Senior Research Technician - Department of Inflammation and Ageing - 106374 - Grade 5

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

Job summary

A leading UK university in Birmingham is looking for a talented research support professional to join their team in the Department of Inflammation and Ageing. The role involves providing technical expertise and guidance in research, with responsibilities for managing experimental procedures and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Candidates should have extensive laboratory experience and knowledge of relevant techniques. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary range and opportunities for career progression.

Qualifications

• Experience with human tissue processing and cell culture.
• Knowledge of drug discovery or RNA biology is desirable.
• Ability to manage tasks independently and work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise in research support.
• Supervise technical staff and advise on procedures.
• Maintain laboratory safety and compliance.

Skills

Cell culture

RNA expression analysis

FACS analysis

Western blotting

ELISA techniques

Education

Professional qualification or degree in a relevant subject

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Commonly used software packages

Job description

Position Details

Department of Inflammation and Ageing, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, 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 February 2027

Closing date: 2nd October 2025

Job context

This post is within the department of Inflammation and Ageing, based in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham to support Professor Simon Jones’ research group and is funded by Versus Arthritis.

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. 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 resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Research duties

This position will involve the selection and functional screening of siRNA-peptide conjugates across multiple human, primate and mouse cell lines. We are therefore seeking a highly motivated and organised individual to undertake human tissue processing and cell culture, and skilled in cellular transfection, RNA expression analysis (qRT-PCR, RNA-seq), FACS analysis, Western blotting, and ELISA techniques.

• 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.
• You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment 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.
• You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including 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.
• Post holders 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

Experience of undertake human tissue processing and cell culture, cellular transfection, RNA expression analysis (qRT-PCR, RNA-seq), FACS analysis, Western blotting, and ELISA techniques.

A background or interest in osteoarthritis, drug discovery, RNA biology, or therapeutic screening is highly desirable. Understanding of the human tissue act and ethics would also be an advantage.

• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
• Extensive 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.
• 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.

Further particulars can be found here.

Informal enquiries to Abbie Riley, email: [e-mail]

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