Consultant in Advanced Therapies / Qualified Person
On 1 April 2026, NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and NHS Education for Scotland (NES) became one national organisation, focused on continuity today and a stronger, more connected service for tomorrow.
As part of this transformation, NSS and NES have joined to form a new organisation: Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland). This new organisation will play a pivotal role in supporting the renewal and ensuring the long-term sustainability of health and care services across Scotland.
About the Organisation:
PSD Scotland unites expertise from NES and NSS in a way that will allow us to accelerate national programmes to support the NHS to deliver better care, now and in the future.
We support staff with education and training, provide the tools and data that improve services, and run vital national functions such as procurement, logistics and blood, tissue and cell services.
The Post:
As a vital part of NHS Scotland, Public Services Delivery Scotland’s purpose is to support Scotland’s Health. We do this by providing a range of specialised support services that enable NHS Boards to focus their efforts on health improvement and delivering world class patient care.
The core purpose of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is to meet the blood, tissue and cellular needs of patients in Scotland. In support of this, the SNBTS Tissues, Cells and Advanced Therapeutics (TCAT) Directorate is committed to a programme that will enhance the service provided to NHS Scotland in both clinical and operational areas, through the provisions of a range of tissue, cellular and advanced therapy medicinal products. SNBTS undertakes research and development which is designed to support the strategic and operational priorities of the organisation, achieve high quality and impact and add value to broader NHS and Governmental objectives.
This is a critical role in TCAT, the successful candidate will provide professional leadership and strategic direction to SNBTS in respect to the quality and safety of manufacture of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) including cell, gene and tissue-engineered products. As the Subject Matter Expert (SME) the postholder will provide specialist ATMP manufacturing and testing advice to SNBTS and other partners, contributing to internal and external projects throughout their life-cycle to ensure effective, efficient and safe development and manufacturing of ATMPs.
Website: Advanced Therapeutics - TCAT at SNBTS
The appointed candidate undertake Qualified Person (QP) responsibilities as defined in the Code of Practice for Qualified Persons of the Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, or the Royal Society of Chemistry (as appropriate) and will be a named QP on the relevant Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) licences: Manufacturers and Importers Authorisation (MIA) and Manufacturers and Importers Authorisation for Investigational Medicinal Products MIA(IMP) held by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service in accordance with the requirements of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/1916).
The Candidate:
The successful candidate will hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant bioscience, biomedical or pharmaceutical subject. In order to meet the SME requirements of this role, and the extensive knowledge needed to effectively comprehend and input into Advanced Therapies projects, a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant biological/biomedical field is an essential requirement.
The candidate, at the time of applying, must meet the requirements of the QP as detailed in articles 49 and 50 of Directive 2001/83/EU / UK SI 2012/1916 (as amended), Schedule 7 (Part 1 defines qualification requirements of the QP and Part 3 defines QP Obligations) or under transitional arrangements as defined in paragraph 43 of the Statutory Instruments 2004 No. 1031, The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulation 2004 and be an eligible QP that can be named on a MIA(IMP). Additionally, the candidate shall be able to demonstrate extensive expertise and experience in releasing ATMP/ATIMP products for clinical use, including genetically modified cell therapies and/or gene therapies in addition to cell therapies. A strong and proven track record in leading GMP manufacturing programs will also be essential for the successful candidate.
Personally, the successful candidate will be an independently-minded expert and leader who can manage multiple projects and conflicting priorities at any one time, maintaining a professional and supportive manner with colleagues and customers at all levels.
The successful candidate may be required to undergo a PVG Scheme/Disclosure Scotland check. Any candidate who have 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.
Location and Working Pattern:
Based at the Jack Copland Centre, Edinburgh the successful candidate will also be expected to spend a significant proportion of their time at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR) in Little France, Edinburgh.
Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week.
Hybrid working and compressed hours requests will be considered.
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK and have entitlement to work in the UK for the post in which you will be employed.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo a PVG Scheme check. Any candidate who have 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.
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:
Public Services Delivery Scotland is a national organisation 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. PSD Scotland 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 aim to 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 PSD Scotland 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 Lorna McLintock, SNBTS Medical Director, at Lorna.McLintock2@nhs.scot; or Evelyn McLennan, SNBTS Associate Director of Quality & Regulatory Compliance, at Evelyn.McLennan@nhs.scot
Closing date for completed applications is 14th September 2026; interviews will be conducted on 30th September 2026
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).
We are 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 however, where exceptionally high application volumes make this impracticable, a fair and proportionate shortlisting approach will be applied in line with Disability Confident guidance
