Research Technician (Media Preparation Facility) – 0.5fte job share Part-time

Research Technician (Media Preparation Facility) – 0.5fte Job Share

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Biosciences Media Preparation Facility as part of a 0.5 FTE Grade 6 job share arrangement, working closely with a second 0.5 FTE Grade 6 postholder to support the delivery and operational running of the facility.

The role will support the research and teaching community by delivering specialist technical support to ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of the Media Preparation Facility. The postholder will contribute to the preparation of large volumes of specialised media for Drosophila melanogaster, C. elegans, and other model organisms, while supporting the maintenance of high standards of service delivery, organisation, safety, and compliance across the facility.

Working collaboratively as part of the Facility Technical Team and alongside the wider Core Technical Teams, the postholder will coordinate technical practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

Continuation of essential research strongly relies on the dependable service the Media Preparation Facility Technical Team provide. To deliver this, the individual must be reliable, adaptable and have excellent problem solving and organisational skills.

Please note: this position requires regular manual handling tasks, including the lifting, moving, and carrying of materials as part of the daily duties.

About You

You will be an experienced and motivated technical professional with a strong understanding of laboratory operations and experience supporting research environments or scientific facilities. You should hold a Level 5 qualification (HNC, HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent) in a relevant Biological Sciences subject, or have equivalent practical experience. A BSc or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Biological Sciences or a related discipline would be desirable.

You will be confident working independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues, researchers, students, and wider technical teams. Experience preparing laboratory media and buffers, using laboratory equipment, and supporting operational laboratory activities is essential.

You should be comfortable managing competing priorities in a busy operational environment, with the ability to organise work efficiently, solve problems proactively, and maintain high standards of accuracy and service delivery. You will contribute to the day-to-day running of a specialist facility, including supporting equipment maintenance, stock management, compliance activities, health and safety processes and supporting junior members of the facility team.

We are looking for someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who can support and train others where appropriate and engage constructively with continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will demonstrate a collaborative and inclusive approach, a commitment to sustainability and safe working practices. You have a strong understanding and appreciation of how high-quality technical support contributes to excellent research and teaching outcomes.

What We Offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan and expenses
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/