Research Technician

Technical Services

The post

The Faculty is seeking to recruit a Research Technician to provide technical support to the Research teams of Dr. Fabrice Gielen and Prof. Jennifer Littlechild working on directed evolution of enzymes in microfluidic droplets. This EU funded post is available from 23/05/2024 to 31/05/2025, which may be extended subject to funding. Dr. Gielen’s laboratory is pioneering technological development and applications of high-throughput microfluidic droplets, in particular for cellular and molecular assays (1-2). The successful applicant will build, characterise microfluidics devices and use them to perform screening experiments.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to provide help with general lab management, provide technical assistance in preparing experiments, perform experiments and analyse data.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in chemistry, physics, engineering, biochemistry or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. The successful applicant will have experience in microfluidics fabrication methods and running microfluidics experiments.

You are excited about working as part of a multi-disciplinary team composed of physicists and biologists. You will work at the Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter which provides state-of-the-art research facilities.

The successful candidate will be appointed as Graduate Research Assistant level (Grade D point 21) depending on the skills and experience the individual can bring to the role.  Candidates should demonstrate their achievement against the relevant criteria in the accompanying person specifications which will be used to make an appointment at an appropriate level.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99% of our research is of international quality and 47% is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

For further information please contact Dr. Fabrice Gielen, e-mail [email protected] or telephone (01392) 727457.