JOB SUMMARY FORM
Job Title:
Research Technician
Department:
Post Responsible To:
(Please attach an organisational chart)
n.b. This post is in the Technical and Experimental job family. There are no grade 5 posts in the
Teaching and Research job family.
Job Purpose:
To carry out laboratory scientific research under supervision
Principal Accountabilities (Responsibilities):
% Time
Carefully carry out a range of complicated and specialised laboratory research
experiments: involving techniques specific to research area, within agreed protocols and
parameters.
80
Collect experimental results accurately for presentation to and discussion with the
supervisor and ultimately help to prepare the data (with guidance from the supervisor) for
publication.
10
The post-holder will prioritise their work to ensure that work is completed to an agreed
timetable, in discussion with supervisor.
10
Provide analysis and interpretation of results obtained from laboratory experiments for
discussion with supervisor and subsequent publication in scientific journals.
Some knowledge of computer software for data analysis and production of graphs, such as
Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint.
Occasional limited liaison with collaborators, such as telephone calls to discuss results or
techniques etc.
To help optimise laboratory techniques suggested by the supervisor, with guidance.
To carefully and accurately handle expensive highly purified laboratory reagents
(chemicals, antibodies etc) after appropriate training by the supervisor.
Resources Managed / Facts and Figures:
Daily use of expensive equipment.
Internal and External Relationships:
Relationships will be 80% with the direct line manager and lab members, 15% with the co-supervisor,
and 5% with external collaborators (the latter will be at a very basic level, i.e. occasional phone call or
email to co-ordinate postage of reagents etc)
May 2007
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Planning and Organising:
Some ability to plan own experiments and organise time effectively, with guidance
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience (Indicate which are essential and which are desirable):
Minimum Requirements for Technical and Experimental Family Level 5:
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Technical or scientific education to ONC or NVQ3 level.
Prior technical work experience, typically of 2 – 3 years.
Additional Requirements for Job:
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Degree in relevant science – highly desirable *
Previous lab experience (3 years or more) – essential *
Knowledge and experience of cell culture and molecular biology – essential *
A higher qualification such as an MSc - desirable *
Experience of Immunological research – desirable *
(*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview)
Skills, Abilities and Competencies (Indicate which are essential and which are desirable):
Minimum Requirements for Technical and Experimental Family Level 5:
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
Proficient user of specialist software packages.
Well developed understanding of Health and Safety regulations and procedures.
Additional Requirements for Job:
(*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview)
Additional Information:
Signatures:
Job Holder*: ………………………………….……………………..
Date: ……………………………
Line Manager: ………………………………….……………………..
Date: ……………………………
* Only for instances when a job is being changed in consultation with the existing post holder.
May 2007
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