Senior Research Technician in Plant Tissue Culture and Genetics at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

11 Dec, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

Plant Tissue Culture, Plant Husbandry, Teamwork, Advice And Guidance, Policy Implementation, Teaching, Research Projects, Relationship Building, Health And Safety Compliance, Communication Skills, Digital Competence, Problem Solving, Technical Expertise, Precision Technical Skills, Molecular Biology, Experimental Procedures

Industry

Higher Education

Description

The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and the Department The Department of Biosciences is composed of 68 academic staff and research fellows; around 50 research and technical support staff; over 90 Research Postgraduate students and over 500 Single Honours undergraduate students. We offer a 3-year BSc degree programme in Biological Sciences and a 4-year MBiol, while also contributing to Natural Sciences. We also run a PGT in Plant Biotechnology with further PGT programmes scheduled for future delivery. Our research and teaching is supported by outstanding research infrastructure in advanced bioimaging (including super-resolution, confocal and electron microscopy), genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, high-performance computing and field research. We promote research at the interface with other disciplines. The Dept. of Biosciences is currently ranked in the top 5 UK Biology Departments in University league tables (4th in the Guardian University Guide, 5th in The Complete University Guide) and has a 100%25 internationally recognised research environment (REF2021). Our basic science underpins applications across each-and-every sector of the bio-economy, including Biotechnology, Ecology and Agritechnology. Research programmes are grouped in the following areas: Molecular Plant Sciences; Biomolecular Interactions; Ecology, Evolution and Environment; and Animal Cells and Systems. These groups organise focused seminar series, Research Away Days, manage joint research facilities, oversee mentoring, internal peer review and serve to nucleate larger research projects. Along with our excellent research facilities such as bioimaging, proteomics, metabolomics and genomics we offer a high quality and supportive environment for our research staff. The Dept. of Biosciences partners with other areas of research strength in Durham University including Computational Sciences and Chemistry, and encourages multidisciplinary research for Health and Wellbeing. The Department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation and progression. The Department embraces excellence in all of its forms and invites all qualified applicants to apply. We particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in the academic sector. A Research Senior Technician position has arisen in the research group of Dr Peter Etchells in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University. Key components of the of the role will be in supporting tissue culture and plant husbandry. The position is part of a UKRI funded project aimed at understanding wood formation in hybrid poplar trees. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: • You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. • We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. • We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. • Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience. 2. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification. 3. Experience of working in a team. 4. Experience or ability to provide advice and guidance to postgraduate students and colleagues. 5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures. 6. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research projects working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment. 7. Extensive experience of relationship building and ability to turn opportunities into long-term knowledge exchange and collaboration. 8. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring your activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 9. Good spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 10. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications, 11. Committed to continuing professional development. 12. Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and experience of compliance. 13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. 14. Professional knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of technical specialism, and the application of skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs. 15. Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision technical skills and the operation of standard and complex scientific, technical and creative equipment. Desirable Criteria 16. BSc or equivalent qualification in the biosciences 17. Experience in plant tissue culture, transformation, and plant husbandry 18. Experience in plant biology research. 19. Experience in histology How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails What you are required to submit: A CV A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dr peter Etchells, or Dr Agnieska Gladala-Kostarz would be happy to speak to you. Please email Peter.Etchells@durham.ac.uk or agnieszka.a.gladala-kostarz@durham.ac.uk. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery · Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. · Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident. · Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible for including (with support) maintenance of plant tissues cultures, plant transformation and plant husbandry. · Share technical knowledge and expertise to support other team members. · Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as determining plant genotypes using PCR, and make recommendations based on your findings. · Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service. · Collect, organise and record data and information accurately to provide reports. · Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities, and systems to ensure safety, security and compliance. · Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise. Planning and Organising · Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role. · Deliver assigned projects in accordance with agreed objectives ensuring a high level of accuracy, complexity, originality and excellence. · Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering project work. · Seek feedback from project staff, students and collaborators to ensure that work tasks are updated to meet project deliverables. · Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Research Laboratory Support · Commission, construct and setup test and experimental procedures. · Test and calibrate equipment and instrumentation · Be an expert in the use of a range of equipment for molecular biology, plant growth and tissue culture. · Provide high-level technical guidance and advice to solve problems and help shape the delivery of teaching, learning and research outcomes. · Arrange the maintenance of technical and experimental facilities. · Setup, demonstrate, instruct and supervise the use and operation of specialist pieces of equipment. · Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities. Communication/Liaison · Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees. · Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks and use a range of equipment and digital services · Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks, which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills while swapping information with peers. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Responsibilities

The Senior Research Technician will support tissue culture and plant husbandry as part of a UKRI funded project focused on understanding wood formation in hybrid poplar trees. Responsibilities include providing technical guidance, managing equipment, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.