Translational Research Facilitator

We are looking for a highly motivated and resourceful individual to join the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team (ECMT) as a Translational Research Facilitator (TRF).

The TRF is responsible for obtaining, tracking and storage of human material samples in accordance with all relevant legislation and governance requirements for early phase and translational cancer research studies. The successful candidate must have exceptional attention to detail, required for intricate sample tracking tasks.

This role will involve supporting the sample management for commercial clinical trials (obtaining samples and sending them to central laboratories for research analysis), and supporting large translational research projects such as TARGET National (including preparation for and attendance at national molecular tumour board meetings).

The post holder will also on occasion asked to support a post-mortem study, including attendance at post-mortems to support sample collection.

Experience of working with samples, within a biobank or in a laboratory setting is beneficial for this role, though full training will be provided.

The TRF role is full-time office based at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. This role will involve working across clinical and translational research studies to:

- Collect human tissue samples (via attendance at biopsies or through requests to external hospitals)

- Track samples accurately using an in-house LIMS system

- Maintain appropriate storage of human tissue samples including supporting senior team members with auditing of samples on site. This may involve spending time in a laboratory-based environment particularly working with frozen samples.

- Arrange for prompt shipment of samples as required for patients on clinical trials

The post holder will also be expected to support with electronic data management, and preparation for national Molecular Tumour Board meetings.

This role is largely administrative/ office-based with the expectation that the post holder will attend biopsies and support sample processing where required.

Informal discussions prior to application are encouraged. If you would like to discuss the role please contact Emma Darlington ().

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world;

chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Sample Collection and Processing

a) Assist with the collection of tissue and clinical data for clinical and translational research programmes within Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Experimental Pharmacology.

b) Liaise with the clinical team to identify patients who require sample collection and processing by attending team meetings, MDTs, etc and liaise with other departments and outside hospitals as appropriate.

c) Liaise and communicate effectively with all relevant staff involved in sample collection and handling including, researchers, phlebotomists, surgeons, pathologists, theatre staff, and other health care professionals in a polite and professional manner.

d) Assist with arranging the collection of biological samples as required and undertake sample processing, liaising and involving laboratory staff where necessary.

e) Undertake shipment of samples from the collection site to the analysis/storage site, ensuring the quality of the samples is maintained and in line with all local and national policy.

f)…