Clinical Scientist Microbiology

Role overview

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is looking for an HCPC-registered Clinical Scientist to join its collaborative Clinical Microbiology team. The role sits at the centre of service improvement and innovation, supporting the introduction of high-throughput automation and sequencing-led diagnostics to help build a modern, efficient microbiology service.

This post is particularly suitable for someone with hands-on experience in next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, microbial genomics, and metagenomics.

Service context

The Clinical Microbiology service supports one of the UK’s largest teaching hospital trusts as well as primary care, serving a population of more than 1 million people. The catchment area includes high ethnic diversity and a wide range of socioeconomic circumstances, creating a broad and distinctive mix of infectious disease cases and making the work varied and professionally engaging.

The service also works in partnership with NHS trusts in Northamptonshire and operates within the East Midlands Pathology Network, giving the post holder opportunities to contribute to collaborative work that influences infection diagnostics across the local area and the wider region.

Research is a strong feature of the department’s work. The team contributes to NIHR-funded, academic, and industry-backed studies focused on novel diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, respiratory infections, and migrant health.

Main purpose of the role

The successful candidate will support the delivery of a patient-centred, efficient, and quality-focused Clinical Microbiology service. A key part of the role is helping improve the service through evaluation, validation, and implementation of innovative diagnostic methods, with particular emphasis on molecular diagnostics and microbial genomics.

Key duties

• Help identify and prioritise opportunities to improve the Clinical Microbiology service by developing, evaluating, and validating new diagnostic techniques, especially those based on molecular methods and microbial genomics.
• Carry out and confirm Clinical Microbiology services, with a strong focus on molecular diagnostics, microbial genomics, and emerging technologies.
• Analyse, approve, and issue microbiology results, offering professional advice where needed.
• Contribute to research, development, and innovation work, including joint projects with UHL, local universities, and national networks such as the NHS Respiratory Metagenomics Network.

Strategy and values

The trust’s 2023-2030 strategy is built around four main goals: delivering high-quality care for all, being a great place to work, forming partnerships that create impact, and achieving excellence in research and education.

Health equality is a core commitment, with active efforts to reduce avoidable differences in healthcare by working alongside communities.

The organisation’s values are described as being compassionate, proud, inclusive, and one team.

Additional information

This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to help shape the future of infection diagnostics while contributing to a service that combines clinical delivery, innovation, collaboration, and research.

For an informal conversation about the role, contact Dr Chris Holmes, Consultant Clinical Scientist, preferably by email.

Contact details: c.holmes1@nhs.net, 07483938822.

About the organisation: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.