Technician - Life Sciences

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a full-time Lab Assistant to support large classes, manage lab setups, and assist with student fieldtrips. The ideal candidate has strong literacy and numeracy skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and excellent customer service abilities. A full driving licence is essential for this role. Applications are open until 25th September 2025, with interviews anticipated in October 2025.

Qualifications

• Literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to SCQF Level 5 or similar.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.
• Well-developed interpersonal and team working skills.
• Demonstrable professional and proactive approach.
• Ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer service.
• Full, clean driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Helping prepare and clean up after large classes.
• Setting up labs.
• Helping with student fieldtrips and driving minibuses.
• Routine cleaning of equipment.
• Assisting with research projects.
• Maintaining stocks of lab coats and lockers.

Job description

Job Description

Salary: Grade 4 (£24,215 - £26,093)

Contract: Full-Time (35 hours, 1 FTE), open-ended role, based at our Edinburgh campus

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following duties:

• Helping prepare and clean up after large classes
• Setting up labs
• Helping with student fieldtrips, including driving minibuses and assisting staff and students during the field trips
• Undertaking routine cleaning of microscopes and assistance with maintaining other equipment
• Assisting as required with research projects
• Undertaking other duties to support the team including maintaining stocks of lab coats and allocating lockers to students

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

Person Specification

Essential

1. Literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to SCQF Level 5 or similar (see link for details) or equivalent experience
2. Competent in the use of relevant IT packages, including Microsoft Office
3. Well-developed interpersonal and team working skills
4. Demonstrable professional and proactive approach
5. Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment
6. Ability to deliver excellent customer service
7. Full, clean driving licence

Desirable

1. Experience of working in a lab environment
2. Minibus licence

About our Team

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society is one of the UK's leading institutions for multidisciplinary research in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. We aim to attain excellence in the teaching of the core disciplines that contribute to a sustainable, resource and energy efficient society and are committed to undertaking high value, high impact research and knowledge transfer in topics of relevance to global challenges.

The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES) undertakes multidisciplinary research in the areas of Environment, Health, Food and Sport, based both in Edinburgh and at the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) in the Orkney Isles. Further information can be obtained at - https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/iles.htm

How to Apply

Applications with FULL CV (and Cover letter) can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Thursday, 25th September 2025.

Shortlisting is anticipated w/c 29th September 2025 and interviews are anticipated to be conducted w/c 6th October 2025.

For informal discussions about the position please contact John Fox, Technical Services Manager [e-mail].

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.