Senior Research Technician

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £28,397 to £30,210, with potential progression once in post to £33,938

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to December 2025

Role Summary

We are looking to recruit a Senior Research Technician to work within the research arm of the Beggs group (led by Prof Andrew Beggs). The group has wide ranging research interests and is a fast-paced multidisciplinary laboratory. The role requires overseeing the clinical trial work currently supported within the Beggs group. We seek a highly organised and motivated person who can co-ordinate both administrative and laboratory duties. The successful candidate will contribute to the running of the clinical trials, ensuring compliance with trial protocols and processing of trial samples. The group is currently involved in 12 clinical trials including FOxTROT, FARGO and STAR-TREC which deliver a variety of clinical samples to the laboratory daily.

Main Duties

• You will be responsible for liaising with trial units to provide consumables/materials as required.
• You will be responsible for compliance with individual trial protocols, including writing documentation as required.
• You will be required to process samples (including blood, tissue and faeces) in accordance with trial protocols.
• You will be required to perform sample testing, including but not limited to: nucleic acid extractions, quantification and quality checks, qPCR and next generation sequencing.
• You will be required to perform all administrative tasks associated with the trials plus any other administration required by the group.
• You will be responsible for assisting in managing the experimental and laboratories.
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.
• You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.

Person Specification

• Experience of working within a laboratory environment particularly with clinical samples
• Experience of working with clinical trials is desirable
• Experience in the following areas is desirable: blood processing, nucleic acid extraction, cell free DNA extraction, qPCR and next generation sequencing.
• Experience of using automation would be an advantage.
• High level of organisational skills is essential
• Good communication skills with a variety of stakeholders is essential
• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
• Extensive experience of similar laboratory-based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Jo Stockton, email: j.d.stockton@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 24/11/2024

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