Technician

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days leave

Pension scheme

Sport membership (6 months)

Flexible working

Job summary

The University of Glasgow's Glasgow Tissue Research Facility (GTRF) seeks a technician to support archival and tissue service operations at QEUH. You will manage archives, sample records, and service requests to ensure timely, traceable delivery of GTRF services.

You will work with FFPE materials, maintain the electronic sample management system and support NHS-aligned quality processes. Occasional off-campus storage access and travel are required.

Qualifications

• A1 SCQF level 5/6 or equivalent and development in a similar role.
• A2 Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook or equivalent.
• A3 Knowledge of relevant policies, quality standards and outputs.

Responsibilities

• Manage archival material, sample records and service requests to support smooth operation.
• Maintain FFPE tissue archives and ensure accurate storage and retrievability.
• Log and track FFPE blocks and slides in the electronic sample management system.

Skills

Verbal & written comms

Interpersonal skills

Office365

Attention to detail

Manual handling risk awareness

GDPR understanding

Education

SCQF Level 5/6 or equivalent

Tools

Office365

Database systems

LIMS familiarity

Job description

Job Purpose

The Glasgow Tissue Research Facility (GTRF) is seeking a technician to support its translational tissue service, based in the Laboratory Medicine Building at the QEUH. The GTRF provides a bespoke tissue microarray (TMA) service, using archival and clinical research FFPE tissue samples to produce TMAs for approved translational research projects.

This is a key operational role at the heart of the GTRF. The postholder will provide essential archival, sample management and laboratory support services, enabling the GTRF to deliver its bespoke TMA and associated histology services effectively.

The postholder will play a key role in retrieving and returning archived material, maintaining the electronic sample management system and ensuring that service requests are managed accurately and efficiently. Working as an integral member of the GTRF team, the postholder will be essential to supporting the smooth, efficient and GCLP compliant delivery of GTRF services.

The role will require travel to storage facilities off-campus and occasional use of step stools or ladders for storage access.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Play a key role in the day-to-day operation of the GTRF, ensuring that archival material, sample records and service requests are effectively managed and that activities are coordinated to support the smooth running of the facility.
2. Maintain and manage the GTRF tissue archives, ensuring that FFPE material is accurately stored, organised and readily retrievable.
3. Coordinate the retrieval and provision of archival tissue material for approved GTRF projects, including the retrieval of material from the NHS storage facility at Dava Street and the Pathology archives at the QEUH.
4. Maintain the GTRF electronic sample management system, ensuring that FFPE blocks and slides are accurately logged, labelled and fully traceable.
5. Ensure that all stages of the archiving process are accurately documented, maintaining complete records to support traceability, retrieval and the effective management of archival material.
6. Complete the necessary training and competency requirements associated with the role, including obtaining an honorary contract and completing relevant NHS competencies, to support compliant human tissue archival work in line with GTRF and NHS procedures.
7. Act as a central point of contact for GTRF service requests, managing the service email account, responding to and logging enquiries, ensuring that requests are dealt with in a timely manner, and directing specialist service requests to the appropriate member of staff.
8. Prepare and provide quotations for GTRF services, including microtomy and scanning.
9. Contribute to the daily coordination of GTRF activities through the team huddle, providing updates on service requests, highlighting any issues requiring attention and supporting effective communication across the team.
10. Contribute to the safe, efficient and well-organised functioning of the GTRF, supporting the effective delivery of day-to-day activities.
11. Support the maintenance of GCLP alignment within the facility, undertaking quality assurance activities as directed by the School of Cancer Sciences Quality Lead and/or the GTRF Manager.
12. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings and discussions, contributing to the wider College and School activities as required.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 5 or 6 [National 5 or 6, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 2 or 3] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Detailed knowledge of relevant systems such as Microsoft Office and Outlook.

A3 Understanding of relevant policies and procedures relative to the role, and the quality standards and outputs required.

Skills

Essential

C1. Good verbal and written communication skills

C2. Good interpersonal skills, working independently and as part of a team

C3. Good working knowledge of widely used software such as Office365

C4. Accuracy and attention to detail.

C6. An understanding or ability to learn and appreciate the risks of manual handling and risk assessments

C7. Understand the legislation around using human tissue in research and GDPR.

Desirable

D1. An understanding and appreciation of the requirements of working within a regulatory framework such as, GLP, ISO15189, GCP or GCLP

D2. A working knowledge of electronic sample management systems or LIMS

Experience

Essential

E1. Recent experience of using software packages, including MS Office/Office 365, and database systems.

E2. Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships.

Desirable

F1. Previous work experience in a similar role, with similar responsibilities

F2. Experience of working within a quality management system or a regulatory framework.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4, £25,804 - £27,319 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended with funding available until 31st March 2027.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
• 3 A flexible approach to working.
• 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 12 October 2026 at 23:45