Senior Research Technician (103893-1021)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Technical
Department
Life Sciences
Salary
£27,116 - £30,497 per annum, pro rata
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry.
Vacancy Overview
Part time (0.6FTE), fixed term contract for 36 months.
Candidates are sought for a Senior Research Technician to assist with projects concerning soil biogeochemistry and soil microbial ecology. The successful candidate will undertake various duties in support of graduate students and Dr Ryan Mushinski.
Duties will include: (1) the maintenance and preparation of instruments used for trace gas and colorimetric analysis, (2) participation in field sampling planned to take place within the UK, (3) chemical analysis of samples collected during field work using instruments such as the SEAL AA3 and Teledyne T200U NOy, including data analysis, and (4) DNA and RNA extraction and bioinformatic characterization of soil samples taken from various ecosystems throughout the world.
Interview Date: TBC
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To provide technical support to post-doctoral research staff and principal investigators undertaking contract research projects.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Planning and undertaking of experiments as scheduled in project proposal.
2. Responsibility for routine growth and maintenance of plants/materials for experimentation, including modifying the experimental conditions as necessary
3. Carry out basic analysis using a variety of software packages, generate and view software outputs
4. Undertake techniques such as RNA extractions, DNA extractions, PCR or molecular analysis, pathogen testing and phenotype analysis
5. Management the project on a day to day basis including managing equipment and purchasing consumables, making recommendations for purchase of new equipment and maintenance issues. Monitoring progress and advising the PI of any issues likely to lead to a delay in the project.
6. Store electronic data and keep web-sites up to date (including ensuring quality assurance standards are maintained)
7. Communications including attending weekly research group meetings and sharing/contributing ideas, communication with other research groups both inside and outside of the Department (exchanging information, seeking and advising on techniques etc)
8. Drafting results of analysis for input into scientific publications
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but provide guidance on the main aspects of the job. The postholder will be required to be flexible in their duties.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Honours degree or equivalent in a related subject area (a)
Essential Criteria 2
Experience in complex molecular biological techniques (a, c)
Essential Criteria 3
Have experience of planning and undertaking of experiments, including assessing the conditions needed and using appropriate techniques (a, c)
Essential Criteria 4
Awareness of financial project budget constraints (a, c)
Essential Criteria 5
Have experience of working with the PI to analyse the requirements of a project, including setting the projects milestones (a, c)
Essential Criteria 6
Have experience of supervising less experienced technical staff and PhD Students (a, c)
Essential Criteria 7
Be able to take an active role in laboratory and project meetings, including giving presentations on your own work and communicating progress or problems to PI (a, c)
Essential Criteria 8
Experience of working in a laboratory environment (a, c)
Essential Criteria 9
Have the ability to run a project on a day to day basis (a, c)
Essential Criteria 10
Have experience of drafting results for input into scientific publications (a, c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
Any further information can be directed to Ryan Mushinski at [email protected]
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/ or are seeking sponsorship under for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Closing Date
31 Oct 2021