Job Purpose

We are looking to appoint a technician to support the School of Infection and Immunity within the Sir Graeme Davies Building. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the efficient operation of a designated floor within the building, providing technical support and coordinating shared resources among research groups. Additionally, the post holder will be aligned with a specific research group and may have opportunities to contribute to their research activities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinate, organise and manage various aspects of lab infrastructure on a designated floor within the Sir Graeme Davies Building (SGDB), this will include the following:

• Assisting with inductions and training of new staff, visitors and students and provide a point of reference for any queries on the designated floor.

• Keeping up to date with and providing support and guidance to staff and students on matters relating to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Health and Safety, COSHH and other regulations relevant to the post.

• Responsibility for communal ordering if applicable.

• Support the development and maintenance of COSHH documentation, contribute to health and safety compliance, and assist in delivering routine laboratory training to ensure staff are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for safe and effective lab operations.

• In consultation with the Principle Investigator (PI) or line manager, ensure the safe and efficient operation of laboratory spaces and facilities. Responsibilities include conducting regular safety checks on critical equipment—such as fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, and other safety systems—and ensuring full compliance with University health and safety policies as well as relevant Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations .

• Support Technical & Building Managers with planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules and PAT testing and arrange ad hoc servicing/testing as needed.

• In collaboration with relevant staff, monitor, evaluate, and implement improvements to existing procedures, providing informed advice to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with best practices.

• To maintain lab equipment and diagnose faults and troubleshoot day to day problems relating to equipment, techniques, procedures, and protocols, carrying out appropriate maintenance as required.

• Ensure proper management and disposal of laboratory waste in compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations. This includes segregating hazardous and non-hazardous materials, completing associated paperwork, coordinating with certified waste disposal contractors, and promoting sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact.

• Advise, instruct, train, and provide guidance to research staff and students in the techniques and operation of equipment and apparatus as directed.

• Reporting building fabric issues for your designated floor and liaise with Estates and Buildings engineers for access arrangements.

2. Provide technical support to a designated research group this include:

• Provide in depth technical support to the group, planning and organisation of day-to-day work to ensure that the experimental goals are delivered within previously agreed timescales.

• Develop, test, and construct new equipment, systems and/or techniques.

• Collect, analyse, and interpret data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate research records are kept, and databases are updated accordingly. Present findings accurately to research group.

• Contributing to the well organised functioning of the laboratory and assisting the PI/line manager in maintaining the stock levels and purchasing consumables and supplies, within budget, where required.

• Assist with ensuring compliance of sample transportation and storage in line with current UK legislation

3. Provide technical and facilities support to the Institute, this will include:

• The post holder will take on the role of fire warden for the SGDB.

• Assisting the Building and Technical Management team with facilities management within the SGDB and facilitate communication and coordination between  Estates and Buildings and the lab users

* Provide support to the Building and Technical Management team by coordinating with contractors and visiting engineers, ensuring smooth access, adherence to site protocols, and timely completion of maintenance.

• Actively collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and School working groups as required fostering a cooperative and communicative work environment.

• Keep up to date with advancements in technology, methodology and safety, continually updating technical knowledge.

The above duties are not exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake any other relevant duties as required by the PI / line manager which are commensurate with the grade of the post.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:

A1. SCQF level 7 (Advanced Higher / SVQ level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role

A2. Detailed technical knowledge in scientific area relevant to the school.

A3. Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation

Desirable:

B1. BSc or equivalents, in molecular biology, microbiology, parasitology or a closely related discipline

B2. Knowledge of Equality and Diversity policy.

B3. Knowledge of University of Glasgow policies and regulations.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Excellent organisational and time management skills and an ability to prioritise workload to meet competing demands

C2. IT skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office programmes and relevant databases

C3. Excellent written and oral communication skills

C4. Proven ability to interact with colleagues with tact, diplomacy and ability to be assertive

C5. Numeracy and literacy skills

C6. A high level of accuracy and attention to detail

C7. Use of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently

C8. Ability to work individually and as part of a team and to follow clear instructions

C9. Understanding of and ability to apply relevant Health and Safety and other University policies and procedures.

Desirable:

D1. Proven skills in molecular microbiology techniques

D2. Working knowledge of Hazard group 2 (HG2) pathogens and practices required for compliance.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Significant relevant experience within a research laboratory environment, including evidence of previous professional development

E2. Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of staff and students

E3. Theoretical and practical experience in scientific area relevant to the school

E4. Experience in working with others within a laboratory context

E5. Experience of working with different groups with conflicting priorities.

Desirable:

F1. Experience of working in a containment level 2 environment

F2. Ability and experience in aseptic techniques

F3. Experience in supporting the smooth running of a tissue culture room

F4. Experience of working with pressure systems such as autoclaves and gas cylinders.

Further Information

Further enquiries on these posts may be directed to Caroline O’Connell via email caroline.clucas@glasgow.ac.uk or phone 01413308147 or Susan Gannon via email susan.Gannon@glasgow.ac.uk or phone 0141 330 7147

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £27,319 - £31,236 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

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: 23:45 on Monday 20th October 2025