Laboratory Technician: Biology

Job Purpose

To provide high quality technical support as part of the Laboratory Services Division in the School of Engineering, supporting research, undergraduate and post graduate teaching. The role includes overseeing the organisation and daily running of laboratory activities, and conducting and supporting scientific investigations and experiments, working alongside the research staff of the laboratories. The candidate will be required to apply a range of management, material science, and biological skills to support world leading research projects, and contribute to School strategic objectives.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Provide in-depth technical support for world leading scientific research projects utilising microbiological, microscopy and cell culture techniques. Be a first point of contact for lab users and contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

2.  Provide in-depth technical knowledge, using relevant skills, knowledge, initiative and judgement to interpret client needs and deliver expert input and solutions. To contribute to the delivery of research objectives and help achieve excellence in teaching standards in the School.

3.  Set up, operation and testing of scientific laboratory equipment. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance and contacting relevant service providers as required. Source and purchase equipment as directed.

4.  Advise and assist staff and students on design, development, preparation and construction of experiments. Keep abreast of new techniques, implementing improvements to procedures as well as researching the safety data of all reagents and biological material.

5.  Carry out scientific projects working independently and ensuring that all processes and procedures comply with health & safety standards. Analyse and interpret data and ensure that accurate records are kept and databases are updated accordingly.  Present findings accurately.

6.  To contribute to management of adherence to health and safety policies and relevant safety regulations in conjunction with senior technical staff including good laboratory practice and safe working practices (chemical and biological) Be responsible for handling and disposal of solvent and chemical waste and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation in labs across the school. Preparation of risk assessments and COSHH forms in line with local and legal requirements and carry out lab inductions for new lab users.

7.  Supervise junior staff as appropriate and engage with training of staff and undergraduate and postgraduate students in line with a school objective to encourage skills transfer and personal development.

8.  To maintain stock of all consumables, gas supplies and biological materials for current and future work, carry out purchasing using the University Agresso system.

9.  To support undergraduate teaching laboratories ensuring all required equipment and materials are available for laboratory teaching.

10. Carry out tasks and utilise expert skills and experience in laboratories across the School as directed by the technical Services Manager.

Knowledge, Qualifications, skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 [Advanced Higher / Scottish vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role

A2 In depth knowledge of Microscopy (e.g. Optical, Fluorescent)

A3 Detailed technical knowledge of Cell culture methods

A4 Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation, COSHH and risk assessments

Desirable:

B1 Specialist knowledge of molecular biology (PCR, qPCR, plasmid purification)

B2 Detailed knowledge of the University’s policies (safety, purchasing, HR)

Skills

Essential:

C1 Significant IT skills including proficient use of microscopy software packages

C2 Excellent cell culture skills

C3 Excellent team working and supervisory skills

C4 Proven interpersonal communication skills

C5 Excellent organisational and time management skills and an ability to plan and prioritise workload and meet strict deadlines to meet competing demands of busy research/teaching laboratories

C6 Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to summarise key laboratory findings effectively

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant work experience within a multidisciplinary laboratory

E2 Experience in some of the following techniques: ELISA analysis, RNA extraction from cells and tissue, real-time PCR, protein extraction from cells and tissue, or Immunohistochemistry

E3 Experience in general laboratory maintenance

E4 Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of service users and meet strict deadlines

E5 Experience of developing COSHH forms and risk assessments

E6 Experience of working in a team environment and independently within a large organisation, demonstrating an ability to be flexible and provide support for colleagues

Desirable:

F1 Experience training staff and students in a variety of laboratory techniques

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £25,138 - £29,605 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

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.

3 A flexible approach to working.

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/

.