Senior Technician

Advert

Senior Technician
Division of Infection and Immunity
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Dementia is a global healthcare emergency with numbers of sufferers currently estimated to be over 50 million worldwide. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression.  The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is a UK wide initiative driving forward research to understand the cause and identify novel treatments for dementia.

The UK Dementia Research Institute and the Division of Infection and Immunity at Cardiff University are inviting applications for a Grade 4 Technician position available within a laboratory investigating the immune system in Alzheimer’s disease.  Based at the Dementia Research Institute, Cathays Campus, the post-holder will be a member of the complement group working with Dr Sarah Carpanini.

The post is funded by the Dementia Research Institute to explore the interplay between the complement system and T-cells in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The ultimate aim of the work is to identify disease-relevant antigens and test whether variants in complement alter the T-cell response in Alzheimer’s disease. The role will involve a number of techniques including programming (R, Bash, Python), handling peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T-cell expansion assays.

Candidates should ideally have practical experience of both T-cell assays and computer programming or equivalent work-related experience.

For further information candidates should contact Dr Sarah Carpanini ([email protected])

This position is full time (35 hours per week), available from 1st April 2024 and fixed term for 9 months.

Salary: £26,444 - £29,605 per annum (Grade 4). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University ae usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 11 April 2024

Closing date: Sunday, 28 April 2024

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 40 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To provide a comprehensive provision of technical support to the Directorate/School in a supervisory/specialist function

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties
•    Following established guidelines train technical staff and students in technical procedures and in the use of equipment
•    Set up experimental systems and research apparatus, assisting students and staff in the use and construction of equipment and apparatus and with tests and experiments
•    Operate, maintain, service, adjust, test and repair complex equipment and apparatus
•    Participate in the development, modification and construction of special equipment and apparatus
•    Take responsibility for stock levels, security, maintenance and cleanliness of materials, apparatus and equipment within work area
•    Record and perform detailed analysis on data, including responsibility for maintaining databases
•    Undertake reviews of technical processes and procedures, in collaboration with line management, and advise on options for improvement.
•    Support the department in the implementation of new procedures and systems 

General Duties
•    Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
•    Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
•    Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education

1.    NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent qualification/work related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

2.    Substantial experience of working as a technician
3.     Specialist knowledge and experience of maintaining, servicing and using appropriate equipment and apparatus
4.    Ability to set up and review standard technical processes and procedures and recommend improvements to the service provision as appropriate

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

5.    Ability to communicate specialist and complex information effectively and professionally to a range of customers with varying levels of understanding.
6.    Experience of supervising the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
7.    Ability to train technical staff in laboratory procedures and in the use of equipment and instruments.
8.    Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

9.    Evidence of ability to solve problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose practical solutions and to resolve problems where there are a range of potential options available.
10.    Proven ability to work on own initiative, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work appropriately and to plan and manage small projects.

Desirable Criteria 

1.    Degree or an equivalent qualification or equivalent work-related experience
2.    Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
3.    Fluency in Welsh, written and oral
4.    Experience in handling PBMCs and T-cell based assays such as ELISpot
5.    Experience with programming languages such as R, Bash and Python.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
It is the School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 18473BR.

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Job Category

Medical & Dental, Technical