Appendix B
Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Grade:
Location:
Research Technician
Biology & Biochemistry
6
3W/4W
Job purpose
The technician will support all aspects of a project supported by a research grant
funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to
study the genetics of complex quantitative traits in mice. The technician will be required
to work independently and oversee several different technical components requiring
different skill sets. The technician will be responsible for all aspects of the production
of the experimental populations and will contribute to the measurement of a series of
quantitative traits, the preparation of genomic DNA samples and the processing of data
sets.
Source and nature of management provided
Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator (CI) will provide direct guidance as
needed, with opportunities to work independently.
Staff management responsibility
No direct management responsibilities, but the technician will have the
opportunity to contribute to the supervision of project students.
Special conditions
Some components of the project require f lexible working with occasional early
starts and late finishes. The technician will handle small mammals and will need to
administer anaesthesia for some non-invasive procedures. The technician will require
a license from the Home Office (appropriate training will be provided).
Main duties and responsibilities
Provide research support for all aspects of the research project, including:
1
Maintain an experimental population of mice
The technician will implement a multi-generation experimental pedigree,
which includes setting up breeding pairs and the cross-fostering of offspring
between nests. The technician will assist the technical team in the feeding of
animals and the cleaning of animal housing.
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Appendix B
The technician will also be required to mark individual animals using a microtattoo system.
2
Perform large scale phenotyping of mice during development
The technician will weight all experimental animals at set intervals using a
balance and computer system. The technician will also periodically
anaesthetize animals and scan them in a DXA system. The technician will
also contribute to the measurement of other traits using video analysis.
3
Preparation of tissue samples for analysis
The technician will prepare experimental animals for transfer to collaborating
labs where they will be scanned by microCT. The technician will also
perform post-mortem necropsies to measure the weights of key body
components, and to derive tissue for genomic analysis.
4
Preparation of DNA samples for genomic analysis
The technician will be responsible for the extraction, quality control and
quantification of genomic DNA form tissue samples.
5
Processing and archiving of data files
The technician will be responsible for the management, entry, quality control
and basic manipulation of phenotypic and genomic data sets.
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature
as reasonably required by your line manager.
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
Qualifications;
University degree in relevant biological
discipline
X
X
X
X
X
Relevant technical/scientific role or
work experience in a relevant technical
role
Experience/Knowledge
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R
Appendix B
Knowledge of basic molecular biology
X
Familiarity with mouse biology
X
X
X
X
X
Knowledge of health and safety practices
in laboratories
X
X
X
Extensive knowledge of technical issues
in laboratory-based science
X
X
X
Good written and verbal skills
X
X
Competent IT skills
X
X
X
Skills.
Mouse husbandry
X
Basic molecular biology
X
X
X
Ability to organise own workload
X
X
X
Able to communicate coherently and
competently with all levels of personnel
X
X
X
Able to use time effectively
X
X
X
Able to work effectively and flexible
X
X
Ability to manage competing deadlines
X
X
Ability to be a team player, with effective
management skills
X
X
Attributes
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
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