Job Purpose

To provide technical assistance, maintenance, and laboratory support to academic and student service users. Work under guidance of a senior technical supervisor and follow established procedures to support the smooth running of Life Sciences teaching laboratories and related teaching activities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide technical support to academic and student service users across Life Science disciplines. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

2. Carry out a range of technical support activities. Follow established standard operating procedures; implement technical solutions to a range of basic practical problems as directed by senior technical staff.

3. Keep clear and accurate records and, where relevant, produce concise written summaries of results for senior colleagues.

4. Contribute to the safe and well-organised functioning of the facility, including routine housekeeping and maintenance of equipment and the laboratory, to comply with safe working practices. Identify faults/problems and report upwards. Ensure that consumables and equipment are appropriately stocked and maintained. Prepare and dispense standard reagents and materials as required.

5. Provide assistance to service users in the basic layout and operation of the lab, including access to equipment and reagents.

6. Keep up-to-date with advances in Life Sciences and seek to apply this knowledge to technical activities.

7. Other relevant duties as required by the line manager.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1.  Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework [SCQF] Level 5 or 6 [National 5 or Highers, or Scottish Vocational Qualification] or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, English, Maths.

Desirable

B1.  Experience of personal development in a similar role.

B2.  HNC/HND in relevant discipline is desirable.

B3.  Detailed technical knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, protocols, processes and procedures.

B4.  Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation/policies

Skills

Essential

C1.  Demonstrable technical skills aligned to Life Sciences.

C2.  Good IT skills for standard software programmes e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Zoom and ability to train in laboratory specific software.

C3.  Good interpersonal and written communication skills with ability to work effectively with others, including own team and lab users.

C4.  Ability to follow instructions from senior technical colleagues.

C5.  Ability to plan and prioritise workload to meet competing demands of service users.

C6.  Ability to work independently, including the ability to use initiative and judgement to identify problems.

C7.  Accuracy and attention to detail.

C8.  Good manual dexterity skills.

Experience

Essential

E1.  Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of service users

Desirable

F1.  Experience and/or training in manual handling.

F2.  Demonstrable work experience in a similar technical role, with similar responsibilities.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 3, £23,028 - £23,881 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

Closing date: 23:45 on Monday 14th April 2025