Appendix B
Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Grade:
Location:
Teaching and Research Support technician
(biochemistry)
Science South
5 (1.0 FTE)
Science South Buildings
Job purpose
Assist in the smooth and efficient running of laboratory practical classes and
participating in the support of Open Days, Widening Participation, CPD courses and
Open University summer schools in the Dept of Biology & Biochemistry and elsewhere.
The role also includes promotion, monitoring and compliance with health and safety
matters.
Assist in the organisation, maintenance, preparation and support of teaching and
research in Biology and Biochemistry at undergraduate and postgraduate research
student levels.
Source and nature of management provided
Line management by the Science South teaching co-ordinator and the South
Technical Manager.
Staff management responsibility
None, although may be required to assist with supervision of other staff e.g. lab
assistants or supervision of students.
Special conditions
Flexible working with occasional early starts, late finishes.
Occasional weekend working will be required.
Working with organisms.
Main duties and responsibilities
1
Support the teaching function to ensure first class support and delivery of
undergraduate, postgraduate, widening participation and CPD programmes.
Providing technical support, including instruction of techniques for
undergraduate students, post graduate students and field courses.
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2
The technician will work as part of a team. They will engage with all activities
which take place in the science south teaching and research laboratories (e.g.,
practical classes, external short courses, outreach and CPD events). Ensure
with the appropriate members of technical and academic staff, that all activities
take place safely.
The technician will help maintain and update records, inventories, databases
and technical manuals relating to laboratory activities, quality control and safety
within the laboratories (e.g. calibration of equipment, monitoring of hazards, PAT
testing).
The technician will liaise with academic staff regarding protocols used in
practical classes, testing and developing new protocols to improve existing
practical classes.
The technician will help disseminate University or other general Health and
Safety instructions to staff and students as appropriate.
3
Maintenance and usage of equipment
The technician will assist in ensuring that equipment used in Biology &
Biochemistry teaching laboratories are maintained and in full working order. The
technician will alert the appropriate IT person to problems with computers in
these laboratories and will seek to ensure that repair work is carried out in a
timely manner.
The technician will assist in keeping up-to-date records of maintenance of
equipment (including PAT testing) to ensure checking of equipment at
appropriate time intervals for each item of equipment.
The technician will report any defective or lost equipment to their line manager
immediately.
4
Procurement of equipment and consumable materials
The technician will provide a daily check on resources and consumables in the
various laboratories and re-order as necessary.
The technician will keep copies of requisition forms in date order and available
for consultation.
The technician will liaise with the stores personal to collect items for the Biology
& Biochemistry laboratories and pursue delayed or overdue orders.
5
Search for sources of equipment and consumables
When requested, the technician will find sources of information for the supply of
new items. Details of new suppliers will be recorded and kept available for
further reference.
The technician will liaise with the stores personal and with senior technical staff
to identify sources of information on possible suppliers.
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6
Routine manual work and laboratory organisation
The technician is responsible for continuously maintaining professional
presentation of various laboratories with regards to furniture arrangement,
equipment organisation and general cleanliness (for example, transfer major
equipment back to allocated places if they are moved, keep all small items in
allocated cupboards) . As a matter of course, the laboratories should be tidied
and all unnecessary equipment stored.
The technician will check water and gas tubes regularly for correct fastening and
wear & tear and will repair or renew as necessary.
The technician will check nitrogen and other gas cylinders to be checked
regularly to ensure sufficient supply and will replace and replenish as necessary.
The technician will assist in the distribution of cryogens and fill cryogenic
vessels as appropriate.
7
Maintenance of cold room
The technician will help maintain the cold room ensuring cleanliness and
tidiness.
The technician will carry out periodic reviews of the contents of the cold room
and dispose of unwanted, out-dated materials appropriately and safely.
8
Waste-disposal activities and removals
The technician will assist in the disposal of wastes from laboratories for disposal
via the University Waste Disposal service.
The technician will help identify segregate and record hazardous items of waste
for inclusion in the twice-yearly “specials” disposal. The technician will check
daily the waste containers in the laboratories and will remove and replace as
necessary.
Instruct new PGR students and other laboratory workers on correct safe waste
storage and disposal procedures in laboratories.
Biological wastes will be transferred, where appropriate for decontamination and
disposal.
9
Records and recording information
The technician will make and keep safely adequate and suitable records of all
monitoring activities. The records will be updated in a timely manner and kept in
order and tidily. When necessary, duplicates will be made to accompany goods
for disposal.
10 Maintain and update skills by participation in appropriate and regular CPD
activities, on or off site.
The majority of the duties described above will take place in the 3 and 4 South.
However similar duties may be required to be undertaken elsewhere in Science
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Appendix B
South and the University.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as
reasonably required by your line manager and technical managers.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
X
X
Qualifications
University Degree or equivalent in a
relevant scientific discipline.
X
Relevant technical/scientific role or
work experience in a relevant technical
role
X
X
X
X
X
X
Experience/Knowledge.
Biochemistry, Molecular biology and/or
Microbiological/cell culture skills and
techniques. Laboratory experience in
industry, FE or HE.
Previous experience of supporting
multiple laboratory users.
Previous experience of maintenance of
laboratory equipment.
X
X
X
X
Knowledge of and production of CoSHH
and risk assessments.
X
X
X
Experience of delivering and/or
supporting undergraduate practicals,
open days, short courses and outreach
events.
X
X
X
X
X
X
Attributes
Good communicator
X
X
X
Highly organised
X
X
X
Works well under pressure
X
X
X
Conscientious
X
X
X
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R
Appendix B
Integrity
X
X
X
Good time management skills
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Innovative and pro-active, able to work to
own initiative and a problem solver.
Good team player.
Ability to work to tight deadlines and
skilled at prioritising.
X
X
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
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