Deputy Head of Stem Cell Laboratory

Deputy Head of Stem Cell Laboratory

The closing date is 18 March 2026.

The post holder will support the Laboratory Director in the effective operational management of the Stem Cell Laboratory, including oversight of laboratory workload planning, staff management and development, competency assessment, clinical trial activity, and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs).

The role also encompasses liaison with internal and external stakeholders and the responsible management of laboratory resources to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable service delivery.

The post holder is expected to maintain comprehensive knowledge of national and international regulatory frameworks governing stem cell processing, including those of Human Tissue Authority (HTA), the Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT-Europe & EBMT (JACIE), and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The individual will ensure that laboratory practice remains fully compliant with current standards and is responsive to forthcoming regulatory developments.

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

The role requires advanced specialist knowledge of stem cell biology, underpinned by a broad understanding of related disciplines including immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology, enabling informed scientific and clinical decision-making.

Working collaboratively within the Stem Cell Laboratory team, the post holder will uphold the highest standards of quality and governance within this highly regulated environment. The position involves the delivery of complex, scientific procedures requiring advanced technical proficiency, including cryopreservation, flow cytometry, and colony-forming assays.

The post holder will contribute to the supervision and continuous improvement of laboratory practice through audit participation, performance monitoring, and the structured training and competency assessment of scientific and support staff within their scope of expertise. They will undertake aseptic processing within a GMP-compliant clean-room environment for service provision and training purposes, as required.

Due to the clinical nature of the service, flexibility is essential to accommodate late-running collections and unplanned emergency procedures. The laboratory is transitioning to an extended-hours rota covering seven days per week, and participation in this rota will be expected.

For a comprehensive overview of the role, including the full job description and person specification, please refer to the attached JD & PS document.

• BSc Biomedical Sciences or equivalent
• MSc Biomedical Science (or equivalent)
• State Registration (Health Professions Council)

• Experience of Quality Management Systems and Quality Control and Assurance management
• Risk management theory and practice
• Teaching and training skills
• Significant experience of management of staff and Stem Cell Lab work
• Experience in a Stem Cell laboratory performing Flow cytometry, cryopreservation and cell…