Please note that this vacancy is only open to current University of Glasgow employees. 

Job Purpose

To manage and coordinate technical operations in support of interdisciplinary research in environmental microbiology projects, around the theme of water treatment and quality to investigate environmental microbial communities, providing specialist expertise across a range of advanced experimental techniques and equipment. The postholder plays a key role in the setup, delivery, and continuous improvement of research and teaching activities, ensuring laboratory functionality, safety compliance, and strategic resource management. The role also involves supporting academic teaching, supervising junior staff and students, and contributing to institutional goals aligned with the Technician Commitment and University strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Manage daily lab operations to support multi-disciplinary cross-College research. Implement processes that ensure a safe, efficient, and collaborative research environment

2.  Plan and oversee technical aspects of research projects including coordinating technical resources and technical staff, assigning tasks, training technical personnel, monitoring workflow and ensuring continuous improvement of essential services.

3.  Coordinate the management of safety in research labs across the college. Advise on CoSHH risk assessments and HSE notifications, and provide support to safety incidents and coordinate investigations and reports. Oversee chemical and biological waste management. Report any potential issues to senior safety staff and SEPS.

4.  Deliver high-level technical expertise in microbiology, and flow cytometry including conducting water quality monitoring, and molecular microbial ecology methods.

5.  Provide training and supervision to undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and visiting staff.

6.  Independently design, plan and execute experimental work, actively contributing to the development of experimental systems, bioreactors and protocols to support the delivery of research objectives

7.  Keep up to date with developments in relevant research and technical areas to optimise research contributions.

8.  Maintain and troubleshoot complex technical and experimental issues with specialist equipment and including microbiology and molecular biology equipment,  bespoke bioreactors, flow cytometry and data inconsistencies.

9.  Conduct complex data analysis, identify trends or anomalies, and present findings to research groups and wider audiences.

10.  Independently plan and lead technical support for undergraduate teaching labs, ensuring resource availability and providing specialist expertise to service users.

11.  Provide technical input on budgets, advise on consumables and equipment purchasing, and support cost-effective procurement in collaboration with academic and administrative colleagues.

12.  Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University. 13.  Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School/Group activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role OR: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 [Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

Skills

Essential

C1 Demonstrable specialist technical skills in microbiology, molecular biology and /or flow cytometry, with a significant breadth and depth of technical knowledge. Recognised as a subject matter expert in molecular biology and microbiology.

C2 Experience in laboratory safety coordination, including the  development and writing of COSHH forms and  SOPs, and   conducting comprehensive risk assessments to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

C3 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of specialist or bespoke software packages.

C4 Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex data

C5 Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a research group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C6 Excellent teamworking skills and, supervisory skills.

C7 Ability to plan and prioritise a broad range of technical work to meet competing demands.

Experience

Essential

E1 Significant work experience in microbiology or molecular biology laboratories within a similar research environment including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.

E2 Experience of understanding and interpreting complex technical requirements of service users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.

E3 Experience of managing budgets, including approving spends and monitoring outgoings on behalf of others.

E4 Experience of providing high level technical expertise in a multidisciplinary research and teaching environment.

E5 Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales.

Desirable

F1 DNA extraction of environmental samples.

F2 Experience using Colilert kits to detect coliforms in water.

F3 Experienced in use and maintenance of ddPCR.

F4 Experienced in preparing amplicon libraries.

F5 Knowledge of methods in microbial ecology.

F6 Work experience in an environmental microbiology laboratory.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

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 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 - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

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 https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ 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.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 1 October 2025