Lab Technician

Job id: 086485. Salary: £32,979 – £36,396 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 18 March 2024. Closing date: 01 April 2024.

Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: St John’s Institute of Dermatology.

Contact details:David Baudry. [email protected]

Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Laboratory Technician to support the delivery of translational research activities at St John’s Institute of Dermatology.  The post holder will join a large interdisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists and study management personnel to deliver our internationally leading skin research programmes in three, interrelated areas with high unmet needs – immune-mediated diseases, cancer and rare disease.  This is an opportunity to work with the largest skin bioresource in the UK in an academic laboratory setting.

The post holder will work closely with the Senior Laboratory Technician and the Bioresource Manager and will be instrumental in processing biological samples for our studies (mainly extracting DNA and RNA), as well as documenting sample processes/storage/use on relevant databases. You will also assist with PBMCs isolation and cell culture as needed. The successful candidate will also help catalogue historic samples and consolidate existing collections. The job may require occasional early starts/late finishes/weekend work, in addition to going to other sites across London where samples may be collected. You will be a dependable team player, able to work well within the technical team to deliver a comprehensive technical service.  You will be able to work independently when appropriate, possessing excellent planning and communication skills and able to prioritise their own workload effectively.

This post is entirely lab based and the successful candidate will be working on site, there is no scope for hybrid working and/or working from home.

Due to the nature of this project, there may be times when the post holder will be needed to work outside of the core hours.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31st January 2026.

This is a full time post – 100% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• Process and store samples as they are collected at St John’s Institute of Dermatology clinics and external sites, including DNA/RNA extractions and serum aliquoting, as well as PBMCs isolations and skin embedment when needed
• Liaise with clinical, scientific and laboratory team to ensure all samples are processed in a timely manner
• Document accurately and in a timely manner all sample processes/storage/use in relevant databases
• Catalogue historic samples and help consolidate existing sample collections
• Make up solutions, stains and reagents for tissue culture and sample processing as required
• Manage own workload within the parameters of an-agreed work plan, responding to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context
• Use a broad range of technical or practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical or scientific practices and procedures
• Engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year
• Actively engage in the King’s Technical Network, building a network across the Faculty to provide peer support and opportunities to share best practice
• Forge relationships with colleagues in the School, Faculty, university and externally, to build relationships and disseminate and get information
• Contribute to ideas for improving current working methods and procedures
• Implement local environmentally sustainable practices, following King’s sustainability audit process
• Implement and monitor compliance with local regulations, to ensure a safe workplace and report accidents/incidents to line manager(s) or supervisor(s)
• Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working with academic, research and other professional services staff and colleagues external to King’s
• Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/University projects and initiatives for up to 10% FTE
• Assist in general lab maintenance and organization either in collaboration with an experienced scientist or more independently
• Adhere to local laboratory SOPs and national health and safety policies and assist with relevant paperwork and administration to meet Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Trust guidelines

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

Minimum level 3 qualification, e.g. A levels, AS levels, International Baccalaureate diploma or other Level 3 qualification, plus work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts OR considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific posts

Commitment to personal and professional development

Knowledge and practical use of a range of technical skills

Ability to apply learnt techniques to the work context

Clear spoken and written communication skills, with proficient computer use (Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel) and databases, and strong interpersonal and influencing/behavioural skills

Proactive and responsive to contacts in immediate area, across a wider organisation and externally to build relationships and networks

Solutions-focused self-starter, with strong planning and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities and work with minimal supervision

Working knowledge of regulations and best practice governing area of work, including Health & Safety and environmental sustainability

Laboratory experience in sample processing (DNA/RNA extractions)

Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records

Knowledge of laboratory procedures and standard operating procedures

This post is entirely lab based and the successful candidate will be working on site, there is no scope for hybrid working and/or working from home.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.