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Technician - School of Biosciences - 97530 - Band 400

Employer
University of Birmingham
Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Salary
£20,488.00 - £26,603.00
Closing date
Jul 7, 2021
Position Details

School of Biosciences

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £20,488 to £21,868. With potential progression once in post to £26,603 a year

Band 400

Full time/FTC up until August 2022

Closing Date: 7th July 2021

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Job context

We are seeking to appoint a Research Technician to support the research activities of the Rezaval lab at the University of Birmingham. The post-holder will be an active research member, conducting individual research as directed by Dr Rezaval, and assisting her research group with experimental procedures, thus contributing to delivering on project aims and providing input into future directions of designated research projects.

The successful applicant will be required to work closely with members of the Rezaval lab providing day-to-day support by carrying out molecular biology methods, immunohistochemistry, behaviour, microscopy and Drosophila genetics, as well as aiding with routine fly work. She/he will also be responsible for maintenance of the laboratory's collection of Drosophila stocks, and for supporting the day-to-day running of the laboratory (eg. attending to equipment repairs, maintaining a regular supply of basic lab essentials, plus other tasks as required).

The post-holder will need to have excellent organisational and research skills, a proven ability to work well with others and a positive attitude to learning and troubleshooting new methods.

The successful candidate must have a demonstrable academic interest in biological sciences. While experience working with Drosophila would be an advantage, training will be provided as required.

Job Summary

You will provide technical support to either teaching or research activities as required, utilising your technical skills and a wide range of techniques. You will also be expected to ensure your working area is safe and support others in following health and safety instructions. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate classes or research activity. In order to flexibly use resource you may be given the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider University.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research duties

To carry out experiments under the guidance of the PI, which might include: Husbandry of fruit-flies (Drosophila), Genetics, Dissections of the Drosophila nervous system, Antibody stainings, Microscopy, Molecular cloning and related techniques (e.g. PCR, CRISPR/Cas9, etc).

1. Carry out techniques and experimental procedures as required by research staff, students and Principal Investigators, designed to contribute to a specific research project or projects.

2. You will be expected to resolve problems in your area of expertise but also to recognise when problems need to be referred to more senior staff.

3. You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures carried out, and of any other research activities you may be involved in, including results.

4. Comply with any legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.

5. Comply with the Standard Operating Procedures for the activity.

6. Demonstrate techniques to other staff and/or students on the area of expertise as required.

7. You will contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Teaching Duties

1. You will provide a wide range of support in the teaching laboratories, including active participation in the delivery of practical classes, by carrying out the following tasks:
  • contribute to planning the most efficient/effective means to turnaround the daily classes;
  • setting up and clearing away of equipment, consumables and reagents, ensuring laboratories are suitably prepared for practicals;
  • testing, maintaining and calibrating a wide range of precision instrumentation;
  • preparing a variety of materials and reagents and equipment to a high degree of accuracy using a variety of techniques. You will need to accurately calculate concentrations, percentages and dilutions;
  • monitoring and replenishing consumables, including preparing orders and collecting items from stores;
  • diagnosing and resolving the majority of in-class problems, including with equipment;
  • demonstrating the use of a wide range of relevant equipment and techniques during classes;
  • testing and, where appropriate, modifying protocols in conjunction with manager;
  • liaising with relevant managers with regard to requirements and accurately instruct other staff;
  • preparing the laboratories for other events such as open days. You may be asked to participate in demonstrations on open days.

Health and Safety

1. You will be expected to uphold compliance with all University and local Health & Safety policies, including risk assessments and manual handling, reporting any breaches or non-compliance to the relevant manager.

2. You will be expected to manage the safe handling and disposal of all materials used in practical classes or research laboratories, including hazardous materials.

3. If required, assist or prepare risk assessments and keep these up to date.

4. You will need to maintain all records as appropriate.

5. Carry out regular maintenance processes as appropriate.

Administrative duties

1. You may be required to assist with PAT testing and calibration of equipment, and with updating equipment inventories.

2. Maintain stocks of consumables and, if necessary, creating purchase order requisitions.

3. Receipt and correct storage of consumables and chemical reagents.

4. Ensure that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems.

5. Reporting any problems with equipment or services which cannot be resolved to the line manager as appropriate.

6. Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures where practicable.

7. Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.

8. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder.

Person Specification
  • First degree or equivalent professional qualification in an appropriate science subject (e.g. Life Sciences/Biological Sciences/Genetics/Cell Biology/Neuroscience/ Biochemistry or related disciplines).
  • NVQ, BTEC/ONC at level three or equivalent level three qualification and specific relevant experience in an appropriate subject.
  • GCSE level 2 (A*- C) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
  • Experience of working in a laboratory based teaching or research environment; or be able to demonstrate the capability to participate with practical classes or research projects.
  • Ability to organise and manage own workload after consultation with manager.
  • Familiarity with the use of a wide range of general laboratory equipment e.g. balances, pH meters, autoclaves, glass washing machines, microscopes.
  • Proactive approach to Health and Safety matters, together with the communication skills to interact with a range of people, including students.
  • Ability to be flexible to meet deadlines.
  • The post-holder will be fully familiar with the safe handling and storage of laboratory materials.
  • Good IT skills, having a familiarity with both Windows and/or Apple Macintosh OS will be advantageous.
  • Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
  • Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will have no direct line management responsibility (other than occasional instructions to other staff) and no budget to manage.

Planning and organising

You will be able to schedule and organise your own work within the priorities and requirements for the area.

Problem solving and decision making

You will deliver a level of service to colleagues/customers/students as agreed, carrying out daily teaching or research support as required. You will be expected to assist in analysis and interpretation of research results (if you work in a research area) or apply your knowledge and experience to resolve issues with equipment or experiments for student classes.

Internal and external relationships

This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students.

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community '

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