Laboratory Technician

Main area Rheumatology Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract 12 months (Fixed term to deliver specific project) Hours 37.5 hours per week (This is a full-time post, Mon-Fri to support processing of incoming patient samples from our 5-day service) Job ref 213-CORP-

Employer King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Kings College Hospital - Denmark Hill Town Denmark Hill Salary £34,186 - £37,389 per annum inc HCA's Salary period Yearly Closing 04/08/:59

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.

We are looking to appoint a Band 4 laboratory technician to the Wincup Lab, to support the FOREUM funded research project 'Predicting Risk of Evolution to Lupus through Understanding Dysfunctional Immune Tolerance in Exhausted Tregs (PRELUDE)'. The Wincup lab is a translational immunology group led by Dr Chris Wincup (Consultant Rheumatologist at King's College Hospital / Adjunct Senior Lecturer at King's College London).

The group focuses on the immunopathology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related autoimmune diseases and is comprised of Rheumatology Researchers including clinicians and post-doctoral research associates, and as part of the Centre for Rheumatic Disease Clinical Trials Group, work closely with Clinical Research Nurses, Clinical Research Practitioners, and trial coordinators for project delivery. Our Centre was recently recognised as a EULAR Centre of Excellence for the quality of research conducted. The Rheumatology Research Team also have a close working relationship with the NIHR King's Clinical Research Facility with access to staff cover and facilities, and partnerships with Haematology and Renal research teams.

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.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the management and maintenance of samples processed within the Wincup lab alongside the lab group post-doctoral research associates. You will also be responsible for contributing to robust Standard Operating Procedures related to this area of practice. The post-holder will require proficiency in core immunology techniques including peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) isolation, cell culture, and multiparameter flow cytometry. The post-holder will be responsible for processing samples from a longitudinal patient cohort, performing functional Treg assays, and contributing to the maintenance of a well organised biobank.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Process peripheral blood samples from SLE patients and at risk individuals enrolled in the PRELUDE study, including PBMC isolation, cryopreservation, and biobanking.
• Maintain and organise the PRELUDE study biobank, ensuring accurate sample tracking and storage logs.
• Perform multiparameter flow cytometry to characterise regulatory T cell (Treg) phenotype and function, including panel preparation, sample acquisition, and data export.
• Contribute to flow cytometry data analysis using FlowJo or equivalent software.
• Conduct functional Treg suppression assays and other cell based immunological assays as directed by the post doctoral team.
• Carry out molecular biology techniques including RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and gene expression analysis where required.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in line with GCP and institutional requirements.
• Follow departmental SOPs and prepare samples accurately.
• Use computer systems correctly, entering data accurately from transcription sheets or request forms.
• Assist in the training and supervision of staff / students working in the Wincup Group as part of their induction.
• Ensure all research activity is conducted in accordance with relevant NHS and university research governance frameworks.
• Attend and contribute to regular laboratory meetings and journal clubs.
• Assist with ordering laboratory consumables and maintaining equipment logs.
• Contribute to the preparation of data for presentations, grant reports, and manuscripts as directed.

Person specification

• BSc degree in Immunology, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, or closely related life science discipline.
• MSc or higher degree in a relevant subject area.
• GCP certification (must be obtained prior to or shortly after commencement of post).

Knowledge and experience

• Hands on wet laboratory experience, including cell culture and PBMC isolation.
• Experience with multiparameter flow cytometry, including panel preparation and sample acquisition.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, gene expression analysis).
• Familiarity with flow cytometry analysis software (e.g., FlowJo).
• Basic data analysis skills, including experience with R, Python, or equivalent.
• Experience working within a clinical or translational research setting.

Skills and competencies

• Competency in standard IT and data management tools.
• Ability to communicate effectively using clear written and spoken English.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Working for our organization

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. Transforming Healthcare is the vision at the heart of the King's Strategy - 2026 to 2031. Together, we are pursuing six strategic ambitions: delivering high-quality patient care; being a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long term financial sustainability. Achieving these ambitions will require all of us to work as one Team King's, united by a shared commitment to our values of being caring, collaborative, inclusive and innovative. By living these values every day, we will transform healthcare for our patients, our communities and each other.

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.