JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
Laboratory Manager (Maternity Cover)
Division:
National Heart & Lung Institute
Section:
Respiratory Infection and Airway Disease Infection
Job Family and Level:
Technical Services, Level 3b
Salary Range:
£32,930 - £40,720 per annum
Responsible to:
Head of Section, Respiratory Infections and Head of Section,
Airway Disease Infection
Responsible for:
Research Technicians and Assistant Laboratory Manager
Works closely with:
Respiratory Infection and Airway Disease Infection Sections,
Administrator
Working Relationships: All academic, research, clinical, technical and administrative staff
within the Respiratory Infection section, interaction with the
College’s preferred suppliers and other company representatives,
Laboratory maintenance engineers and technicians, National
Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) Administration, Research
Services, NHLI/Imperial College Health & Safety Officers
Location:
St Mary’s Campus
Duration:
Full time till mid December 2013
Research Programme
Respiratory Infection Section
The Respiratory Infections Section, led by Professor Peter Openshaw, focuses research
on host responses to viral respiratory infections and tuberculosis. Prof Openshaw is also
the Director of the Centre for Respiratory Infection at the National Heart and Lung
Institute.
For further information, please see:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/people/p.openshaw.html
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/nhli/respiration/respinfect
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/cri
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/about/divisions/nhli/respiration/respinfect/flow/
Airway Disease Infection section
Airway Disease Infection section is led by Professor Sebastian Johnston. His section
works on mechanisms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and
the role of respiratory viral infections in these diseases, with a particular interest in acute
exacerbations and the role of rhinovirus infections. For further information visit the
following web page:
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/nhli/respiratory/airway_disease_infection/
The Purpose of the Post
The post involves managing research laboratories and laboratory services to support the
Head of Section, Principal Investigators and all other staff and students in Respiratory
Infections and Airway Disease Infection Section in their research duties. You will provide
expertise, advice and support to multiple research programmes within the Section of
Respiratory Infections and Section of Airway Disease Infection. You will also be responsible
for the management of Health and Safety within both Respiratory Infections and Airway
Disease Infection Section.
This post involves managing laboratories and laboratory services to support the Head of
Section, Principal Investigators and all other staff and students in Respiratory Infections
Section in their research duties. You will provide expertise, advice and support to multiple
research programmes within the Section of Respiratory Infections and be responsible for the
management of Health and Safety (as per Imperial College policy, guidance and rules) within
Respiratory Infection Section.
Overall Duties and Responsibilities
You will have management responsibility for day-to-day co-ordination and supervision of the
laboratory facilities, including ordering, maintenance of equipment, and management and
supervision of technical staff. You will keep all communal equipment and facilities in good
running order and liaise with the Estates Department, manufacturers, contractors and other
bodies where necessary. You will be responsible for the supervision of the Department’s
central supply of consumables.
You will support the Head of Section and Principal Investigators in the management of their
health and safety responsibilities involving in operating Cat 2 and Cat 3 laboratories (as per
Imperial College policy, guidance and rules), ensuring that all work done in the laboratories
complies with the applicable regulations concerning all biohazards, including human tissue
and animal tissue, and specifically comply with requirements goverened by Imperial College
London General Health and Safety, Genetically Modified Micro-organism Safety, and
Radiation Safety. You will maintain all documentation relevant to the above, including
documentation to the Home Office and other requirements. You will undertake these Health
and Safety duties in all laboratories within the Section and in associated facilities (to include
the recently established Imperial Clinical Respiratory Research Unit Laboratory located in the
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary’s.
The above includes the following specific responsibilies:
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Attend the Campus Health and Safety Committee Meetings on behalf of the
Respiratory Infections Section
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Support the Head of Section in the discharge of his or her health and safety
responsibilities and ensuring that safe working practices are in place throughout
the department
Produce local rules, SOPs and monitor compliance with Imperial College Policy
Conduct health and safety induction training and co-ordinate health and safety
training within the Section, including the provision of appropriate information for
staff, students, visiting academics and workers and contractors
Assist the Divisional Safety Officer (DSO) to carry out safety inspections and
audits and to monitor safety performance within the Section
Liaise with the DSO or the Safety Department as necessary
Assist Principal investigators with their duty to carry out risk assessments for their
work
Ensure safety records are accurate and well maintained, including those for
radiation protection, genetic modification and COSHH
Key Responsibilities
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Coordinate and oversee laboratory running costs and be responsible for the
efficient use of equipment. Explore new avenues involving the reduction of
current running costs, including liaison with sales representatives and negotiation
of pricing of consumables etc
Coordinate the purchase and invoicing of laboratory equipment and supplies and
liaise with administrative and research staff regarding the replacement or
improvement of existing equipment
Regularly update the Head of Section and Principal Investigators on relevant
practical and financial aspects of laboratory activities. Advise on the non staff
expenditure from the various grants held within the Section and keep grant
holders updated on their expenditure. Maintain appropriate financial records so
that the Section can operate effectively
Line manage and supervise laboratory technicians and be responsible for their
training, acquisition of multiple laboratory skills and their career development, also
ensuring that their work is carried out and performed to Good Laboratory Practice
GLP standards
Sit on interview panels for technical staff
Create and implement work rotas
Pro-actively oversee on a daily basis all aspects of laboratory work, cleanliness
and waste disposal to ensure the working environment is optimal for efficient and
safe working
Be responsible for out of hours contact and response in case of serious essential
equipment failure (eg -80 freezer storage of critical samples)
Teach methodologies to post-graduate students, update section database of
methods and standard procedures, including safety documentation
Be responsible for all consumable, chemical and equipment purchases, maintain
asset register and section database of freezer and liquid nitrogen
Record and maintain data and information, as relevant and appropriate
Create own work schedule from a broad work programme of objectives prioritised
by the Head of Section
Familiarise self with new areas of research and research techniques
Design and support systems for new research techniques
Adapt to new responsibilities that may arise such as redesigning laboratory space
Tender for quotations for specialist equipment
Be responsible for ensuring the maintenance of general facilities such as air
conditioning, pumped water, heating, lighting etc. interacting with Imperial College
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and NHS Trust maintenance and campus buildings management staff, as
appropriate
Advise the Head of Section and PI’s on Risk Assessments for Respiratory
Infections Section
Undertake any other duties which may arise commensurate with the grade of the
post as directed by the Head of Section
To observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the
key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data
Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations, Health and Safety,
Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors),
Information Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and
Smoking.
To undertake specific safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set
out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities
page
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out
in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
 First degree in life sciences or related field, or equivalent vocational qualification,
or equivalent experience in laboratory management
Desirable

NEBOSH certification
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential
 Proven experience in successfully managing staff
 Relevant research experience in biological science
 Experience in a research laboratory
 Experience of immunology, virology and molecular biology
 Proven experience in laboratory management
 Detailed knowledge of relevant laboratory procedures (cell culture, tissue typing,
Immunochemistry, Elisa, Elispot, Functional antibodies, Molecular techniques,
Protein assays, PCR and High Throughput Real-time PCR etc).
 Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations and procedures
 Practical IT experience i.e. knowledge of laboratory computer information systems
and common software packages (Word, Excel and Powerpoint)
 Experience in supervising laboratory staff, including training and regulatory
compliance
 Knowledge and experience of Internet-based ordering and invoicing system
Desirable
 Previous experience in flow cytometry
Skills and Abilities
Essential
 Excellent laboratory safety skills with the ability to comply with Imperial procedures
 Excellent knowledge of research governance
 Ability to conceive, initiate and carry out research techniques and assays, agreed
by and under the direction of the Head of Section and in collaboration with
clinicians and colleagues in/outside of the section
 Excellent organisational skills
 Excellent attention to detail
 Excellent interpersonal, supervisory and training skills
 Excellent written and oral communication skills
 Excellent teaching skills regarding laboratory procedures and research
governance
 Proven skills at problem solving and overcoming obstacles
 Ability to use own initiative and work independently and as part of a team, as
required
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Ability to present research and development findings at local, regional and
national meetings and to contribute to the preparation of results for publication
Proven ability to prioritise, plan ahead and manage a high volume of work to meet
deadlines, both prescribed and self-imposed, and ensure that the laboratory runs
in an efficient and timely manner
Ability and willingness to adapt to changing timetables or work patterns as
dictated by changing circumstances
Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a high degree of accuracy
Other Requirements
Essential
 An open, flexible and positive approach to working in a constantly changing
environment
 Willingness to work unsociable hours as work demands from time to time