Clinical scientist, immunology

You'll carry out and interpret specialist laboratory tests for patients with suspected or known immune disorders, report the results and advise clinicians on further investigations.

These disorders can include:

• allergies, where the immune system reacts to substances that are usually harmless
• autoimmune disorders, where the immune system attacks the body's own cells, tissues or organs
• inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), where part of the immune system is missing or doesn't work properly
• other disorders of immune function, including conditions where the body produces too many, too few or abnormal antibodies.

You'll combine laboratory testing and scientific analysis with an understanding of patient care to help diagnose and monitor immune disorders.

Doctors who specialise in immunology follow a different training route. For more information, see hospital doctor.

Working as a clinical scientist in immunology

Clinical scientists in immunology are typically based in diagnostic laboratories, working closely with medical and laboratory colleagues. Depending on the role, you may also attend immunology clinics and multidisciplinary team meetings and have direct contact with patients.

You'll typically need to:

• select appropriate immunology tests to investigate suspected immune disorders
• analyse patient samples using specialist laboratory techniques, such as immunoassays, immunofluorescence, electrophoresis and flow cytometry
• interpret, verify and report test results to the requesting clinician to support diagnosis and patient management
• recommend further tests or investigations where needed to help reach a diagnosis or monitor a patient's condition
• advise doctors and other healthcare professionals on the significance and limitations of immunology test results
• contribute to multidisciplinary discussions about complex cases, diagnosis and patient care
• maintain accurate patient and laboratory records and ensure work meets quality assurance and laboratory standards
• develop and evaluate new diagnostic tests and techniques, and contribute to improvements in immunology services
• carry out research, audit and service improvement to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of immune disorders
• teach, train and support trainee clinical scientists and other laboratory or healthcare staff, taking on greater supervisory and leadership responsibilities as you gain experience.

What do clinical scientists earn?

• Jobs in the NHS are usually covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates, which consist of nine pay bands. Trainees on the Scientist Training Programme (STP) are usually employed at Band 6, which starts at £39,959 in England.
• Once qualified, you're likely to be employed at Band 7, with a salary of £49,387 to £56,515.
• With experience and further qualifications, you may progress to more senior clinical scientist, principal, lead or consultant roles at Bands 8a to 8d, with salaries ranging from £57,528 to £108,814. A small number of the most senior service leadership posts may be paid at Band 9, which ranges from £112,782 to £129,783.

NHS staff working in and around London may receive a high-cost area supplement of 5%, 15% or 20% of their basic salary, depending on location and subject to minimum and maximum payment levels.

Salary levels for clinical scientists working outside the NHS, including in private laboratories, universities and industry, may vary.

These figures apply to NHS England. NHS salaries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ. Check your country's pay scales for the most up-to-date NHS salary information.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Clinical scientist in immunology working hours

You'll usually work a 37.5-hour week, which may include shift work.

There may be opportunities to work part time.

How do I become a clinical scientist in immunology?

Training in England is usually through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). This is a three-year, full-time programme combining work-based learning with funded part-time study for an MSc in Clinical Science.

To get a place on the STP, you'll usually need a first or 2:1 undergraduate honours or integrated Masters degree in a relevant pure or applied science subject, such as:

• biochemistry
• biology, biological sciences or biomedicine
• biomedical or medical sciences
• cancer sciences
• medicine.

Research experience is also desirable. This could be gained through a Masters degree or PhD, or other relevant scientific or academic research experience. You can also apply if you have a 2:2 honours degree in any subject plus a relevant higher degree, such as a Masters.

Applications are made via Oriel and generally open in January for training starting in September. You can only apply to one specialty. The recruitment process includes:

• an online application
• an online situational judgement test used for longlisting
• shortlisting
• an interview.

Training places depend on NHS workforce needs, and not every specialty or location is available each year.

If successful, you'll be employed as a trainee clinical scientist on a fixed-term contract for the duration of the programme and paid a salary. You'll complete rotation modules during your first year before progressing through more specialist training. You may need to travel to other hospitals, departments or training sites to complete parts of the programme.

Existing NHS staff working in a recognised scientific specialty may be able to complete the STP through the in-service route. You'll need to meet the entry requirements, be nominated by your employer and have arrangements in place for your training.

For full details about the STP in England, see the National School of Healthcare Science website. Recruitment and training arrangements vary across the UK. See the relevant information for:

• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

Experienced scientists who've completed other relevant training may be able to demonstrate that their knowledge, skills and experience meet the standards required for registration through either of the following routes:

• Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) - STP Certificate of Equivalence
• Association of Clinical Scientists - Certificate of Attainment.

Alternative undergraduate routes into immunology

Some biomedical scientists specialise in clinical immunology, and there are several routes to HCPC registration - see the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) guidance. You can also enter immunology through the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) in Blood Sciences, which can lead to work as a healthcare science practitioner. If you later want to train as a clinical scientist and meet the entry requirements, you could apply for the STP.

What skills does a clinical scientist working in immunology need?

You'll need:

• accuracy, organisation and digital skills to manage samples, records and laboratory data
• analytical and investigative skills to interpret laboratory results, recognise unusual patterns and decide what further testing may be needed
• communication skills to explain complex findings and give scientific advice to doctors and other healthcare professionals
• problem-solving and decision-making skills to investigate unexpected results and make judgements that can affect patient care
• research skills to assess new scientific evidence and contribute to immunology research, audit and improvements in patient care
• scientific and laboratory skills to carry out specialist immunology tests and understand how the immune system works
• teamworking and leadership skills to work with other healthcare professionals and, as you gain experience, support and guide colleagues.

Do I need clinical science work experience?

Entry to the STP is competitive, but formal clinical science work experience isn't essential. However, you'll need to show you understand the programme, your chosen specialty and what a clinical scientist in immunology does.

You can build this understanding by:

• attending STP open days, careers events or departmental visits
• completing a relevant placement as part of your degree or Masters course
• getting involved in research projects, audits or publications during your studies
• speaking to current STP immunology trainees or clinical scientists
• where possible, visiting an immunology department, shadowing a clinical scientist or getting some short-term laboratory experience.

You may need to be proactive in gaining relevant experience. Part-time work, volunteering, university societies and other extracurricular activities can also help you develop useful skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation and problem solving.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs clinical scientists in immunology?

Many clinical scientists working in immunology are employed by the NHS in diagnostic immunology laboratories, usually based in hospitals.

Other employers include:

• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• private hospitals and independent laboratories
• universities and research institutes.

Look for job vacancies at:

• British Society for Immunology (BSI)
• HealthJobsUK
• Jobs.hscni.net - for vacancies in Northern Ireland.
• NHS Jobs - for vacancies in England and Wales.
• NHSScotland Jobs

Research and academic vacancies are advertised via Jobs.ac.uk.

Where can a career as a clinical scientist in immunology lead?

The NHS offers a structured career path, with opportunities to progress to senior, principal and consultant clinical scientist roles. You can also develop specialist clinical immunology expertise in areas such as:

• allergy
• autoimmunity
• haematological oncology
• immunodeficiency
• immunotherapy.

As you gain experience, you may lead specialist laboratory services and take on greater responsibility for complex cases, research, service development and management.

If you want to progress towards consultant-level practice, you can apply for the five-year Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme in Clinical Immunology. This combines advanced work-based training with doctoral-level study and includes the professional examinations required for Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath).

You can also develop a career in clinical research or academia, for example by completing a PhD and moving into university teaching or research. Other options include industry, advisory or professional roles, and work on the development of new diagnostic tests, medicines or therapies.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is important throughout your career and is a requirement of HCPC registration. The British Society for Immunology (BSI) provides professional development, careers support, networking, training and events.