Research Support Technician (Biological)

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

On-site gym access

Personal development courses

Childcare and travel discounts

Job summary

University of Leeds is seeking a Research Support Technician to support the School's expanding research portfolio across multiple laboratories. You will analyse samples using biological, chemical and physical protocols, and support academic staff and student projects.

You will maintain equipment, assist with procurement, produce SOPs and risk assessments, and work on your own initiative or as part of a team. Weekend work may be required for Open Days.

Qualifications

• Experience in a laboratory environment.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Carry out analysis of research samples using biological, chemical and physical protocols.
• Maintain equipment, servicing and procurement, and manage stocks of chemicals and consumables.
• Produce SOPs, risk assessments, COSHH forms and other documentation.
• Support student research projects at all levels.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Initiative

Education

BSc or BTEC Higher or equivalent

Tools

Tissue culture

Microbiology facilities

Job description

Are you enthusiastic, well organised and versatile, with a strong student service orientation? Do you have experience in working in a laboratory environment and want to use your skills and experience to support our busy research laboratories and help support our academic staff and deliver an excellent learning experience for our students?

We are looking for a Research Support Technician to support the School's expanding research portfolio including costed grants/awards and internal research in a range of laboratories across all School sites. You will carry out analysis of research samples using a range of biological, chemical and physical protocols. You will also provide support and expertise to student research projects at all levels including sample collection, preparation and analysis using a variety of techniques both wet chemical and instrumental.

You will also be responsible for maintaining equipment relevant to the research and project activities including servicing and procurement and maintaining stocks of chemicals and consumables. In addition, you will produce standard operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessments, COSHH forms and other documentation required by research projects aims.

You will have experience of working within a laboratory environment, alongside a BSc or BTEC Higher or equivalent in a relevant subject, together with experience of tissue culture and microbiological facilities. You will also have good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team. You may be required to work weekends to support Open Days and to maintain cell culture lines.

This job is only available to University of Leeds staff. It may be released externally should we not appoint internally.

Please note that due to Home Office visa requirements, this role is not suitable for first‑time Skilled Worker visa applicants. Information on other visa options is available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) - That's 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state‑of‑the‑art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on‑site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!