Support Technician: Research (Cell & Developmental Biology)

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid options

Generous pension

Job summary

The University of Sheffield is seeking an enthusiastic technician to provide technical support for Drosophila culture, tissue culture, molecular biology and general lab maintenance in a research lab in the School of Biosciences. You will work to ensure researchers have the equipment and resources needed for their activities, maintain stock lines, prepare media and solutions, and assist with histology work.

Applicants must have GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent Level 2), biology laboratory

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent Level 2) required.
• Biology laboratory experience with equipment and IT skills.
• Experience with Drosophila or cell culture is desirable.
• Experience with MS Word, Excel and email.
• Able to work in a team and communicate effectively.
• Commitment to continuing professional development (CPD).

Responsibilities

• Prepare growth media and solutions.
• Undertake routine Drosophila fly husbandry tasks.
• Maintain a shared tissue culture facility.
• Stock control, requisitioning and simple databases.
• General laboratory maintenance and equipment upkeep.
• Deliver external equipment and chemicals to the lab.
• Follow Health and Safety procedures including risk assessments.
• Support students and staff in the work area.
• Provide technical support to undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
• Attend safety/training courses and stay compliant.
• Pursue personal and professional development.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the post.

Skills

GCSE English & Maths

Biology lab

Drosophila experience

MS Office

Teamwork

Safety procedures

Attention to detail

CPD commitment

Education

Level 2 qualification (GCSE English & Maths)

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated technician to provide technical support for Drosophila culture, tissue culture, molecular biology and general lab maintenance in a research lab in the School of Biosciences. You will work to ensure researchers have the equipment/resources needed for their activities. You will maintain Drosophila stock lines, look after tissue culture facilities, make growth media, and prepare molecular biology and histology solutions. You will carry out general lab duties, operate and maintain equipment and order reagents. You will be dedicated to providing high-quality research support contributing to the success of research within the laboratory and supporting the work carried out by academic colleagues.

Applicants must have Experience equivalent to minimum qualifying GCSE grade in English and Maths, or equivalent Level 2 qualification. Biology laboratory experience including the use of scientific equipment and IT skills are also essential requirements.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Prepare growth media and solutions.
• Undertake routine Drosophila fly husbandry tasks.
• Maintain a shared tissue culture facility.
• Perform stock control and requisitioning, maintain simple stock databases.
• General laboratory maintenance, including cleaning laboratory equipment, controlled temperature rooms, water baths.
• Deliver external equipment and chemicals to the lab.
• Follow all the relevant Health and Safety procedures including standard operating procedures, CoSHH and risk assessments.
• Work effectively with others and assist students and staff in the work area.
• Provide technical expertise to undergraduate projects, postgraduate projects and to colleagues in the department as required.
• Attend all required safety and training courses, and always comply with required safety, licensing and ethical regulations.
• Take responsibility for personal and professional development, keeping abreast of developments in techniques and technology.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable.

• Experience equivalent to minimum qualifying GCSE grade in English and Maths, or equivalent Level 2 qualification (Essential, Application)
• Instrumentation skills, including use of scientific equipment (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Appropriate practical experience in biology labs including preparing solutions and growth media, and general lab maintenance (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Experience of working with Drosophila or cell culture, including maintenance of stocks in a multi-user facility (Desirable, Application/Interview)
• Experience of common IT applications, for example MS Word, Excel and email (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Experience in laboratory stock control and computer-based requisitioning using e.g. Enterprise software such as SAP (Desirable, Application/Interview)
• Good interpersonal/communication skills (written and oral) in order to work with other lab and facility users (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Ability to work accurately and with attention to detail (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Planning and working safely at all times. Understand and comply with relevant statutory, quality, environmental compliance procedures, organisational and health and safety regulations (Essential, Application/Interview)
• Commitment to continuing professional development (CPD). (Essential, Application/Interview)

Further Information

• Grade: 4
• Salary: £25,754 - £27,241 per annum, pro rata
• Work arrangement: Part-time (14 hours per week)
• Duration: Available immediately to 31 December 2030
• Line manager: Research Fellow in the Strutt Laboratory
• Direct reports: None
• Right to work in the UK: This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship under the UK Visa & Immigration points-based system. Information on alternative visa options is available on www.gov.uk.
• Our website: School of Biosciences
• For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Helen Strutt (Research Fellow / Line Manager) at [e-mail]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date :02/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.