Technician (Assay Development & Drug Discovery)

University of Exeter; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Exeter is seeking a Technician for Assay Development & Drug Discovery. The successful candidate will support drug discovery efforts, manage chemical libraries, and develop experimental workflows. This role offers career development opportunities and is aligned with cutting-edge research teams. The ideal candidate will have relevant laboratory experience and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowances

Flexible working options

Pension scheme

Discounts at leading retailers

Onsite gyms and cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in drug discovery processes.
• Ability to design and optimize experimental workflows.
• Background in working within multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Support drug discovery methodologies development.
• Plan and implement high-throughput screening experiments.
• Curation of chemical libraries and strain collections.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Data analysis and interpretation

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Bioluminescent assays

Automated workflows

Chemical libraries management

Job description

Technician (Assay Development & Drug Discovery)
Exeter
Apply by 21/08/2025

Salary: The starting salary will be from £27,644 on Grade D, depending on qualifications and experience
Contractual hours: 36.5
Package: Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme
Job category/type: Technicians and Laboratory Staff

Technical Strategy & Operations

This new, full-time post is available immediately and for three years in the first instance (with possibility of extension, subject to approval).

Summary of the role

The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) seeks an experienced research technician to join a recently funded 5-year programme of antifungal drug discovery at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology. This exciting new programme connects MRC CMM researchers with drug discovery experts and scientists from the Dundee Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) (www.drugdiscovery.dundee.ac.uk/) and GSK Global Health Medicines R&D to facilitate the discovery and development of new drugs for invasive fungal diseases. Together, the MRC CMM, DDU and GSK GHM form a dynamic and multidisciplinary group that covers all aspects of drug discovery up to candidate selection.

About you

This role will support multiple aspects of programme development, including the construction of new bioluminescent and other reporter strains of human fungal pathogens, development, optimisation, and implementation of automated workflows to determine the drug susceptibility and resistance liabilities of novel antifungal drugs, curation of programme resources, including strain collections and chemical libraries, media preparation, and procurement.

The post holder will assist programme members with: the design and optimisation of drug discovery methodologies; the planning and implementation of low-, medium- and high-throughput screening experiments; purchasing and stock-keeping of screening reagents and consumables; and the development of standard operating procedures. The role is primarily laboratory based.

The successful applicant will work alongside senior members of the UoE Assay Development and Drug Discovery team, aligned to the activities of the wider research team and reporting to the local and international Programme Leads. Career development opportunities will be available for the right candidate, including continuing education, conference attendance, scientific publishing and development of funding applications.

Organisational context:

The Research Services Division is a key enabler to the delivery of the University’s Strategy 2030, the Research and Impact Strategy, successful REF performances, and meeting research income targets.

This role is within the Technical Strategy & Operations part of the Division. We are research and teaching technical staff across the entirety of the University of Exeter. We work in specialist areas across the University and beyond, undertaking and supporting research and teaching and promoting compliance and best practice, in the labs, studios, workshops, and field.

The service is comprised of a team of talented individuals who support our teaching and research, and in training the next generation of top scientists. Our technical roles, which include experimental officers, laboratory technicians and research technicians, all focus on different aspects of science and humanities - from mechanical/electrical engineering, medicine and health, life sciences, social sciences, film, drama & communications, physics, geology and geography, and so much more.

This post supports the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences brings together academics and students across the spectrum of health, wellbeing and life sciences, including the social and environmental context, to create a holistic community with exciting synergies, dedicated to creating positive impact.

Covering Biosciences, Psychology, Health and Care Professions (Nursing, Medical Imaging and Pharmacy), Public Health and Sports Sciences, Health and Community Sciences, and Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, the Faculty is based over multiple campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, and on partner NHS sites.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and are in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality, and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world-leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country, and Exeter (a fast-growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries, we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits, including:

• 39 days’ leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campuses, and a cycle to work scheme
• sector-leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks’ full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Elaine Bignell ([e-mail])

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

The University of Exeter is a proud supporter of the Technician Commitment, a charter focusing on the visibility, recognition and career development of our technical staff. For further information, please see our website.