Research Technician - School of Biosciences - 82114 - Band 500

Research Technician - 82114

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Band 500

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £22,722 to £24,411, with potential progression once in post to £28,259

Part time 0.6 FTE

FTC for up to 2 years with potential to be extended to 3 years

Closing date: 2nd October 2019

This is an exciting opportunity to join the University of Birmingham and to work in the exciting sector of Life and Environmental Sciences.

The post-holder will be based in the School of Biosciences and expected to provide both general and specialist research technical assistance to Dr. Peter Lund and his designated research group, principally in support of a BBSRC-funded research project, entitled A zebrafish model to study the role of chaperonins in Mycobacterial infection . This project is studying the role of a specific class of molecular chaperone protein in infection by Mycobacteria, using a model system comprising zebrafish infected with Mycobacterium marinum. The project will use a combination of microbiological, molecular, cellular and biochemical tools to explore the role of the chaperonins in the process of infection, particularly looking at the formation of granulomas. The post is offered at a part time basis for 3 years. For further information please refer to the job description.

Summary of role

1. To assist the postdoctoral fellow on the grant in all aspects of the research.

2. To assist with the general upkeep of group's laboratory area (including overseeing health & safety, ordering, attending to equipment repairs and other housekeeping matters as required).

The post-holder will be required to have previous practical experience of relevant cell, molecular biology and microbiological methods.

Main duties

Research: 70%

The main duties of the post holder will be to support the research of the group as directed by the Principal Investigator (PI) and the post-doctoral research fellow employed on the BBSRC grant.

This may include but is not necessarily restricted to:-

• Work at all times in a safe manner commensurate with the BSL2 classification of the laboratory and the category 2 pathogen nature of the M. marinum strains
• Growth of bacterial strains
• Assisting in engineering of strains using molecular methods including but not limited to gene cloning, PCR, site directed mutagenesis, creation of knockout mutants
• Assisting in characterising the properties of these strains, including assisting with the generation and analysis of metabolomics, transcriptomic and proteomic data, and with characterisation of the cell wall and cell-well associated lipids
• Maintenance of strain and plasmid collections.
• Analysis and preparation of data to support publication of research findings.
• Analysis and presentation of data / work in the form of short written reports or orally within the group at internal meetings.

Health and Safety 10%

The post holder must have a good understanding of local and national H&S guidelines, and will be responsible for:-

• Enabling staff and students, working within the area of responsibility, to comply with all basic University / College / School Health & Safety policies; this will include compliance with current rules governing work with chemicals (COSHH), biological materials (BioCOSHH) and genetically-modified organisms (GMO) including dual-use pathogens.
• Ensuring that all required COSHH, BioCOSHH and GMO risk assessments are in place, valid and up to date; this will include writing assessments and maintaining both paper and electronic documentation as appropriate.
• Overseeing the provision of safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate to the work being conducted and risk assessment stipulations.
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the research group PI, local Research Infrastructure Manager and / or College Health and Safety Manager.
• Co-ordinating waste disposal and upholding the use of correct waste streams as governed by local policy for laboratory, recycled and general waste.
• Adopting a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction / energy saving initiatives and measures.

General laboratory organisation and administration: 15%

The post holder will assist with the daily administration and organisation of the work area, and will be expected to:

• Assisting with the general upkeep of group's laboratory area (including overseeing health and safety, ordering, attending to equipment repairs, plus other housekeeping matters as required).
• Maintain and developing as necessary key laboratory databases (strain collections, plasmids, antibodies, reagents, risk assessments etc.).
• Assist where necessary with rapid and accurate archiving of incoming research materials.
• Maintain stocks of laboratory consumables; this will involve ordering, assisting with preparation (including sterilisation where necessary) of reagents, collection of goods and materials from the College Stores and other areas, overseeing receipt and correct storage of consumables and materials.
• Assist the research team with safe disposal of all types of waste through the correct channels
• Assist the research team in ensuring that the laboratory facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe state, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is routinely maintained and fully-functional; this will involve liaising with the College Workshop and / or external service engineers as necessary.
• Ensuring the best use of equipment through the establishment and management of booking systems, if appropriate.
• The post-holder will also be expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with his / her grade and skill base as directed by either the research group PI (for research-based activities).

Other duties: 5%

In collaboration with the PI and members of the PI's research team, the post holder will:

• Take an active role in the training, supervision and mentoring process for junior or newly-appointed research staff and students.
• Actively engage in the University's Personal Development Review (PDR) process.
• Contribute - at a level appropriate with the grade - to internal and external audit procedures, and to regulatory inspections.
• Assist in identifying and tracking items held on the University / College asset registers.

Person Specification

• Qualified to at least Bachelor's level in an appropriate science subject (e.g. Life Sciences / Microbiology / Biological Sciences / Genetics / Cell Biology / Biochemistry).
• Previous experience in and demonstrated expertise as working in a microbiology laboratory is essential. Must possess good aseptic technique and be familiar with methods for sterilisation and safe disposal of contaminated material
• Understanding of fundamental biological concepts and numeracy essential to carry out the research
• Ability to carry out and learn further laboratory techniques to deliver competently on project aims
• Good organisational skills
• Able to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of the project requirements
• Able to work, following appropriate training, under minimal supervision
• Able to work as part of a team
• Ability to support, train or supervise others in laboratory methods (e.g. undergraduate students)

Planning and organising

• The post will involve scheduling, organization and completion of work to meet targets:
• The work will come to the post holder via regular meetings with either the PI or other research staff.
• The post holder will set their own deadline priorities within the deadlines provided by the PI for dealing with the work provided.
• The role involves forward planning to meet research milestones, with elements of reactivity and problem solving should obstacles arise.
• The post holder will use the most appropriate technique(s) and ensure that all the equipment and consumables are available to ensure results delivery.
• The post holder will plan with other research team members the most efficient use of resources and equipment to reach research milestones.
• Post-holder will also be expected to demonstrate or be able to rapidly acquire:
• Computer skills in commonly used software packages (Microsoft Office, packages for analysis of 'omics data)
• A positive attitude and approach to achieving results.
• A professional, respectful, and courteous demeanour.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven bench-work skills
• An ability to learn and perfect new techniques quickly and easily, and subsequently train less experienced staff / students in their use.
• An ability to work flexibly within complex, multi-person projects; including effective time management, ability to work on more than one task at one, ability to work on their own initiative to fit in with other workers' schedules and to meet deadlines.
• An ability to apply relevant personal knowledge, skills and expertise to resolve technical issues.
• An ability to find and use relevant learning opportunities to identify and potentially suggest ways of improving processes or results.
• An ability to work both independently (under minimal supervision) and as part of a team, and to communicate scientific results to others.

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