Research Technician - College of Medical and Dental Sciences - 103624 - Grade 4

Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA) is a Research facility located within the Institute of Translational Medicine (ITM) providing advanced histology services using a range of cutting-edge spatial biology technologies including spatial transcriptomics, spatial proteomics and digital image analysis. BTA aims to support experimental research, industry-funded preclinical projects, and early-phase clinical trial delivery through provision of GCP-compliant multi-parameter tissue analysis.

The post holder will work under the academic guidance of Professor Andrew Filer (BTA Academic lead) and will be supervised by Dr David Gardner (BTA Research Facility Manager). They will also be expected to interact closely with other staff working within BTA, with local researchers, with related research facility staff members and clinicians. The post holder will work in accordance to agreed specifications and protocols, time, and budgets, and in a manner compliant with the appropriate regulatory and quality standards.

Role Summary

You will provide technical support for research activities as required, utilising your technical skills and a wide range of techniques. You will also be expected to ensure your working area is safe and support others in following health and safety instructions. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate research activity. In order to flexibly use resource, you may be given the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider University. Within the BTA facility, you will support the delivery histology services including tissue sample preparation/processing, Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) tissue sectioning and brightfield slide scanning. The post holder will work with other technical staff members to maintain equipment, order laboratory consumables.

Main Duties

Facility support

• Providing histology services as part of the BTA facility including handling tissue samples and basic histology processes such as FFPE tissue sectioning and brightfield imaging.


• Logging human tissue samples into the lab using Laboratory Information Management software (Procuro).


• Carry out techniques and experimental procedures as required by facility staff, students and Principal Investigators, designed to contribute to a specific research project or projects.


• You will be expected to resolve problems in your area of expertise but also to recognise when problems need to be referred to more senior staff.


• You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures carried out, and of any other research activities you may be involved in, including results.


• Comply with any legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.


• Comply with the Standard Operating Procedures for the activity.


• Demonstrate techniques to other staff and/or students on the area of expertise as required.


• You will contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.


Health and Safety

• You will be expected to uphold compliance with all University and local Health & Safety policies, including risk assessments and manual handling, reporting any breaches or non-compliance to the relevant manager.


• You will be expected to manage the safe handling and disposal of all materials used in research laboratories, including hazardous materials.


• If required, assist or prepare risk assessments and keep these up to date.


• You will need to maintain all records as appropriate.


• Carry out regular maintenance processes as appropriate.


Administrative duties

• You may be required to assist with calibration of equipment, and with updating equipment inventories.


• Maintain stocks of consumables and, if necessary, creating purchase order requisitions.


• Receipt and correct storage of consumables and chemical reagents.


• Ensure that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems.


• Reporting any problems with equipment or services which cannot be resolved to the line manager as appropriate.


• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures where practicable.


• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.


• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder.
  
  NVQ, BTEC/ONC at level three or equivalent level three qualification and specific relevant experience in an appropriate subject.


• GCSE level 2 (A- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.


• Practical experience of relevant histology and a working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice.


• Experience of working in a laboratory-based teaching or research environment; or be able to demonstrate the capability to participate in research projects.


• Ability to organise and manage own workload after consultation with manager.


• Familiarity with the use of a wide range of general laboratory equipment e.g. balances, pH meters, autoclaves, pipettes, microscopes.


• Proactive approach to Health and Safety matters, together with the communication skills to interact with a range of people, including students.


• Ability to be flexible to meet deadlines.


• The post holder will be fully familiar with the safe handling and storage of laboratory materials.


• Good IT skills, having a familiarity with both Windows and/or Apple Macintosh OS will be advantageous.


• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.


• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.


Dimensions

You will have no direct line management responsibility (other than occasional instructions to other staff) and no budget to manage.

Planning and Organising

You will be able to schedule and organise your own work within the priorities and requirements for the area.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will deliver a level of service as agreed, carrying out daily research support as required. You will be expected to assist in analysis and interpretation of research results.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy . You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .