Cell Culture Laboratory Technician

Transcription

1 School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering, in the Centre for Biological Engineering Cell Culture Laboratory Technician Job Ref: REQ16932 As part of the University s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified. About the Centre for Biological Engineering Now that the human genome, amongst others, has been sequenced and now that some of the roles of each gene have been understood many of the proteins that they encode will have to be produced in sufficient quantities for the predicted benefits in human healthcare and welfare to be realised. Additionally, within the pharmaceutical and healthcare functions there is an immediate worldwide need for the development of replacement human tissue via the regenerative medicine approach and the application of stem cells. Indeed continued improvements in the nation s health depend upon the efficient development of new generations of bioscience-based therapies and techniques. In line with Loughborough s long-term strategy to help to improve the nations quality of life the University has now created a fully integrated innovation-to-product shared 2.5m Centre for Biological Engineering (CBE) between the Department of Chemical Engineering and The Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. This initiative has built new capability and capacity in biological engineering in the UK and by maximising the amount of resource available, will enable Loughborough to compete with the best in the world. The 650m 2 facility is made-up of a suite of Class 2 laboratories for animal and human cell growth and an analytical suite to service all laboratories. In particular the facility is entered via a dedicated restricted access laboratory transfer area which will enable controlled operation for the whole area. Equipment available includes a range of new cell culture vessels, an automated cell culture platform, FACS as well as other state-of-the art imaging and analytical techniques. Additionally, open plan postgraduate/postdoctoral writing and meeting rooms are located adjacent to these laboratories. The activities within the CBE are positioned in the translational space between scientific discovery and the production of cell based/biological products, techniques and therapies. This makes us one of the major national centres for late stage, process oriented research. The CBE is also home to the Loughborough led EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Regenerative Medicine which is funding the training of >100 PhD students over >10 years. This CDT is held jointly with Keele and Nottingham Universities but is led from Loughborough. Job Description Job Grade Technical Services Grade 5 Job Purpose As part of the Centre for Biological Engineering, the post holder will provide specialist technical support to the activities of the engineering team. Whilst accountable to the CBE Senior Academic, Research Staff and Lab Management team, the post holder will provide support for all aspects of the day to day running of the Containment Level 2 laboratories. Copyright Loughborough University. All rights reserved. 1

2 Job Duties 1. Responsible for aiding the day to day running and operation of the laboratories according to local Codes of Practice including supporting all personnel working in the laboratories. 2. Being responsible for a range of biological analytical services e.g. FACS, real-time PCR, bioanalyser, phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy. This includes undertaking or organising regular maintenance of these services as well as general laboratory equipment (e.g. pipettes, incubators). 3. Being responsible for the cryostores and maintaining the associated records. 4. Helping to maintain and develop the local Quality System within the laboratories and ensuring compliance to the Quality System and other applicable regulations (e.g. HTA). 5. Provide technical support and assistance for experimental research activities when requested. 6. Training of students and other staff in the use of laboratory facilities, equipment, materials, processes and procedures ensuring good laboratory and cell culture practice and compliance with safety regulations. 7. Taking action on Health & Safety directives and ensuring compliance within the immediate area. 8. Conducting and recording COSHH Assessments within the laboratory areas. 9. Carrying out Statutory Risk Assessments within the laboratory areas. 10. Participating in laboratory and unit meetings as requested. 11. Aid in the procurement and maintenance of adequate stocks of materials, goods and services relevant to the laboratories and associated training activities. Other Related Activities 1. To provide cover and support for other colleagues at busy times and in cases of absence, by undertaking such duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with the grade and nature of the post. 2. To ensure compliance with relevant University policies and procedures. 3. To undertake any training and development deemed appropriate for the position by the School Operations Manager and the relevant line manager Points to Note The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of duties and responsibility of the post. The detailed duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character or level of responsibility entailed. Special Conditions In view of the nature of the work, the post holder will be required to receive a course of inoculations to be advised by the University s Occupational Health Department. All staff have a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff are therefore required to adhere to the University s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy & Procedures. All staff should hold a duty and commitment to observing the University s Equality & Diversity policy and procedures at all times. Duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Equality & Diversity legislation and University policies/procedures. Successful completion of probation will be dependent on attendance at the University s mandatory courses which include Respecting Diversity and, where appropriate, Recruitment and Selection. Copyright Loughborough University. All rights reserved. 2

3 Organisational Responsibility Primary Supervisor: Carolyn Kavanagh / Kulvindar Sikand Secondary Supervisor: Karen Coopman Copyright Loughborough University. All rights reserved. 3

4 Person Specification Your application will be reviewed against the essential and desirable criteria listed below. Applicants are strongly advised to explicitly state and evidence how they meet each of the essential (and desirable) criteria in their application. Stages of assessment are as follows: 1 Application 2 Test/Assessment Centre/Presentation 3 Interview Essential Criteria Area Criteria Stage Experience Proven experience of providing laboratory technical support to industrial or academic research project teams, preferably in a biological field. Practical experience of cell culture and basic characterisation techniques. Skills and abilities To work with efficiency, accuracy and good attention to detail. Good documentation skills including accurate record keeping. Knowledge of relevant safety procedures e.g. COSHH and Risk Assessments. The ability to keep to deadlines and prioritise work. Flexibility and team working. Good interpersonal skills 1,2,3 Good standard of computer literacy. 1,2,3 Training Qualifications A willingness to undertake further training as appropriate and to adopt new procedures as and when required. BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma in a biological, bioengineering, science or related subject. 1 Desirable Criteria Area Criteria Stage Experience Previous experience of working in HE, industrial or NHS laboratories. Experience in the application of Good Laboratory Practice and/or similar Quality Systems and working to defined quality standards. Knowledge of Human Tissue Act (HTA) Experience of working in a containment Level 2 environment. Skills and abilities Experience of maintaining general laboratory equipment (e.g. pipettes). Copyright Loughborough University. All rights reserved. 4

5 Experience of using and/or maintaining analytical equipment (e.g. FACS, bio-analysers, PCR) Good analytical skills. Knowledge of working to defined, relevant quality standards. Interest in tissue engineering and human stem cell culture. Qualifications Degree in a biological, bio-engineering, science or related subject. 1 Able to demonstrate continued on the job training. 1, 3 Other Willingness to travel as the job requires. 3 Conditions of Service The position is FULL TIME and FIXED TERM to cover Maternity Leave. The post will be for 1 year or the earlier return of the post holder. Salary will be on Technical Services Grade 5 23,879-28,452 per annum, at a starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment. The appointment will be subject to the University s normal Terms and Conditions of Employment for Technical staff, details of which can be found here. The University is committed to enabling staff to maintain a healthy work-home balance and has a number of family-friendly policies which are available at We also offer an on-campus nursery with subsidised places, subsidised places at local holiday clubs and a childcare voucher scheme (further details are available at: In addition, the University is supportive, wherever possible, of flexible working arrangements. We also strive to create a culture that supports equality and celebrates diversity throughout the campus. The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award which recognises the importance of support for women at all stages of their academic career. For further information on Athena SWAN see Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries should be made to Carolyn Kavanagh by at C.L.Kavanagh@lboro.ac.uk or by telephone on Applications The closing date for receipt of applications is 3 February Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed but likely to be about 8-10 working days after this date. Copyright Loughborough University. All rights reserved. 5