Job reference: 005903
Salary: £53,755 to £60,504 per annum
Closing date: 02/03/2025
Department: Statistics & Clinical Research
Location: Bristol Filton
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Contract Duration: Not applicable

Job Description

For sponsorship eligibility for this role, please refer to the UK Visas and Immigration guidance on Skilled Worker Visas.

Job Summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority within the NHS, responsible for optimising the supply of blood, organs, plasma and tissues and raising the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of blood and transplant services.

The Statistics and Clinical Research group is responsible for the design and analysis of studies in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, blood donation and transfusion medicine. The NHSBT Clinical Trials Unit is part of the group and is responsible for the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials in all areas of NHSBT’s activity. The analysis and interpretation of results informs decision-making on developments in donation, transplantation and transfusion, the clinical care of donors and patients, and equity of access to treatment.

A permanent opportunity has arisen for a Principal Statistician, tenable at our offices in Bristol, with hybrid working from home for some days if preferred. You will lead statistical work in an area of transfusion medicine or organ and tissue donation and transplantation and engage in a broad range of statistical and management activities. You will have line management responsibility for a small group, and be a member of the Statistics Management Group, which provides leadership for the team.

In return, we offer a dynamic and friendly working environment where teamwork is highly valued. Personal development is also considered a priority and is supported through extensive training and development opportunities open to all employees.

Main duties of the job

The Statistics and Clinical Research service of NHSBT is responsible for the design and analysis of studies in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, blood donation and transfusion medicine. Your individual responsibilities will include:

  • Providing expertise on a specialist area (such as the design and analysis of clinical trials or kidney transplantation) and reporting results of statistical analyses of data to the NHSBT specialist Advisory Groups, the Department of Health, clinicians in blood and transplantation services and other interested parties
  • Co-ordinating, planning and allocating the work of the Directorate as part of the statistics management team in line with the workload of the service and business and clinical research plans.
  • Advising senior and other statisticians on work issues such as priorities, managing workloads, appropriate courses of action and database issues in both their specialist area and project work to help staff work more effectively.
  • Being responsible for full line management, including appraisal, staff development, staff motivation, work plans and discipline, of a group of senior and other statisticians.
  • Being responsible for the line management of a small group of statisticians.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

  • Use of univariate and multifactorial survival analysis and advanced modelling techniques.
  • Experience of leading on a statistical project or a programme of statistical work.
  • Experience of managing a team, including work allocation and assessment.
  • Use of software for statistical analysis, such as SAS (preferred), Python, Stata or R.
  • Managing workloads and resources to meet deadlines.
  • Substantial experience in the application of statistics.
  • Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint)

Qualifications and Training

  • MSc in a statistical subject, or demonstrable experience in statistical equivalent to formal Masters qualification in statistics.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

About Us

It 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:

  • A starting salary of £53,755 to £60,504 per annum in accordance with Agenda for Change (AfC).
  • A full time, permanent opportunity to join as a Band 8a, and progress with NHSBT.
  • Opportunity to work with a national organisation and be based in Bristol Filton, with hybrid working available
  • 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.


Please view the attached 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.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 2nd March 2025.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on Tuesday 18th March 2025 – subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact –

Name: Helen Thomas

Job Title: Head of Clinical Trial Statistics

Contact Details: helen.thomas@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Take a look around the company https://careers.nhsbt.nhs.uk