-performing, customer-centred diagnostics that are consistently high quality and fully compliant.

The Trust is committed to attracting and keeping skilled pathology professionals and offers a supportive environment for career progression. A dedicated Pathology Training Team is in place to help build a highly capable workforce through ongoing learning and development.

Key duties

• Carry out laboratory investigations in a defined service area using manual, semi-automated, and fully automated methods with accuracy and efficiency.
• Complete quality control checks and process control materials according to approved procedures.
• Help manage day-to-day stock levels and usage within the laboratory.
• Stay informed about new developments and assess emerging techniques.
• Review, interpret, and validate results, escalating concerns when required by protocol.
• Keep equipment clean and maintained so that it performs optimally, while supporting a safe and tidy work environment.
• Carry out basic troubleshooting within set procedures and report faults to senior colleagues.
• Contribute to research and development activity, clinical trials, and equipment evaluation/testing.

Working pattern

The role requires flexibility to meet service demands. This may involve longer working days and weekend shifts.

About the organisation

ESNEFT provides hospital and community healthcare services to nearly one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Its teams deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, GP surgeries, community clinics, and patients’ own homes. The Trust is one of the largest NHS employers in England, with more than 12,000 staff.

Staff development is strongly supported through training, career growth opportunities, flexible working options, a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments where applicable, 27 days of annual leave at the start of employment on a pro rata basis, access to NHS discounts, and a Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offering a range of services.

The Trust’s “Time Matters” philosophy focuses on improving processes and removing delays for both staff and patients. ESNEFT is also investing in digital transformation through a partnership with Epic, a leading electronic patient record supplier, to bring a world-class EPR system into the organisation.

Contact for informal enquiries

Name: Emma Whittaker
Job title: Microbiology Laboratory Manager
Email: emma.whittaker@esneft.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01473 703750