Technician, Medical and Dental Sciences

Job Purpose

The post-holder will support a prestigious MRC-funded translational project which aims at targeting a B cell population we have recently identified as a clinical target in autoimmune diseases. The role of the technician will be to process clinical samples, maintain cell cultures, run in vitro cell survival assays and look after general laboratory maintenance. Furthermore, the post holder will run basic molecular biology experiments such as plasmid isolation and cell transfection. The post-holder will also support murine model experiments as part of the final milestone of this project.

The post holder will work closely with clinical and non-clinical members of the Rheumatology Research Group, and will be responsible for the laboratory based work as part of this study under the supervision of Dr Dagmar Scheel-Toellner and Dr Elizabeth Clay. We are looking for an individual, who can demonstrate commitment to a career supporting research and has a strong work ethic.

Person Specification

• • NVQ, BTEC/ONC or equivalent; or specific relevant experience in an appropriate subject.
• • GCSE (A*- C) or equivalent in mathematics
• • Previous laboratory experience.
• • Experience in handling of biological samples.
• • Basic training in work with animal models
• • Experience of cell culture and cell culture based assays.
• • Excellent organisational skills
• • Good communication skills
• • Understanding of IT systems, particularly databases and basic statistical analysis.
• • Ability to learn techniques quickly and work accurately
• • Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others
• • Ability to organise and manage own work load after consultation with supervisor and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements
• • Ability to work as part of a team but to perform under minimum supervision
• • Awareness of current relevant H&S policies
• • Proficiency in commonly used software packages