Job Purpose

You will play a key role in the work of the infectious diseases team within the Veterinary Diagnostic Service (VDS), a part of the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine. We are a multi-disciplinary team with technical specialists in virology, bacteriology and parasitology who support a clinical team to provide the highest quality diagnostic services to the University’s veterinary hospitals and to external veterinary practices throughout the UK and abroad.

The post holder will be primarily based in the virology service of while also providing some support to the bacteriology service. You will work across specialisms such as serology, cell culture and molecular diagnostics to provide accurate and timely diagnostic results. The infectious disease component of VDS has an active research portfolio and you will be expected to provide research support as required. The successful applicant will also be expected to undertake teaching responsibilities as required; as part of the School, we provide teaching support to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide in-depth technical expertise and support in provision of diagnostic testing for infectious diseases. Perform diagnostic experiments and use initiative and judgement to make decisions in relation to experimental protocols. Additionally, to provide any administrative support necessary for the role.

2. Provide technical expertise, advice and support in provision of teaching activities and research support, in line with the School’s strategic research and teaching goals.

3. To undertake maintenance and cleaning of laboratory equipment; to diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems relating to assays, equipment, procedures and protocols.

4. Liaise with the laboratory manager and monitor and report on technical standards and issues, and advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.

5. Work with the team to develop, test and evaluate new assays, techniques and equipment as required for future-proofing and in order to maintain our position as a leading specialist reference laboratory.

6. Collect, analyse and interpret data following standard procedures and ensure that accurate diagnostic results are reported. Keep accurate research records so that findings may be presented accurately, and update and maintain biobank databases.

7. Plan and organise day-to-day work to ensure that service levels are delivered upon and that our service to clients is of the highest standard. Exhibit effective organisation and time management to ensure deadlines are met and priorities are well managed.

8. To advise, instruct, train and provide guidance to research staff and students in the techniques and operation of equipment and apparatus as directed by the laboratory manager.

9. Support students or colleagues’ learning through the development and demonstration of equipment and techniques.

10. Contribute to the well organised functioning of the laboratory and assist the laboratory manager in maintaining stock levels and purchasing consumables and supplies, within budget, and in

consultation with other members of the team and liaise with external suppliers as required.

11. In consultation with the laboratory manager, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the laboratory area and facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the completion of risk

assessments and COSHH assessments, ensuring that all health and safety paperwork is completed in a timely manner and recorded accurately, and implementing and adhering to health and safety policies, as determined by the University and the Health and Safety Executive. Writing, updating and reviewing of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

12. Where required, supervise staff and delegate and allocate work to junior colleagues, students and visiting scientists, monitoring progress, performance and adherence to safety protocols.

13. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and divisional activities.

14. Keep up to date with advances in methodology and technology, continually updating

technical knowledge relevant to the field.

15. Contribute to the laboratory quality assurance and audit processes through participation in any internal audits, any relevant external quality assurance schemes, and ensuring that agreed methods of internal and external quality control are fully operative and adhered to.

16. Be aware of and comply with equality and diversity policies of the University of Glasgow.

17. Provide technical cover on Public Holidays to ensure sufficient support is provided for the infectious disease diagnostic service, on a voluntary or rota basis.

18. Interact with clients, internal and external, to maintain the highest levels of service.

19. Interact and liaise with colleagues and students throughout the University to provide technical advice and to maintain a healthy and productive working environment, including Estates and Buildings colleagues, external contractors and any member of the wider staff, as necessary, including other members of technical staff, facilities, security, IT and academic staff.

20. Liaise with external partners and build strong constructive collaborations.

The above duties are not exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake any other relevant duties as required by the laboratory manager or the clinical leads of infectious diseases which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge / Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / Scottish vocational Qualification level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal

development in a similar role.

A2  Demonstrable in-depth technical knowledge in relevant scientific or technical specialism.

A3  Understanding of health and safety policies and procedures relative to the role, and the quality outputs and standards required.

Desirable

B1 BSc Degree or equivalent in relevant scientific discipline.

B2 Knowledge of infectious disease processes, including pathogenesis.

Skills

Essential

C1 Highly developed specialist skills in infectious disease investigation including use of specialist equipment and techniques, including handling and disposal of clinical waste and other toxic and hazardous materials.

C2 Evidence of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of staff and students.

C3 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of standard software such as MS Office suite,  Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and other specialist software packages.

C4 Well developed analytical and problem solving capability, including high degree of accuracy, attention to detail and excellent numeracy and literacy skills.

C5 Proven interpersonal and communication skills including excellent teamworking skills as well as demonstrable ability to work confidently and independently.

C6 Supervisory skills, with ability to impart knowledge and demonstrate skills to undergraduate students, postgraduate students and staff members.

C7 Evidence of planning, organisation and prioritisation of own workload to meet the needs of the service and competing demands.

C8 Use of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently.

Desirable

D1 Interest and enthusiasm for learning new skills and developing diagnostic methods at the cutting edge of technology, such as sequencing and similar molecular methods.

Experience

Essential

E1 Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.

E2 Experience performing diagnostic testing procedures for infectious disease / pathogen detection, including but not limited to serological testing, molecular diagnostics and culture techniques.

E3 Evidence of forward planning to maintain consumable stocks and anticipate inventory requirements, such as pathogen stocks and control material, which are essential to diagnostic testing.

E4 Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of service users and clients.

E5 Evidence of excellent customer service and communication skills when dealing with clients.

Desirable

F1 Experience working in a clinical bacteriology / mycology diagnostic laboratory.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £26,038 - £30,505 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

Closing date: 23:45 on Wednesday 26th February 2025