Senior Research Technician – School of Biosciences – 107715 – Grade 5 Full-time

Job Description

The Ma group, based in the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham, studies mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transmission and maintenance. We are looking for a motivated candidate to join our dynamic group by performing benchwork (85%) and providing assistance on various lab logistics (15%).

Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in biology, genetics or biochemistry, and some basic knowledge on mitochondrial biology. Previous experience in fly work, cloning and basic biochemical assays such as Western Blot are a strong advantage. The candidate is also expected to be organized and a good team player. This position will be supervised by Prof Hansong Ma.

Main duties include:

• Assisting in managing the experimental and laboratories.
• Advising on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students.
• Diagnosing and resolving problems and suggesting solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
• Carrying out specialist technical and experimental procedures.
• Maintaining accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures.
• Maintaining Drosophila stocks.

Health and safety duties include:

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory.
• Understanding the safety aspects of equipment operation and training staff on the correct usage.
• Ensuring regular maintenance processes are carried out.
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures.
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream.

General administration and organization duties include:

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Maintaining stocks of consumables and generating purchase order requisitions.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Maintaining facilities in a clean, functional and safe condition.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and equipment inventories are up to date.
• Adopting a proactive attitude to assisting with carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
• Maintaining a technical support based teaching laboratory website and research lab databases/records.

Other duties include:

• Taking an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Treating everyone with dignity and respect in line with current equality legislation.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required knowledge, skills, qualifications, and experience include:

• A Bachelor's degree in biology, genetics or biochemistry.
• A master's degree in biology, genetics or biochemistry is a strong plus.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
• Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organize and manage own workload and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity.
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.

Dimensions:

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and organizing:

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem solving and decision making:

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.

Internal and external relationships:

This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.