**Please note that this vacancy is open to current University of Glasgow employees only**

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Job Purpose

Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS), with an annual income in excess of £1.3 million, has a major role in the multidisciplinary diagnosis and management of many diseases, in research projects and the teaching of veterinary and biomedical undergraduates. The histology service income has been increasing consistently over the last few years (£270k 2024-2025; £226k in 2023-2024; £225k 2022-2023; £203k 2021-2022; £187k 2020-2021). The purpose of this job is to manage all aspects of the delivery of the histopathology service within VDS by performing a range of duties proficiently, efficiently and effectively to deliver a quality, timely and cost effective diagnostic service for VDS and to support the administrative, scientific and laboratory staff within this multidisciplinary unit; to collaborate with academic clinical and scientific staff to support research programmes with relevance to the pathogenesis of disease and to actively support the teaching of undergraduates, postgraduates and training of other members of staff.

Specifically, the post holder will be responsible for the day to day running of the laboratory and will play a leading role in ensuring the safe and well organised functioning of the laboratory.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Management & Administration:

To lead and manage the technical and ancillary staff within the veterinary histopathology discipline of VDS.

Assume joint responsibility with the Head of Division for budget and staff management, as well as contributing to the strategy and business cases for this service.

Prepare and maintain all documentation relating to Health & Safety matters including fire, chemical (COSSH), genetically modified materials, standard operating procedures and any other relevant records, and ensuring staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students and visitors to the laboratory comply with all regulations.

Coordinate and maintain the integrated VDS technical and support staff database for holiday and sick leave to ensure adequate provision of advice and expertise. Assist staff within the histology team with any problems in the workplace and their professional development and be responsible for the management of cover in the event of sickness within VDS.

To contribute to the administrative work of the Unit/School as assigned by the Clinical Director, Head of Division and/or Line Manager.

Service Provision:

To manage a high-quality, yet rapid and efficient, histology service with the capacity to maintain the clinical referral workload necessary to support diagnostic services teaching, research and income generation. Prioritise and delegate tasks within the histopathology team.

When necessary, perform all core histopathology duties including trimming and processing of specimens, sectioning and staining (including special stains, immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridisation, digital slide scanning and interpretation) and ensure that all internal and external quality control standards comply to both manufacturers and external agencies directives.

Costing and procurement of consumables and equipment, ensuring that all laboratory equipment is maintained, including arranging servicing and repairs as required, all at best possible cost without compromising quality.

Assist in the development of novel approaches and techniques to aid diagnosis and research and exploit opportunities to enhance the income generation capability of the service.

To keep up to date with current developments in histology and continually update both knowledge and skills in histological techniques.

Active involvement/participation in practical/professional and/or clinical practice bodies related to histology.

To prepare and maintain the appropriate documentation for external accreditation of the histology laboratory.

Teaching:

Contribute to the delivery of teaching, training, imparting knowledge, skills and guidance to undergraduate and postgraduate students, residents, clinical scholars, registrars, nurses and technical staff through laboratory-based demonstrations and delivery of tutorials and seminars, as appropriate.

Engage and participate in appropriate histology CPD activities.

Research:

Responsible for keeping up-to-date records, documenting all experimental material processed and examined, techniques used, the biological materials generated in the course of experimental procedures and the subsequent archiving and preservation of both diagnostic and experimental sections and blocks.

These tasks are not exhaustive but simply highlight a number of key tasks the post holder may be expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1.  Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role.

OR Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4) or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training) and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

A2. Extensive theoretical and practical knowledge/skills in a wide range of diagnostic and research techniques within histology.

A3. Previous relevant experience of undergraduate teaching within the veterinary and veterinary biosciences degrees.

Desirable:

B1.  Involvement in National quality assessment schemes relevant to histology

Skills:

Essential

C1. Experience of planning and progressing technical/scientific work activities within general and professional guidelines or organisational policy using initiative and independent judgement.

C2. Comprehensive understanding of the field of veterinary histology.

C3. Proven communication and interpersonal skills.

C4. Ability to bring strategic direction to decision making.

C5. Ability to work with a high level of independence but also, and with great competence, within a team.

C6. Impart knowledge, skill and guidance to a wide range of staff and students when necessary.

C7. Ability to plan, design and organise classes for effective teaching.

C8. Recognition of normal and diseased tissue by histological examination techniques.

C9. Highly developed and advanced specialist skills in the disciplines of histology and immunohistochemistry.

C10. Understanding of relevant health and safety policies and procedures relative to the role.

C11. IT skills, including understanding and use of bespoke databases (e.g. Laboratory Information Management Systems).

C12. Ability to use specialised histology equipment.

Desirable:

D1. Ability to work in a highly flexible manner in a multidisciplinary environment.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post, having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role.

E2. Significant teaching experience at various levels of education.

Desirable:

F1. Substantial interpretive experience in pathogenesis and disease processes

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Wednesday 14th January 2026