Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Grade:
Location:
Laboratory Assistant
Science South
1
1, 3 and 4 South
Job purpose
To provide support and assistance to the technicians for the duties necessary to fulfil
the departments teaching and research commitments. The post holder will also
contribute to the smooth running of the departments’ wider technical team
including the cleaning, preparation and maintenance of materials, production of
practical class materials, purchasing activities and disposal of assorted materials.
The majority of these activities will be undertaken under the guidance or direction of
other technical staff.
Source and nature of management provided
Day to day line management will be provided by our Teaching Coordinators.
Additional management and direction will be provided by the South Technical
Manager and Faculty Technical Manager as and when appropriate.
Staff management responsibility
None.
Special conditions





Preparation, maintenance and cleaning of laboratory kit.
Glove wearing – marigold type safety gloves or similar light weight versions worn
quite frequently.
Autoclave duties (working in warm/ humid conditions).
Manual handling: Moving heavy or awkward items such as full liquid nitrogen
containers and gas cylinders.
Flexible working on occasion, i.e. early starts or late finishes.
All necessary additional training will be provided.
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Main duties and responsibilities
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Collect, wash and return laboratory glassware.
Washing done by machine or by hand as appropriate.
Assist in the preparation of agar plates, bulk materials and other supplies for
practical classes and other uses. Including organisms for class practicals and
other uses.
Preparation of class service trays for lab practicals.
Lay out materials and equipment for classes.
Collect, clean and dispose of as appropriate afterwards.
Assist in the compilation and preparation of under-graduate practical work
books and sheets
Checking, cleaning & replenishing and re-labelling stock items as appropriate.
General lab activities to include cleaning bench tops, cupboards and shelves,
and hand sinks.
Checking and replenishing supplies at laboratory hand sinks such as soap and
paper tissues.
Cleaning and basic maintenance of lab equipment, such as, Gilson pipettes and
pH meters.
Participate in the use of autoclaves to sterilise lab goods or waste. Collect
waste from research/ teaching laboratories and research facilities.
Topping up liquid nitrogen containers in and around departments
Lab coat distribution and collection.
Distribution of goods from stores.
Assist with lab moves, equipment set-up and equipment removal.
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.
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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
Working in a team and working individually.
X
X
X
Experience working in a science area such as
Chemistry, Biology or Biochemistry
X
X
X
X
X
Experience/Knowledge.
Skills
Attention to detail
Able to read and correctly interpret
instructions
X
X
X
Ability to understand verbal instruction
X
X
X
Ability to prioritise.
X
X
X
Ability to use a computer
X
X
X
Works well under pressure
X
X
X
Patient
X
X
X
Conscientious
X
X
X
Good time management skills
X
X
X
Attributes
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
Human Resources
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06/02/2016
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