Lab Media & Glass Technician — Research Support

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel Allowance

Bonus

Enhanced holiday.

Pension

Life Assurance.

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance as standard

Employee discounts

Electric car scheme

Nursery Salary Sacrifice scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Family Planning

Neurodiversity support including advsi

Coaching & Therapy services

Job summary

The Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford is seeking an experienced Media & Glass Technician to provide essential laboratory support for the Generative Biology Institute. You will prepare media, maintain sterile consumables, and support lab operations to enable researchers to focus on scientific work.

This role requires accuracy, organisation, and a service-oriented approach in a fast-paced research environment, with opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory

Qualifications

• Degree in Microbiology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in media preparation and/or laboratory technical services within research, academic, biotech, pharmaceutical, or industrial lab environment.
• Strong understanding of microbiological techniques, aseptic working practices, contamination control, and sterilisation principles.
• Ability to prepare a wide range of laboratory media, buffers, solutions and agar plates from formulations.
• Ability to calculate and adjust osmolarity, pH, concentrations, reagent volumes, and dilutions.
• Knowledge of quality control principles, including maintaining preparation records, batch documentation, and traceability.
• Experience operating autoclaves, glasswashers, and other lab support equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment validation, routine performance checks, and preventative maintenance.
• Understanding of Health & Safety legislation, COSHH, biological and chemical safety, waste management, and safe lab practices.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills for fast-paced research environments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative service approach.
• Competent IT skills and electronic record-keeping.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to continuous improvement of lab support services.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a wide range of laboratory media, buffers, agar plates, and solutions per approved formulations and SOPs.
• Accurately calculate and adjust osmolarity, pH, concentrations, and volumes.
• Ensure media is prepared using aseptic techniques to minimise contamination risk.
• Collect, wash, sterilise, inspect, and redistribute glassware, plastics and reusable consumables.
• Operate autoclaves and glasswashers, perform routine checks and report faults.
• Perform routine quality control checks on prepared media and sterilisation processes.
• Maintain accurate records of media preparation, sterilisation cycles, and batch information.
• Monitor stock levels of media components, chemicals and consumables; notify when replenishment is required.
• Carry out regular stock checks and monitor expiry dates.
• Respond to laboratory requests to ensure materials are available for research.
• Build positive working relationships with researchers and provide professional service.
• Assist with troubleshooting routine media preparation or equipment issues and escalate when required.
• Contribute to review and continuous improvement of laboratory procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment per Health & Safety and COSHH policies.
• Support routine equipment maintenance, validation activities, and service visits as required.
• Assist in induction and training of new staff or students where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively within the Media & Glass team to provide reliable, high-quality service.

Skills

Media preparation

Aseptic techniques

Lab equipment operation

Quality control

Record-keeping

Communication

Organisational skills

IT skills

Independent working

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or related science

Job description

The Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford is seeking an experienced Media & Glass Technician to provide essential laboratory support for the Generative Biology Institute. You will prepare media, maintain sterile consumables, and support lab operations to enable researchers to focus on scientific work.

This role requires accuracy, organisation, and a service-oriented approach in a fast-paced research environment, with opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement of laboratory