NHS Ayrshire & Arran
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This post is a 12 Month Fixed Term / Secondment position
As per the Fixed Term Contacts Policy - Where individuals with continuous service within the NHS apply for fixed‑term contract roles, NSS reserves the right to refuse any such appointment.
About The Organisation National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best‑in‑class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high‑quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.
The Post As a major division within the NHS National Services Scotland, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) plays a vital role not only in the health of the people of Scotland but also on an international scale. We contribute and collaborate within the UK and internationally, significantly in biomedical research, blood screening and donor services. Our goal is to maintain the highest standards to patient care. The National Microbiology Reference Unit is part of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) with laboratories in the Jack Copland Centre located at the Heriot‑Watt University campus in Edinburgh.
The function of the NMRU is to provide both a frontline screening and confirmatory testing service for departments within the SNBTS as well as other health services to maintain the safety of the blood supply and blood products. A specialist biomedical scientist is required to carry out microbiological testing for a variety of viral markers transmissible by blood transfusion. The NMRU primarily provides a confirmatory testing service using a range of microbiological assays and algorithms. The post holder will be expected to train in all areas within the NMRU, including serological and molecular testing, and in addition be involved in validations, assay development and epidemiological research as required.
The Candidate You should hold an honours degree in Biomedical Sciences or a similar relevant qualification and be registered with the HCPC. You should have a high level of attention to detail and be proficient in standard Microsoft Office computer software. Experience with molecular biology techniques and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and/or microbiological serological techniques are desirable for this position.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.
Candidates must have current HCPC registration at the time of applying.
Location and Working Pattern The Jack Copland Centre, 52 Research Avenue N, Currie, EH14 4BE
Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.
Benefits Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work‑life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.
Inclusion NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot.
Further Information For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Dr Carol McInally, Consultant Clinical Scientist at carol.mcinally3@nhs.scot or 0131 314 5661.
Closing date for completed applications Monday 10th November 2025.
Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/.
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e‑mail only, so please check your e‑mail regularly (including junk folders).
NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Contract
Job function Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries Hospitals and Health Care
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at NHS Ayrshire & Arran by 2x
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Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
This post is a 12 Month Fixed Term / Secondment position
As per the Fixed Term Contacts Policy - Where individuals with continuous service within the NHS apply for fixed‑term contract roles, NSS reserves the right to refuse any such appointment.
About The Organisation National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national NHS Board operating right at the heart of NHSScotland providing invaluable support and advice at a strategic and operational level. NSS supports customers to deliver their services more efficiently and effectively and we offer shared services on a national scale using best‑in‑class systems and standards. Our priority is always the same – to improve the health and well‑being of the people of Scotland. We do this by working in partnership with colleagues across Health and Social Care to deliver fit for purpose solutions and systems, delivering high‑quality services that help our stakeholders to free up resources so they can be re‑invested into essential services.
The Post As a major division within the NHS National Services Scotland, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) plays a vital role not only in the health of the people of Scotland but also on an international scale. We contribute and collaborate within the UK and internationally, significantly in biomedical research, blood screening and donor services. Our goal is to maintain the highest standards to patient care. The National Microbiology Reference Unit is part of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) with laboratories in the Jack Copland Centre located at the Heriot‑Watt University campus in Edinburgh.
The function of the NMRU is to provide both a frontline screening and confirmatory testing service for departments within the SNBTS as well as other health services to maintain the safety of the blood supply and blood products. A specialist biomedical scientist is required to carry out microbiological testing for a variety of viral markers transmissible by blood transfusion. The NMRU primarily provides a confirmatory testing service using a range of microbiological assays and algorithms. The post holder will be expected to train in all areas within the NMRU, including serological and molecular testing, and in addition be involved in validations, assay development and epidemiological research as required.
The Candidate You should hold an honours degree in Biomedical Sciences or a similar relevant qualification and be registered with the HCPC. You should have a high level of attention to detail and be proficient in standard Microsoft Office computer software. Experience with molecular biology techniques and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and/or microbiological serological techniques are desirable for this position.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who has lived/worked overseas for more than 12 months in the preceding 5 years will also be required to provide a criminal record check from the appropriate overseas agency.
Candidates must have current HCPC registration at the time of applying.
Location and Working Pattern The Jack Copland Centre, 52 Research Avenue N, Currie, EH14 4BE
Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NSS.
Benefits Our benefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work‑life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits. HR Benefits Brochure.
Inclusion NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is a national board and, as an anchor institution, it is our ambition to be a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone feels welcome. We recognise that flexible working creates an inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and feel confident about their ability to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This is supported through Once for Scotland flexible working policies. NSS has made a long‑term commitment to staff health and well‑being and offers many learning and development opportunities to support and improve our approaches to diversity, inclusion and mental health in the workplace. There are a number of equality staff networks in place which all staff are welcome to join. We are also an equal opportunities employer and as such guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As an accredited Disability Confident Leader, it is the aim of NSS to offer a fully accessible and inclusive recruitment service that supports applicants on their candidate journey. If you are interested in any reasonable adjustments, please contact the Recruitment Team on NSS.wfrs@nhs.scot.
Further Information For an informal discussion on the post, please contact Dr Carol McInally, Consultant Clinical Scientist at carol.mcinally3@nhs.scot or 0131 314 5661.
Closing date for completed applications Monday 10th November 2025.
Further information on NSS is available from: https://www.nss.nhs.scot/.
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e‑mail only, so please check your e‑mail regularly (including junk folders).
NHS National Services Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and as committed participant in the disability confident scheme, guarantees to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.
Seniority level Entry level
Employment type Contract
Job function Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries Hospitals and Health Care
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at NHS Ayrshire & Arran by 2x
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr