Head of Research – OTDT (Tissue & Eye Services)

Job title:

Head of Research – OTDT (Tissue & Eye Services)

Company

NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT)

Job description

You will help save and improve lives as you lead on Research for Tissue & Eye Services, within the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (OTDT) directorate of NHS Blood and Transplant Within this senior, high profile role you will be expected to develop innovative methods for the preparation of safer and more efficacious tissue allografts while also playing an integral part in directorate-wide problem solving and strategic planning. You will liaise with clinical and academic collaborators, identify sources of funding, and lead on the application for, and management of, research grants to support the development of improved and novel processing protocols and tissue allografts for transplantation. You will manage post doctoral researchers and also, via the Research Tissue Bank manager, our Research Tissue Bank. The Tissue & Eye Services Research Tissue Bank, exists to provide non-clinical human tissues to academia, pharma and clinicians, within the UK, and in this role you will understand and help meet their needs, developing closer collaborations where feasible.You will be expected to work with people of all levels across the whole of the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation (OTDT) directorate and the wider NHS Blood and Transplant, and as such this role suits a confident person with strong communication skills.You will have the opportunity to apply your strong communication, presentation, analytical and questioning skills, applying attention to detail and accuracy at all times.You will be part of the Tissue & Eye Services Senior Leadership Team, working autonomously to lead research developments within the field of tissue banking while ensuring the requirements of your operational colleagues are managed. As Head of Research, you will work closely with the Head of Development and their team, ensuring the seamless ‘bench to bedside’ transition of projects from initial research through development, clinical evaluation GMP manufacture and finally transplantation.Main duties of the jobIn this role you will be responsible for heading the research for Tissue & Eye Services team (TES).Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing Professional Scientific Leadership to the TES Research Team, Production and Retrieval Teams.
• Leading on research into new and novel tissue products for transplantation.
• Taking care and managing the Tissue & Eye Services Research Tissue Bank.
• Line manage the Postdoctoral Research assistants and the Research Tissue Bank Manager.
• Being accountable for creating and developing education, training and peer review packages relating to tissue research for TES colleagues and relevant stakeholders.
• To co-ordinate and motivate a wide range of multi professional staff, both across NHSBT and externally to help deliver the research strategy.
• Identification, application, governance, and overall management of Research grants relating to Tissue & Eye Services
• Developing and promoting collaborative working strategies with colleagues across OTDT using interpersonal, motivational, negotiating, and influencing skills.

You will be required to travel and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior noticeAbout YouExperience and Knowledge

• Significant management or supervisory experience within a blood service/tissue banking, or similar clinical/healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of the clinical application of tissue allografts
• Experience of handling tissue and deceased donors.
• Understanding of research methodologies.
• Experience of managing change control for complex projects
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, EU Directive and other relevant statutory guidelines.
• Up to date knowledge of current professional Production and Scientific issues relating to tissue banking.
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint)

Qualifications and Training

• Educated to PhD level in an area deemed relevant to Tissue and Eye Banking
• Scientific knowledge to master’s level in a related field either by examination e.g. MSc or equivalent experience plus relevant courses.
• Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

Please view the recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification for the full personal attributes we require for the role. You will need to demonstrate these throughout the recruitment process.About UsIt takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work – and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference – Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever.You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.What we offer:

• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
• 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
• We’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on 23rd February 2025.A video brief round will take place before the final interviews, with details to be shared closer to the dates (3rd-7th March 2025).Interviews are anticipated to be held on 23rd March 2025 – subject to confirmationTo apply please click hereFor informal enquiries please contact – Name: Kyle Bennett, Job Title: Assistant Director – Tissue & Eye Services, Contact Details: kyle.bennett@nhsbt.nhs.ukFor sponsorship eligibility for this role, please refer to the UK Visas and Immigration guidance on Skilled Worker Visas

Expected salary

Location

England

Job date

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 23:17:38 GMT

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