Research Technician

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days leave

Pension

Flexible working

Health & wellbeing

Job summary

University of Glasgow is seeking a proactive Research Technician to join the Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group. You will coordinate patient sample collection, perform core wet-lab experiments, and support day-to-day lab operations while liaising with clinical teams.

The role requires strong technical, data management and team-working skills, with a focus on GMP-like standards and ethical compliance. It offers full-time employment at Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre.

Qualifications

• A1 level qualification in Biological Sciences or related discipline with lab experience.
• In-depth technical knowledge aligned to the duties and responsibilities.
• Strong IT skills and data integrity focus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills within a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical knowledge and support to research users to maximise learning and deliver objectives.
• Assist with smooth lab operations and efficient running of the facility.
• Coordinate patient sample collection with clinical teams in line with GCP and ethics.
• Process samples and perform standard molecular/cellular assays with precision.

Skills

Technical knowledge

IT skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Work prioritisation

Health & safety knowledge

GLP & COSHH knowledge

Education

Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7

Tools

Laboratory software

Job description

Job Purpose

We are seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Research Technician to join our dynamic translational research team dedicated to advancing discoveries in pancreatic cancer. The research technician will bridge laboratory research and clinical translation by coordinating patient sample collection, performing core wet-lab experiments, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operational management of our laboratory. The Research Technician will also provide assistance with other projects within the Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, such as projects studying cancer inequalities, the role of environmental exposure and immune response in pancreatic cancer and defining biomarkers of drug response and clinical outcomes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Provide in-depth technical knowledge, support, solutions, and advice to academic and student service users within the specified discipline or assigned research project to maximise the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research objectives.
• 2. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure an excellent experience for service users.
• 3. Liaise with clinical and hospital teams to facilitate the timely collection, transport, and logging of patient blood and tissue specimens in accordance with GCP and ethical standards.
• 4. Using in-depth technical knowledge and expertise to process samples, including isolation of serum, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or nucleic acids and perform standard molecular/cellular assays with high precision, reproducibility, and troubleshooting as required.
• 5. Maintain, pass, and bank primary and established cell lines using aseptic techniques, including the preparation of specialised media, reagents, and cryopreservation stocks.
• 6. Accurately track sample metadata, biorepository inventories, and experimental results in digital databases and laboratory information systems.
• 7. Develop, create and test new equipment, systems, procedures, protocols, models and/or techniques. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance as required.
• 8. Design, plan and organise technical activities to meet the needs of the team within agreed timescales.
• 9. Advise, train and provide guidance and support to service users in the best application and operation of technical resources and routine protocols.
• 10. In liaison with relevant senior staff, monitor technical standards, advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.
• 11. Collect, analyse and interpret data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate records are kept and databases are updated accordingly. Present findings accurately. This may include research and/or teaching related data.
• 12. Where relevant, maintain appropriate laboratory consumable stock levels, including appropriate preparation of specialised media and samples as required, manage reagent inventory, purchase consumables and supplies within defined budget and coordinate regular equipment maintenance and calibration
• 13. Where relevant, in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure safe and efficient functioning of the technical space, continuous adherence to laboratory biosafety, COSHH, and local health and safety regulations as determined by the University and the Health and Safety Executive; assist with writing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments.
• 14. Where relevant supervise staff including allocating work and monitoring progress and outputs.
• 15. Collaborate with colleagues and actively participate in team meetings & discussions, present data and contribute to the wider School activities and initiatives aligned with the university Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/
• 16. The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the post holder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of technicalstaff in a university.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

• A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 [Advanced Higher / Scottish vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate] or an equivalent qualification in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, or a related discipline, alongside relevant laboratory experience. (A BSc or equivalent practical laboratory background is advantageous).

Skills

Essential:

• C1 Demonstrable in-depth technical knowledge and skills aligned to the specified duties and responsibilities.
• C2 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist and standard software packages.
• C3 Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, and commitment to rigorous data integrity and experimental reproducibility.
• C4 Proven interpersonal and communication skills with an enthusiastic, dependable approach to working within a multi-disciplinary research team[LK3]
• C5 Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills.
• C6 Ability to plan and prioritise workload to manage laboratory stock and competing demands of experimental schedules and maintain meticulous digital records.
• C7Understanding of relevant health and safety policies and procedures relative to the role, and the quality outputs and standards required.
• C8 Clear working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), tissue handling protocols, COSHH, and biological risk assessments.

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Demonstrable experience in primary sample processing (particularly blood processing) and mammalian cell culture.
• E2 Experience of understanding, conceptualising and interpreting the technical requirements of a research group , coordinating seamlessly with clinical staff, research nurses, and hospital personnel, and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.
• E3 Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of service users.
• E4 Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended with funding available for up to 3 years.

Location: Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must therefore have an existing right to work in the UK or be able to secure this independently prior to commencing employment. For further information on alternative immigration options, please visit University of Glasgow's UKVI Website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/pod/visasimmigration/otherimmigrationroutes/

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
• 3 A flexible approach to working.
• 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 20th October 2026