Technician in Molecular Microbiology

Reporting to the Technical Manager of the Biosciences Institute, the role will require specific technical and practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical practices and procedures, acquired by considerable experience on the job and/or vocational training. The post will work as part of a professional community to provide a technical support service to staff and students by following established working patterns, but there will be a need to resolve most problems without access to more senior colleagues. The role may involve developing skills in a particular specialist area or planning and supervising the work of others.

The role is to support ongoing research within the Murray lab focused on understanding the mechanism of DNA in bacteria. The project will involve standard microbiology techniques, bacterial two-hybrid assays, and predicting protein:protein interfaces using AlphaFold3. Critically, the project will provide direct support for a cohort of undergraduate research students in the lab.

This post is fixed term for a period of 3 months.

Key Accountabilities:

- Complete a range of maintenance activities and repairs
- Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve 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
- Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork
- Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records
- Complete accident reporting and assist with investigations
- Maintain broad and up to date health and safety knowledge providing support/advice to others
- Schedule, prioritize and monitor work and performance in line with demands and deadlines
- Hold delegated responsibility from the academic/technical lead for the planning, operation, and supervision of a variety of laboratory spaces
- Work collaboratively with the other areas to ensure efficiency and elimination of duplicated effort
- Organize and facilitate progress and management meetings
- Be a key contributor to service development, delivery and planning
- Contribute and support change
- Oversee local record keeping, inventory and asset management
- Monitor resource usage and stores operations
- 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
- Provide a broad range of skilled research/teaching support
- Prepare and manufacture a range of specimens/samples with limited direction
- Manage equipment bookings and assist with recharging
- Contribute to small and large scale building works
- Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training covering a broad range of activities (not limited to techniques and equipment)
- Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs
- Develop a broad knowledge and skills base, sharing with others
- Mentor junior staff
- Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Essential):

- Bacterial two-hybrid assays
- Protein structure prediction using AlphaFold3
- Experience using ChimeraX to visualize molecular structures
- Commitment to supporting undergraduate teaching
- Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures, and experience of safe waste management within a workshop/laboratory environment
- Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical laboratory role
- Excellent team working skills
- Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
- Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines with a positive and proactive approach to duties and attention to detail
- Ability to adapt to changes in teaching/research priorities

Desirable:

- Contribute to design and specification of teaching/research activities
- Understanding of bacterial DNA repair mechanisms

Attributes and Behaviour:

- Strong organizational skills
- Detail orientated
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills to interface with staff
- Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and precision
- Work in a collaborative and flexible way
- To exhibit University and Faculty values and principles

Qualifications (Essential):

- BTEC HNC/HND or equivalent in relevant subject or equivalent experience

Desirable:

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

Benefits include a generous holiday package with the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives.