Last updated: December 2015
Post title: Research Technician in Translational Immunology
Academic Unit/Service:
Faculty:
Career Pathway:
*ERE category:
Posts responsible to:
Cancer Sciences
Medicine
Technical and Experimental
N/A
Chair in Experimental Cancer Medicine
Level: 3
Posts responsible for:
Post base:
Job purpose
None
Laboratory and office based (see job hazard analysis)
To primarily provide technical support to the clinical trials team involving the process of human samples obtained from patients as part of clinical trials. The successful candidate will be trained within a framework of
GCP and have a high appreciation for health and safety and Standard Operating Procedure.
To secondary support research and development work in accordance with a specified project supported by
Cancer Research UK and under the direction of the Postdoctoral Research Fellow and the Principal
Investigators.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities % Time
1.
To plan and ensure the processing and collection of human samples post-surgery from patients undergoing clinical trial. To carry out sample processing according to the high level of training you will receive and strict SOP. Maintenance of the stringent health and safety protocols associated with working with human tumour and blood samples.
50
2.
To carry out a range of laboratory techniques, analysing and evaluating the results using specified methodologies, and contributing to the interpretation of results, and highlighting to the postdoctoral research fellow when the development of new techniques or methodologies are required
20
3.
To ensure accurate completion of all documentation, reports and records.
4.
To maintain adequate stocks of supplies, advise on the pricing and purchasing of equipment or consumables with good cost-effectiveness.
10
5

Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
5.
To train students, junior colleagues and new researchers in techniques and the safe and effective use of equipment, and communicating and liaising with all internal and external users of technical service.
6.
To ensure equipment in the work environment is maintained in accordance with technical and health and safety procedures, diagnosing faults and repairing apparatus as and when it is necessary.
3
% Time
5
7.
To maintain compliance with health and safety processes within work environment.
8.
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post holder.
Internal and external relationships
2
5
Good working relationship with the Research Fellow and Principal investigator of the team in the Cancer
Sciences Unit and WISH lab
Develop and maintain close working relationships with the QA manager, to ensure compliance with the legal and contractual framework of working with patients samples.
Special Requirements
Some flexibility required with working hours.
A GCP trained individual will be advantageous and required is the willingness to become trained to a GCP standard if appointed
Research Technician JD

Criteria Essential Desirable
How to be assessed
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Skill level equivalent to achievement of HNC, A-Level, NVQ3 with proven work experience acquired in relevant roles and job-related training
Relevant Degree or equivalent qualification or experience in Cancer cell biology or immunology.
Previous experience of working with biological samples
Experience with the following lab techniques: protein purification, Cell sorting, CD8 T cell culture
All to be assessed from CV and/or
Interview
Experience with the following lab techniques: aseptic tissue culture, molecular biology, immunological assays (ELISPOT ELISA). Proven experience using a Flow Cytometer
A willingness to become trained to a
GCP standard
Previous experience working with in vivo models
Holder of Home Office personal license (would be advantageous)
GCP trained
Planning and organising
Management and teamwork
Able to plan and prioritise a range of one’s own, and the team’s, standard and non-standard work activities
Communicating or predicting the future requirement of the lab, in terms of busy periods or stock of reagents
Ability to juggle one’s own workload and to communicate any issues or questions directly to the line manager
Problem solving and initiative
Experience of contributing innovative ideas in order to solve technical problems
Experience of using judgement to find solutions to problems for which no standard procedure exist
CV and/or
Interview
CV and/or
Interview
Experience of providing training/coaching to colleagues and students in relation to technical tasks
A good attitude and clarity about changing work load or task priorities and being flexible to the ongoing demand of Clinical Trials work.
Able to solicit ideas and opinions to help form specific work plans
Able to positively influence the way a team works together
CV and/or
Interview
Communicating and influencing
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Able to present at group meetings contributing specialist knowledge to achieve outcomes
Able to elicit information according to specific audiences
Able to offer proactive advice and guidance on technical processes and procedures
Able to communicate and liaise with users of the technical services, both internal and external to the department
Experience of demonstration skills
CV and/or
Interview
Research Technician JD

Other skills and behaviours
Computer literacy
Positive attitude to colleagues and students
Understanding of Health and Safety issues
Proven previous experience using statistical packages
Special requirements
Flexible working hours
Able to occasionally work out of hours as and when required
Flexibility with working with tissues which may originate from murine models or humans
Willingness to undertake Health and
Safety training and vaccinations specific to the role.
CV and/or
Interview
CV and/or
Interview
Research Technician JD

Is this an office-based post?
☐ Yes If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☒ No If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of
VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Outside work
Occasionally
(<30% of time)
N/A
Frequently
(30-60% of time)
Constantly
(> 60% of time)
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids

## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:
N/A


Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation n/a


EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods

N/A
N/A
N/A
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)

Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
N/A
Gross motor grips

Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height


 Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working


## Shift work/night work/on call duties N/A
Research Technician JD