THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Technician
School/Department:
School of Life Sciences
Salary:
£17,039 - £20,198 per annum (pro rata), depending on skills and
experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to
performance
Job Family and Level: Technical Services Level 2
Contract Status:
Permanent
Hours of Work:
Part time (20 hours per week)
Location:
Queens Medical Centre
Reporting to:
Technical Manager/Marios Georgiou/Andrew Renault
Purpose of the New Role:
To deliver high quality technical support within the School of Life Sciences. The role holder will
provide a range of technical support activities for two research groups working with
Drosophila. These include fly husbandry, general laboratory duties and support for research by
carrying out routine experimental procedures and assisting in interpretation of results.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Main Responsibilities
% time
per year
To be responsible for the routine maintenance of two extensive fly research
collections under the supervision of senior colleagues. Many of these lines are
unique so great care and attention to detail is required. To support the
provision of materials for fly husbandry and ensure the needs of the research
labs are met by organising the activities of the TS1 technician and covering for
absence of this technician. This will include troubleshooting any issues with
media or fly husbandry.
To participate in routine Drosophila genetic and imaging experiments and
contribute to research project meetings.
To support researchers, students and other technicians within the laboratory.
This may include providing guidance and support to junior colleagues/students
through on the job training/coaching in own area in the use of equipment and
techniques.
To monitor and maintain stock levels of basic equipment and supplies ensuring
that equipment, consumables and work areas are ready for use when required.
To ensure compliance with relevant health and safety regulations in the
laboratory areas including COSHH and risk assessments.
To carry out other technical support activities as directed by the role holder’s
line managers/technical manager.
55%
15%
10%
10%
5%
5%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
 A minimum of 2 A levels in relevant
Education
subjects or equivalent vocational
qualifications and experience
Skills/Training
 Ability to work accurately in order to
maintain high standards, with the
ability to work effectively under
pressure
 Enthusiastic and willing to learn new
methods and techniques
 Ability to adopt a methodical
approach to work in order to achieve
work deadlines
 A comprehensive understanding of
health and safety
 Excellent written and oral
communication skills, including ability
to communicate information with
clarity
 Ability to lift and move objects as this
role will involve storing and moving
consumables and equipment
 Competent in operating general
laboratory equipment
 Ability to use own initiative to resolve
problems or refer more complex
problems to senior colleagues
 Flexible attitude to respond to
changing needs within the research
groups
Experience
 Work experience in a laboratory
environment
Desirable
 A degree in a biological subject
 Knowledge of Drosophila
husbandry
 Knowledge of Drosophila
genetics
 Previous work experience as a
technician or research assistant
 Evidence of theoretical and/or
practical experience in cell
biology and/or developmental
biology
Decision Making
i)
taken independently by the role holder
 Prioritise work schedule and time management
 Day to day operation and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment
 Maintaining stock levels of consumables
 Carrying out safety audits/risk assessments and COSHH assessments in own area
ii)




taken in collaboration with others
Planning and execution of research experiments
Ordering of external consumables and other resources
Method development and complex problem solving
Complex safety issues and non compliance
iii) referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder
 Major safety issues
 Co-ordination and prioritisation of work to suit multiple research groups
 Financial issues
 Staff issues that may affect performance of team
 Organisation of annual leave
Additional Information
This role is an essential part of the team in the School of Life Sciences. The role holder will
develop a specific high level of skills to support the research effort by maintaining and working
with very important Drosophila research strain collections.