Scientific Operations Assistant

University of Leeds; Leeds; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme options plus

Life assurance

On-site gym membership discounts

Staff development courses

Job summary

The University of Leeds is seeking a Laboratory Support role within the Scientific Operations Team to provide essential lab assistance across priorities in LICAMM. You will join a team of skilled professionals, working under an experienced supervisor to support research and teaching.

Responsibilities include waste collection and disposal, washing glassware, preparing and sterilising solutions, using autoclaves, setting out equipment, and keeping laboratories tidy. Training is provided.

Qualifications

• Basic computer literacy and knowledge of safe manual handling techniques.

Responsibilities

• Collect and safely dispose of laboratory waste.
• Wash glassware and labware using machines or by hand.
• Prepare and sterilise solutions; use autoclaves.
• Set out and clear equipment; wash benches; keep laboratories tidy.
• Prepare media as required.
• Service communal rooms and assist with room/laboratory relocations.
• Pack dirty lab coats for laundry collection; sort clean laundry.
• Record keeping and data input.
• Move between areas to cover for absent colleagues.

Skills

Laboratory safety

Communication skills

Teamwork

Basic computer literacy

Manual handling

Job description

The Scientific Operations Team are committed to providing responsible and flexible teams to support academic priorities throughout LICAMM. We do this through our dedicated team of technical staff who engage in varied activities to support research and teaching. You will join a team of highly skilled, professionals, working closely under an experiences supervisor/manager, to provide basic laboratory support.

Reporting to the Scientific Operations Manager, you will carry out the regular collection and safe disposal of laboratory waste, washing up of glass and plasticware using machines or by hand as appropriate. The preparation and sterilisation of solutions and the use of autoclaves, setting out and clearing equipment, washing benches and keeping the laboratories tidy will also be a priority, as well as preparation of media as required. Other duties will include servicing communal rooms, assisting senior staff with room/laboratory relocations, packing of dirty lab coats for laundry collection, and checking and sorting clean laundry.

You will carry out general laboratory administrative tasks, such as record keeping and data input. You will also work flexibly and move to various area to cover for absent colleagues and support multiple laboratory areas.

You will need to be enthusiastic about the role and have a can-do attitude. As you will have daily contact with academic staff, support staff, researchers and students, you should have an approachable and professional manner, along with good communication skills and team working skills. You will also need basic computer literacy and knowledge of safe manual handling techniques. It would be advantageous to have some experiences in a laboratory environment, though this is not essential as training will be given. The role will involve some moderately heavy work. This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Information on other visa options is available at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas?

Are you passionate about science and making a different to medicine and health? Could you provide a professional, laboratory support service to staff working in ground-breaking research and teaching with a friendly and helpful attitude?

The University of Leeds is one of the top 135 universities in the world. We have a truly global community, with more than 39,000 students from 170 different countries and over 9,000 staff of 100 different nationalities. Established in 1904, we have a strong tradition of academic excellence, reflected in first-class student education, along with world-leading research that has a real impact around the globe.

• 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 plus life assurance
• 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, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
• And much more!