Media Preparation Technician - Generative Biology Institute

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A research institute in Oxford is seeking a Media Preparation Technician to support its Generative Biology Institute. This hands-on role involves preparing and sterilizing laboratory media and ensuring researchers have a consistent supply of high-quality materials. The ideal candidate should have a BSc in a scientific subject and previous laboratory experience, with strong communication and organizational skills. The position includes a range of benefits and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

Hospital Cash Plan

Therapy Services

Perk Box

Electrical Car Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory support or technical services in research environments.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures accurately.
• Knowledge of health & safety regulations and contamination control.

Responsibilities

• Prepare laboratory media, buffers, and solutions.
• Maintain and operate sterilisation equipment.
• Manage stock levels and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Laboratory media preparation

Aseptic techniques

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

BSc in a scientific subject

Tools

Autoclave

Laboratory equipment

Job description

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) tackles humanity’s greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas led by a faculty of world experts, EIT seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: Health, Medical Science and Generative Biology; Food security and Sustainable agriculture; Clean Energy Generation and Storage; and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

A cornerstone of EIT mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.

The Generative Biology Institute (GBI) at the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) aims to overcome two major challenges in making biology engineerable: 1) the ability to precisely synthesize entire genomes, and 2) understanding which DNA sequences will create biological systems that perform desired functions. Solving these challenges will unlock the potential of biology for transformative solutions in health, sustainability, agriculture, and more. GBI will house 30 groups and over 300 researchers, supported by cutting-edge facilities and sustained funding to address global challenges and advance biology engineering.

EIT fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.

We are seeking a Media Preparation Technicianto support the cutting-edge research carried out at the Generative Biology Institute. This hands-on role is essential to the smooth running of our labs, ensuring researchers have a consistent supply of high-quality media, buffers, plates, and solutions.

You’ll be responsible for preparing and sterilising a wide range of materials, maintaining equipment, managing stock levels, and ensuring all work meets strict quality and safety standards. Working as part of the technical services team, you’ll play a key role in enabling world-class science through precision, reliability, and attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare a wide range of laboratory media, buffers, plates and solutions, according to the required standard operating procedure and research requirements.
• Operate autoclaves and other sterilisation equipment, performing routine checks and reporting faults promptly.
• Ensure aseptic preparation and handling of media to avoid contamination.
• Follow strict quality control standards in the preparation, recording procedures and updating systems appropriately.
• Maintain accurate records of media preparation, sterilization cycles, and stock levels
• Label, store all prepared materials as appropriate
• Carry out tasks in a timely fashion, ensuring there is a regular supply of media and plates for scientific labs.
• Clean, maintain, record, and report faults with the media preparation equipment including autoclaves, refrigeration to ensure high quality media production.
• Manage and monitor stocks of raw materials, reagents, and consumables required for media preparation and liaise with procurement.
• Ensure safe handling and appropriate separation/disposal of contaminated and non-contaminated materials.
• Regularly conduct stock takes to ensure all materials are in date.
• Respond to the scientific request and support experimental plan execution.
• Maintain accurate records, including batch numbers to ensure regulatory compliance
• Adhere strictly to institutional health & safety policies, COSHH regulations, and good laboratory practice of the Generative Biology Institute, including the correct use of PPE.
• Contribute to good housekeeping practices in service areas, ensuring they are clean, safe, and well organized.
• Assist in training or advising junior staff, students, or visitors on safe media preparation and handling procedures.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• BSc in a scientific subject.
• Previous experience in laboratory support, technical services, or a related scientific role in research, academic, or industrial laboratory environment.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) with accuracy and consistency.
• Practical knowledge of preparing, sterilizing, and handling laboratory media, buffers, solutions and specialized media (e.g. microbiological, cell culture, or biochemical).
• Understanding of aseptic techniques and contamination control in laboratory environments.
• Awareness of health & safety regulations, including COSHH, biohazard handling autoclave safety and knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and record-keeping systems
• Ability to carry out manual handling tasks and operate laboratory equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to interpret scientific experimental design.
• Ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative and service-focused approach.
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a busy research environment.
• Basic IT skills for maintaining preparation logs, stock inventories, and reporting maintenance issues.
• Willingness to undertake additional training and development to broaden technical expertise.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

• Enhanced holiday pay
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electrical Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
• During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.