Research Technician

Technical Services

The above full-time fixed term post is available for 3 years.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Research Technician to participate in the BBSRC funded Research project entitled Establishing the roles of oestrogen receptor 1 in olfactory development and function using novel CRISPR/Cas9-based knockouts in the zebrafish in partnership with AstraZeneca.

We wish to recruit a talented individual to support the research team led by Prof. Charles Tyler based in Biosciences. The role will provide direct support to an exciting research project with a major industry partner using the zebrafish to understand the role of oestrogens in the development of the sense of smell. The post holder will work closely Dr Aya Takesono, research fellow, to support and deliver cutting edge imaging and molecular techniques and established functional phenotyping assessments.

In addition, they will be responsible for contributing to zebrafish transgenic (TG) stock management and basic laboratory technical support, as required by the project needs. The work will involve data analysis and reporting. The post will provide the opportunity to develop skills in a wide range of state-of-the-art methods that are applicable to many areas of biological and medical research. The successful applicant will also be part of a large vibrant research team in which the researchers and technical support team study a very wide range of topics in biological and environmental science.

Specifically, the post will include the following duties: 

• Executing laboratory based in-life studies with zebrafish
• Undertaking various bioassays as part of functional phenotyping assessments that include application of various imaging methods (e.g. confocal and light sheet microscopy) and gene manipulation and expression studies.
• Be responsible for selected zebrafish stock management
• Provide basic laboratory technical support, including overseeing and ordering lab stock reagents and consumables.
• Support in experimental design and data analysis and report andresearch paper writing;
• Presentation of research findings to various audiences including at partner meetings as appropriate;
• Communicate effectively with research project supervisory team and partners;
• Support the Exeter project team more widely as required.

About you

The successful applicant will be proficient in laboratory work and willing to learn, able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to stakeholders.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study 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. Ideally, applicants will hold a Fish PIL (Modules 1-3), and have experience in some of the techniques of gene editing, in vivo zebrafish research, assessment of whole animal physiology, fluorescent microscopy, and the accurate and safe handling and preparation of test substances and reagent solutions.

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 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent 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

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

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 Professor Charles Tyler, e-mail [email protected] .