Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Grade:
Location:
Assistant Technician (Biology)
Science South
Grade 4
1, 3 and 4 South
Job purpose
The teaching team support the departments teaching and research commitments.
This post-holder will predominantly provide skilled technical support and assistance
to the G5 Teaching Support Technicians who are responsible for Cellular Biology,
Biochemistry, Plant/ Organism Biology and Biomedical Sciences respectively.
As such, the person will be working in a diverse range of subject areas. Good time
management, the ability to balance workload/ prioritise and excellent
communication are essential.
Source and nature of management provided
Day to Day line management will be provided by the Teaching Co-ordinator.
Additional managements and direction will be provided by the Technical Manager
and Faculty Technical Manager as and when appropriate.
Staff management responsibility
None.
Special conditions







Working with cell lines and organisms.
Working with cancer cell lines.
Working with chemicals.
Glove wearing – Marigold type safety gloves or similar light weight versions worn
quite frequently.
Working with cryogens.
Flexible working on occasion, i.e. early starts or late finishes.
Manual handling.
All necessary additional training will be provided.
Page 1
Main duties and responsibilities
1
Support G5 Teaching Support Technicians who are responsible for Cellular
Biology, Biochemistry, Plant/ Organism Biology and BMS laboratory practicals
respectively.
2
Support all aspects of cell line maintenance (HeLas/ Cos-7/ Na-2/ C6).
3
Prepare a wide range of culture media including agar plates and complex liquid
media.
4
Prepare and maintain microbial plate cultures and maintain microbial stock
cultures.
5
6
Work with antimicrobial solutions and liquid media.
Work with genetically modified organisms ensuring that strict procedures are
followed at all times.
Accurately calculate the components and prepare (complex) chemical stock
solutions and perform serial dilutions, titrations and reactions.
7
8
Support academic staff in the delivery of practical classes. Communicate any
issues to the relevant parties. Support demonstrators and students and problem
solve when any issues arise.
9
Assist in the compilation and preparation of under-graduate practical work
books and sheets. Ensure any changes to experimental procedures throughout
the academic year are recorded and communicate and updated.
10 Maintain lab equipment and problem solve/ trouble shoot on any issues arising.
11 Responsible for prioritising G1 Lab assistants duties and providing training for
basic laboratory skills. Supervising when necessary.
12 Responsible for H&S including ensuring G1 staff comply.
Assist in similar activities to the above for summer schools and other short courses.
The majority of the duties described above will take place in and around the
research facilities spread across the Departments and buildings of 1, 3, & 4S.
The various duties mentioned above are not in any particular order. The actual duties
and quantity of activities can vary considerably.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature
as reasonably required by your line manager.
Page 2
Page 3
Appendix B
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
Qualifications
An interest in Science with a good basic
secondary level education.
X
X
Biology, Chemistry or similar science
GCSEs or A Levels
X
X
A degree in a biological science.
X
X
Experience/Knowledge.
Working as part of a team.
X
X
X
Experience in a technical role.
X
X
X
Experience in a teaching setting.
X
X
X
X
X
Experience working in a biological
science area.
X
Experience of dealing with a constantly
changing work environment.
X
X
X
Aseptic Technique
X
X
X
Cell Culture
X
X
X
Skills
Attention to detail
X
X
X
Able to read and correctly interpret
instructions
X
X
X
Human Resources
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12/02/2016
R
Appendix B
Ability to understand verbal instruction
X
X
X
Ability to prioritise.
X
X
X
Attributes
Works well under pressure
X
X
X
Conscientious
X
X
X
Good time management skills
X
X
X
Enthusiastic
X
X
X
Diplomatic
X
X
X
Positive
X
X
X
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
Human Resources
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12/02/2016