Senior Research Technician - Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences - 106617 - Grade 5

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global university in Birmingham is hiring for a full-time position in research support within the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. You will offer technical expertise, supervise staff, and handle clinical trial samples. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and extensive laboratory experience. This role is a fixed term contract up to September 2026 with competitive salary and generous benefits.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Subsidised day nurseries

Qualifications

• Extensive relevant workplace experience in a laboratory setting.
• Knowledge of current legislation and health and safety policies.
• Experience with technical and scientific methods related to cancer research.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for cancer research using various techniques.
• Maintain sample database and process clinical trial samples.
• Assist in managing experimental laboratories and ensure compliance with legislation.

Skills

Technical expertise in cancer research

Laboratory techniques knowledge

Ability to train and mentor staff

Problem-solving skills

Data handling and management

Education

Relevant professional qualification or degree

GCSE level 2 in Mathematics and English

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Commonly used software packages

Job description

Position Details

Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388

Grade: 5

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2026

Closing date: 27th November 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector‑leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state‑of‑the‑art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham.

Background

This full‑time position (35 hours/week) within the College of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, within the Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE) sits in the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences.

The post is funded for 12 months study and InHANSE is one of the leading research groups internationally in head and neck cancer. Its research portfolio includes translational research (such as biomarker discovery and development, drug development and repurposing) and multi-national, multi-centre clinical trials.

Role Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need an in‑depth understanding of the techniques and experimental protocols. Experience of cancer cell models would be preferable. You will be able to use your in‑depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.

In order to flexibly use resources you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the Institute or College or wider university.

Main Duties

The role holder will provide support for the research undertaken by Professor Mehanna using a variety of techniques to include, but not exclusively:

• Co‑ordinating collection, processing, storage and distribution of clinical trial samples
• Maintaining sample database
• Process samples by
  • Serum separation
  • Buffy coat preparation
  • PBMC isolation
  • DNA/RNA extraction
• Basic molecular biology techniques
• Writing and updating SOPs
• Data handling and management
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students.
• Work to deadlines imposed by the PI or nominee and provide consistent results delivery
• Communicate results to colleagues
• You will be responsible for assisting in managing the experimental laboratories.
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgement to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.
• Maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including methodology and results.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research activity.
• Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
• Reporting any breaches or non‑compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for laboratory.
• Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider or Fire Warden.

General Administration and Organisation

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.

Other Duties

• In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• In‑depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods stated above.
• Extensive proven experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Understanding of the Human Tissue Act and working to GLP standards.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium‑longer‑term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem solving and decision making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.

Internal and external relationships

This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.

Informal enquiries to Carol Benham, email: [e-mail]

View our staff values and behaviours here.

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.