Laboratory Technician

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Birmingham is seeking a lab-based researcher to support a Rosetrees-funded BNCT project. You will work in Pharmacy Laboratories, handling 2D/3D tissue culture and sample preparation for ICP-MS analysis.

We expect practical tissue culture experience, strong safety awareness, and good IT skills. Some work outside standard hours and cross-site activity may occur as part of a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and aseptic working.
• Good laboratory practices and accurate record keeping.
• IT skills and familiarity with Windows/macOS environments.

Responsibilities

• Undertake laboratory-based research using tissue culture to support a BNCT project.
• Prepare biological samples for ICP-MS analysis and coordinate experiments.
• Ensure laboratory safety, maintain records, and assist with audits.

Skills

Mammalian tissue culture

Aseptic technique

Laboratory pipetting

Record keeping

Health & safety compliance

Education

NVQ/BTEC/ONC level 3 or equivalent

GCSE Maths & English (A*-C/4-9)

Tools

Balances

pH meters

Autoclaves

Microscopes

Glass washing machines

Job description

Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £27,546 to £29,171, with potential progression once in post to £32,595

Grade: 4

Part Time (17.5 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to September 2029

Background

The job will support a Rosetrees-funded research project investigating advanced pre-clinical models for the development and evaluation of boron-containing therapeutics for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The successful candidate will support the delivery of laboratory-based research, including mammalian cell culture and associated bioanalytical workflows, while liaising with the wider multidisciplinary project team. Full training will be provided in all project-specific techniques. Previous tissue culture experience is highly desirable. Previous experience with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and liquid chromatography would be advantageous but is not essential.

The post will be based primarily within the Pharmacy Laboratories in the Robert Aitken Building (School of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health). Some project activities will also be undertaken within the Institute for Biomedical Research (Parsons Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health) and the postholder will work across both laboratory environments to support collaborative research and coordinate experimental activities.

Role Summary

You will provide technical support for 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 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

The successful applicant will undertake laboratory-based research involving advanced 2D and 3D tissue culture techniques, including the growth of spheroids and organoids to investigate drug responses, together with the preparation of biological samples for ICP-MS analysis.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Comply with any legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
• Comply with the Standard Operating Procedures for the activity.
• Demonstrate techniques to other staff and/or students on the area of expertise as required.
• You will contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Health and Safety

• 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.
• You will be expected to manage the safe handling and disposal of all materials used in research laboratories, including hazardous materials.
• If required, assist or prepare risk assessments and keep these up to date.
• You will need to maintain all records as appropriate.
• Carry out regular maintenance processes as appropriate.
• You may be required to assist with PAT testing and calibration of equipment, and with updating equipment inventories.
• Maintain stocks of consumables and, if necessary, creating purchase order requisitions.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables and chemical reagents.
• Ensure that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems.
• Reporting any problems with equipment or services which cannot be resolved to the line manager as appropriate.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures where practicable.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect in line with current equality legislation.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder.
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• NVQ, BTEC/ONC at level three or equivalent level three qualification and specific relevant experience in an appropriate subject.
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• Practical experience of mammalian tissue culture techniques, including aseptic working and competent laboratory pipetting skills.
• Demonstrable experience of accurate laboratory solution preparation, serial dilutions and volumetric techniques, with a sound understanding of Good Laboratory Practice.
• Experience of working in a laboratory-based teaching or research environment; or be able to demonstrate the capability to participate in 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, autosampling apparatus.
• 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 university policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity.
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to James Coverdale, email: [e-mail]

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.