Bioscience - Technical Specialist

York St John University; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Disability leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Relocation expenses

Visa fees reimbursement

Job summary

York St John University is seeking a dedicated laboratory technician to support bioscience teaching and research. You will maintain specialist lab environments, set up practical classes, demonstrate techniques, and actively assist students and academic staff across microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and related fields.

The role emphasizes collaboration with technical colleagues and academics, delivering a welcoming, professional lab service while contributing to the university’s LEAF

Qualifications

• Experience in a laboratory environment with handling various equipment and resources.
• Experience maintaining bacterial stocks is desirable.
• Strong laboratory background with transferable skills and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage specialist lab environments.
• Organise practical class setup and demonstrations of techniques.
• Provide support to students and academic colleagues across bioscience areas.
• Work with technical colleagues to deliver a high-quality service.
• Support ongoing sustainability initiatives, including reducing carbon footprint.

Skills

Lab experience

Bacterial stocks

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Job description

Introduction to YSJ

Situated in the heart of the historic city of York, and with the addition of our London Campus, York St John University has a long and proud tradition as a distinguished higher education provider.

Our success is founded on the quality of academic teaching and research, our thriving campus environments, our professional and pastoral support, and our values of an inclusive, innovative and ambitious community with a strong sense of belonging.

The Team

You will be within a small team of technicians providing dedicated support to our students, academic colleagues across our Bioscience programmes and research.

The team are responsible for maintaining and managing the specialist lab environments, organisation of practical class set up, demonstrating practical techniques, and actively supporting students and academic colleagues.

The role

You will play an important role, helping to create a supported, safe, professional and welcoming lab experience for students, staff and researchers.

You will be expected to work in partnership with your technical colleagues, academics, researchers and students, forging effective relationships to help you deliver an exceptional technical service.

This is an exciting time to join the team as we have just achieved LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) bronze certification. As a member of the team you will be expected to work with the team to continue to reduce our carbon footprint.

Required skills and experience

The successful candidate will have experience of working in a laboratory environment, working with various equipment and resources, with experience of maintaining bacterial stocks.

Alongside your team you will be expected to provide support and guidance across all areas such as microbiology, molecular genetics/biology, cellular pathology, histology, biochemistry, and haematology. It is expected that the successful candidate may be more experienced in some areas than others and this is where a strong laboratory background with transferable skills is necessary, with a willingness learn and work closely with your team.

We ask the candidate and the team to be open to learn from one another, be open to sharing your skills experiences, and value each other’s strengths to work together to provide a welcoming, supportive and effective service.

We are looking for excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience of previously working in a higher education is desirable but not essential.

It is anticipated that the selection process will involve a presentation, and a panel interview. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.

This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we encourage you to please apply as early as possible as we may consider closing earlier if we receive a high level of applications. If the vacancy is closed earlier, all pending applicants will be notified and provided with 24 hours' notice to submit an application.

Our benefits package

• Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period
• Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists
• On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software
• Relocation expenses package for certain roles
• Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and Visa loan scheme for additional costs (if applicable to the role)

Further information about life at YSJ

Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.

Closing Date - Thursday 15 October 2026 at midnight

Provisional Interview Date - Wednesday 04 November 2026