Director of Bristol Bioresource Laboratories

The role

The Bristol Medical School has an exciting opportunity for a new Director to lead the Bristol Bioresource Laboratories (BBL).

BBL provides high quality sample processing, biobanking and Illumina Array genotyping services for researchers and cohort studies. As director you will enable academic endeavours with researchers in the UK and internationally and lead all BBL activity.

BBL manages samples for several UK studies including the world renowned Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

BBL is licensed by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) and holds ISO9001 certification, and the role holder will be the HTA Designated Individual.

BBL activity is located across two buildings, some in newly refurbished University laboratories at Southmead Hospital, and HTA Licenced activity is in a separate location (Oakfield House). Plans for a new building for the HTA activity are in development and you will be involved with planning and influencing the building infrastructure and management of the new facility.

Interview date: Friday 4th April (morning)

What will you be doing?

• Direct all activity in the Bristol Bioresource Laboratories including:
• Lead on strategic planning to maintain and develop BBL services, collaborating with key stakeholders to design, adapt, develop and deliver specialist biobanking services.
• Proactively develop creative and innovative solutions relevant to BBL activities to advance research and governance methods and practices, contributing to University strategy and to wider developments and changes in field.
• Act as Designated Individual for the Oakfield House HTA licence.
• Line manage the Bristol Bioresource Laboratories Team
• Act as an Executive Director of ALSPAC, responsible for scientific, strategic and operational management of biosamples.
• Provide expert technical input into specialist purchases.
• Contribute to or lead funding applications
• Manage facility budgets, financial planning and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation e.g. Health & Safety, HTA etc.
• React to and resolve unscheduled events following the failure of essential facilities.

You should apply if

You Have:

• Proven experience in biobanking, genotyping and biomarker analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of Human Tissue Act and research governance. With experience of working in a HTA licenced laboratory and/or one with clinical or quality certification.
• Experience of implementing or developing components of a quality management system such as that needed for HTA or ISO9001.
• Experience of collaborating and maintaining effective relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey technical information to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Experience of managing change and strong line management skills.
• Experience of securing grant funding/service contracts.

Additional information

Contract type: Open-ended (start 01/05/2025)

Work pattern: Full time/ 1 FTE

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 25/03/2025

For informal queries please contact: Dr Sue Ring (current role holder) s.m.ring@bristol.ac.uk or Amanda Carmichael (Senior School Manager) amanda.carmichael@bristol.ac.uk

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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