Research Assistant - Phlebotomist (OXcan)

We are seeking a Research Assistant - Phlebotomist to work in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences. The successful candidate will be based at the John Radcliffe Hospital, where the Oxford Radcliffe Biobank (ORB) and Oxford Centre for Histopathology Research (OCHRe) offices and laboratories are located. 

In this patient-facing role the post-holder will lead and manage a complete range of end-to-end services for sample and data acquisition for research projects requesting tissue, blood and other bodily fluid samples, predominantly for the OXcan project. Working as part of ORB, the post-holder will work in partnership with OXcan to provide blood samples from patients at extended time-points during their hospital care. These vital samples are used to develop a minimally invasive liquid biopsy test for lung cancer recurrence monitoring and detection.

 

The post-holder will work to identify potential participants, approach patients attending clinics to discuss donating to research through ORB, obtain formal consent. With consent, the post-holder will take blood samples, process and store the derivatives within our laboratory and track samples within local systems. Sample collections and patient clinics occur between the John Radcliffe Hospital and Churchill Hospital. The post-holder will work within NHS databases and systems to coordinate between clinics and collections, monitor current donors and their hospital visits and implement new strategies for patient recruitment. You will also be required to support with clinical data collection and anonymisation. Working within a expanding and dedicated team, you will support with laboratory and equipment maintenance, including sub-zero freezers and liquid nitrogen stores.

 

A BSc in a scientific (or related) subject or equivalent, or having acquired substantial relevant experience is essential for this post. You must be phlebotomy trained and comfortable working with patients. You will be expected to develop good working relationships with clinical staff and to act as “Champion” for the OXcan project. Excellent communication skills are essential for this role, working with patients, clinical staff and surgical teams across hospitals. The successful candidate will need to explain and interpret procedures clearly and sensitively, and able to interact confidently with a wide range of internal and external contacts at all levels on a daily basis.

The successful candidate will have an awareness of relevant legislation related to human sample acquisition, storage and processing. There is opportunity to develop skills in histological techniques and help the technical team in our group, in addition to access to staff learning via the University of Oxford. You will be computer literate, including MS Office, accurate data entry skills and the ability to maintain, manage and interrogate electronic databases.

 

You will need to be willing to travel across different locations in Oxford University Hospitals and will have an ability to plan and manage your own work schedule, whilst remaining adaptable to changing priorities.

 

 

To apply for this vacancy online, please click the Apply button above. You will be required to upload a supporting statement, setting out how you meet the selection criteria, curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees as part of your online application. Please quote reference NDSA942 on all correspondence.

 

Only applications received before noon on Wednesday 4th September 2024 can be considered.

 

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 24th September 2024.

 

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