Lab Manager

Posted 23 April 2025
Salary Grade 7, 40,497 - £45,413 Per Annum
End date 14 May 2025
LocationGlasgow
Job Type Technical And Specialist
Reference170711
Expiry 14 May 2025

Job description

We are seeking to appoint an experienced Laboratory Manager to work within the research area of molecular and cellular infection biology at the School of Infection and Immunity under the supervision of Professor Rick Maizels [Principal Investigator]. The position is funded by the Wellcome Trust as part of an international collaborative award with partners in UK, Netherlands and USA.

The post will focus on the role of helminth parasite-derived cytokine mimics and requires extensive knowledge and practical experience in molecular biology, cell culture, animal studies and analysis of proteins at the molecular level, as well as accomplished organisational skills.  Further details of the Maizels Laboratory can be found at maizelslab.org.

 

Job Purpose

To provide comprehensive management and senior technical leadership to laboratory users, including PIs, researchers, post-graduate and undergraduate students. To provide specialist technical expertise and be responsible for upkeep and delivery of specialist technical resources including production of parasites; and to contribute to ongoing research projects to optimise research output.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Be responsible for all managerial aspects of the laboratory including contributing to the strategic direction of research, provision of specialist advice and training to laboratory members, management of resources and responsibility for health and safety.

2. Undertake specialist technical aspects of the specified research including taking a leading role in the planning and conduct of research objectives in accordance with the research strategy.  Take overall responsibility for parasite life cycle maintenance in the laboratory and in the animal unit.

3. Take a leading role in identifying and developing research/experimental methods in techniques such as parasite life cycles, protein production and purification, cell culture and molecular analysis and developing new and bespoke approaches to optimise research outputs.

4. Liaising with international collaborators, including organisation of online and in-person meetings, maintaining databases and online networking,  and shipping materials and documentation to partners.

5. Using detailed specialist knowledge, advise and train laboratory members in all technical aspects of the research. Where required, undertake supervision of undergraduate and/or post-graduate students to ensure learning outcomes are optimised.

6. Maintain online animal TickLab and Home Office records and internal University forms related to use of animals, and ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy, and best practice.

7. Manage all aspects of the laboratory operations including financial management, resource allocation, grant monitoring, tendering, purchases, ordering, and financial projections on research grants. Create, implement and regularly review Standard Operating Procedures for laboratory members, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy, and best practice.

8. Develop and enhance the research profile and reputation of the University/College/School/ Group, through contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/high quality journals, contribution to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, and maximising the research impact in terms of the economic/societal benefit.

9. Keep up to date with developments in relevant research/technical areas and within the broader discipline to ensure contribution to research goals is optimised. Utilise specialist knowledge to contribute to overall research strategy.

10. Document experimental outputs including analysis and interpretation of all data to publication standard. Maintain complex and/or high-volume databases and records, creating technical/progress reports and papers.

11. Undertake complex data analysis, identifying trends, problems, or anomalies, and present findings clearly to research group including proposals for action/mitigation and future action.

12. Troubleshoot complex technical problems, including issues with the design and operation of technical resources and/or with the data which is generated.

13. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.

14. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University.

15. Contribute to the outreach and recruitment activities of the University/College/School.

16. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.

17. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

 

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential / desirable criteriaIf you do not address each criterion intheformatexplained aboveyou will not be shortlisted for interview.

 

Knowledge/Qualifications

 

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9  in Immunology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Virology or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role[s]

A2. Knowledge of mouse models of infection and immunity, including techniques for experimental intervention and evaluation of in vivo responses.

A3. A Home Office Personal Licence for work

A4. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge in one or more of Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology or Parasitology.

 

Skills

 

Essential:

C1. Excellent skills in a range of molecular techniques such as cloning, nucleic acid manipulation, recombinant protein expression, protein purification and analysis.

C2. Skills in tissue culture of a variety of cell types.

C3. Sufficient organisational skills in laboratory administration, with experience of budget management, procurement and financial reporting.

C4. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packages.

C5. Excellent teamworking and people management skills with evidence of leadership qualities.

C6. Significant analytical and problem solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex and/or high volume datasets.

 

Desirable:

D1. Skills in array or RNA sequencing analysis.

D2. Skills with bioinformatic analyses.

D3. Familiarity with protein modification and labelling techniques.

D4. Familiarity with use of antibodies in molecular assays

 

Experience

 

Essential:

E1. Sufficient depth of relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.

E2. Experience with animal models of immunity and infection.

E3. Experience with molecular techniques such as cloning, recombinant protein expression, protein purification and analysis.

E4. Experience in preparing analysis and presentation of data in a timely and efficient manner.

E5. Experience of budget management, including approving spends, negotiating purchases and monitoring outgoings.

E6. Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales.

 

Further Information

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Maizels via email rick.maizels@glasgow.ac.uk

 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

 

This post is full time and Open Ended with funding up until 01 February 2030.

 

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

 

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

 

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

 

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

 

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

 

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

 

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-workingfor more information.

 

Closing date: 23:45 on Wednesday 14th May 2025