Research Technician

• Provide technical support for the operation of research within the NFRG

• Responsible for the operation and operational maintenance of complex and sophisticated research equipment/instruments in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Perform regular first line maintenance tasks or minor repairs on all project equipment. Responsible for ensuring that all repairs are carried out and records are kept up to date

• Maintain stocks of chemicals, media and other consumables determining requirements and initiating orders within specified ordering procedures to ensure the laboratory runs smoothly. Checking, processing, and keeping accurate records of incoming deliveries

• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to help resolve any delivery or ordering issues and investigate replacement options

• Help to develop local procedures, establish, and maintain a safe/compliant working environment

• Maintain in-depth and up-to-date health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism

• Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork for example, risk assessments and maintaining safety laboratory records (e.g., COSHH, BIOCOSHH, and other regulations) in consultation with academic staff or, where appropriate, senior technical staff

• Ensure correct storage and handling of bio-chemicals, biological materials and tissue samples collected from patients. Be responsible for the safe disposal and storage of hazardous waste in accordance with local rules and legal requirements. Maintain records of archived materials, data and methods for use by all related research staff

• Receive and store samples donated to the local tissue bank and ensure this is  in accordance with Human Tissue Authority regulations

• Schedule, prioritise and monitor work in line with demands and deadlines

• Organize and facilitate progress meetings

• Contribute to and support change

• Help oversee one or more budgets monitoring resource usage

• Help source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment

• Prepare and manufacture specimens/samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction

• Maintain equipment booking logs

• Manage local security and access control arrangements such as -80 freezer auto-dialers and alarms

• Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs

• Maintain specialist knowledge and skills, sharing with others

• Mentor junior staff

• Provision of assistance and training of academic, technical, research staff and both postgraduate and undergraduate project students on specific experimental techniques and the use and application of equipment and deliver inductions

• Support taught course projects by promotion and incorporation of specialism

The Person  

Knowledge, Skills and Experience  

• Extensive experience supporting research operations in a large, dynamic laboratory environment

• Proven ability to manage and optimise laboratory-wide compliance tasks

• Experience overseeing shared laboratory resources, scheduling workloads, and facilitating effective day-to-day running across multiple research teams 

• Day-to-day oversights of lab accounts, ordering, and providing regular updates to grant holders 

• Experience supporting sustainability initiatives and efficient lab operations

• Ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form 

• Ability to prioritise workload and plan effectively 

• Computer literate 

• Ability to show initiative 

• Ability to play an active part in a multi-disciplinary team & to liaise with external centres as required 

• Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures 

• Excellent team working skills 

• Demonstrates technical and problem-solving capacity 

Desirable

• Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail  

• Skills in developing, maintaining, and automating digital databases for tracking samples, consumables, equipment usage, and compliance records  

• Contribute to design and specification of research/teaching activities  

• Ability to adapt to changes in laboratory research priorities  

• Skills working with clinical specimens and sample collection/storage/recording/logging including HTA regulations, Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and human tissue governance. 

• Willingness to take on other roles e.g. fire warden 

Attributes and Behaviour 

• Tact, diplomacy and able to handle difficult situations 

• Ability to meet deadlines with effective time and resource management 

• Clear communicator and active listener 

• Consistent and appropriate approach to staff and situations 

• Use of feedback for process improvement and staff development 

• Ability to maintain detailed documentation of processes and willingness to establish standard working practices 

• Self-motivated 

• Team player, self starter and able to manage complex workload 

• Ability to respond enthusiastically and positively to undergraduate students 

Qualifications 

• BTEC  HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles

Desirable

• Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment