Technical Specialist

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Newcastle University invites applications for a Laboratory Technical Specialist role focusing on imaging methodologies within a multidisciplinary team. Based at the Newcastle Upon Tyne campus, you will collaborate with researchers advancing correlative light and electron microscopy to study muscle cell biology and mitochondrial function.

The 16-month contract, starting mid-2026, offers a dynamic environment with NHS collaboration and state-of-the-art facilities, with potential flexible working

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience of mammalian/human cell culture or tissue samples.
• Experience with light or electron microscopy.
• Ability to prepare high quality samples for imaging analysis.

Responsibilities

• Establish, culture and cryopreserve patient-derived cells.
• Prepare cells or tissue samples for imaging.
• Immunofluorescent labelling of cells or tissues.
• Collaborate with imaging specialists to optimize sample prep and imaging.
• Oversee safety records and maintain a safe, compliant working environment.
• Manage equipment bookings and related costings.

Skills

Cell culture

Microscopy

Tissue samples

Health & safety

Laboratory techniques

Teamwork

Organisation

Problem solving

Education

BTEC/HNC/HND or A-level

Job description

Salary: £32,080 to £33,002 with progression to £34,610 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 6 September 2026

The Role

Are you a laboratory technical specialist with a passion for imaging methodologies. Are you interested in joining a multi-disciplinary team working to establish correlative light and electron microscopy for the study of muscle cell biology?

We are looking for a motivated technical specialist to join our dynamic research team. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with specialists in light and electron microscopy imaging and scientists at the forefront of pioneering research in metabolic and muscle diseases. Our goal is to determine how the structure of muscle cells impacts mitochondrial genetics and how in turn mitochondrial function impacts muscle cell structure and in particular nuclear position.

In this role, you will be based at our Newcastle Upon Tyne campus, which has fantastic transport links and state of the art facilities. You will join the world-class, multidisciplinary Newcastle Mitochondrial Research Group, renowned for our extensive experience in characterising mitochondrial function in both health and disease. The group also includes a vibrant Young Scientists Group. Our researchers work in close collaboration with NHS clinical activities, bridging basic and translational science to advance the understanding of mitochondrial biology to develop new therapies for patients and families.

The position is full-time and available for a duration of 16 months in the first instance, starting in mid-2026. We recognise and support diverse personal circumstances and are open to discuss flexible working arrangements.

For informal enquiries contact: Dr Amy Vincent [e-mail]

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/amyvincent.html

Key Accountabilities

• Establish, culture and cryopreserve patient-derived cells


• Prepare cells or tissue samples for imaging


• Immunofluorescent labelling of cells or tissues


• Work to optimize sample preparation and imaging alongside specialist colleagues


• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve both routine and complex problems and investigate replacement options


• Advise on equipment capabilities demonstrating how results can be achieved


• By developing local procedures, establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment


• Hold devolved safety responsibilities relevant to the specialism


• Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records


• Maintain in-depth and up-to-date health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism. Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork


• Schedule, prioritize and monitor work in line with demands and deadlines


• Be a key contributor to specialism development, delivery and planning


• Contribute to and support change


• Source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment


• Create, update and implement procedures to deliver an aligned, efficient and effective service


• Prepare and manufacture specimens/samples requiring specialist skills following training, with limited direction


• Manage equipment bookings, calculate charges/costs and assist with re-charging

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge and experience of mammalian and human cell culture techniques or work with tissue samples


• Knowledge and experience of light microscopy or electron microscopy


• Ability to prepare high quality samples for imaging analysis


• Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical role


• Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures


• Excellent team working skills


• Demonstrates technical and problem-solving capacity


• Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail


• Ability to adapt to changes in laboratory research priorities

Attributes and Behaviour

• Tact, diplomacy and able to handle difficult situations


• Ability to meet deadlines with effective time and resource management.


• Clear communicator and active listener


• Consistent and appropriate approach to staff and situations


• Use of feedback for process improvement and staff development


• Team player, self starter and able to manage complex workload


• Ability to respond enthusiastically and positively to undergraduate students

Qualifications

• BTEC HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles


• Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment (Desirable)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.