Job Purpose

To deliver high quality technical services for teaching using specialist technical knowledge in the Human Biology & Physiology and Biomolecular Sciences subject areas. Shared responsibility for the creation, set-up and best operation of technical resources in support of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching objectives. In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities for College Services.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide technical support to service users within Human Biology & Physiology, and Biomolecular Sciences teaching facilities. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab(s) to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

2. Provide in-depth technical knowledge, solutions, and advice to service users to maximise the learning experience and contribute to the delivery of teaching objectives.

3. Support live practical teaching sessions in a direct student-facing role with human subjects. Supervise and advise on all technical aspects of small undergraduate student projects of their own design.

4. Develop, programme, calibrate, test and maintain equipment, systems, protocols, models and/or techniques. Diagnose faults and carry out appropriate maintenance or improvements as required. Troubleshoot day-to-day problems; this can involve issues within live practical teaching sessions with human subjects. Work to recognised standards and procedures.

5. Design, plan and organise technical activities to meet the needs of service users within agreed timescales to meet teaching deadlines. Prepare, analyse and optimise specialist materials and a wide range of reagents and media for student practical classes in Human Biology & Physiology and Biomolecular sciences. Duties will involve support for student practicals and limited ex vivo and in vitro experiments using established protocols.

6. In liaison with relevant senior staff, monitor technical standards. Advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.

7. Record, analyse and interpret scientific data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate records are kept, and databases are updated accordingly. Present findings accurately. This may include teaching related data.

8. Advise, train and provide guidance to service users in the best application and operation of technical resources.

9. Where relevant, maintain appropriate stock levels, including preparation of specialised materials as required, and advise Technician-in-Charge of purchase requirements for consumables and supplies. Ensure safe implementation and ongoing storage of potentially hazardous materials.

10. Where relevant, and in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the technical workspace 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 timeously and recorded accurately, implementing and adhering to all applicable health and safety policies, including specialist legal procedures for certain materials and equipment.

11. Where relevant, supervise staff including modern apprentices and laboratory assistants, allocating work and monitoring progress and outputs.

12. Responsible for a range of teaching support and administration. This includes recording scientific data, student attendance and collating student engagement data for feedback to the academic lead.

13. Work flexibly as part of the Education Hub Technical Team to meet objectives as agreed with the Technician-in-Charge of the facility; work in other areas when necessary to support teaching/training/preparation.

14. Keep up to date with advances in all relevant disciplines through appropriate and tailored CPD. Apply this knowledge and skills base to technical activities to enhance the student learning experience and to contribute to the delivery of teaching aims.

15. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/Institute/School activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians

Knowledge/Qualifications/Skills/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. Detailed technical knowledge and expertise in Human Biology & Physiology and Biomolecular Sciences

A3. Up to date knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role including, but not limited to, Health and Safety.

Desirable:

B1. Degree level qualification in a relevant discipline.

B2. Up to date knowledge of relevant University policies and procedures.

B3. First Aid training/qualification.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Demonstrable in-depth technical skills in equipment, systems, and techniques aligned to Human Biology & Physiology and Biomolecular Sciences.

C2. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software and data capturing packages including but not limited to, Lt platform and ADInstrument technology.

C3. Well-developed analytical skills, dealing with complex data, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

C4. Strong problem-solving capability, often in real-time, to support live practical teaching sessions which can include human subjects.

C5. Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a range of service users with varying degrees of ability and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C6. Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills. Experience of training junior/less experienced staff/students, preferably in a teaching laboratory environment.

C7. Ability to plan and prioritise work of self and others, along with allocation of resources, to meet the needs of service users.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Significant, relevant work experience of providing high quality technical services in a complex lab environment.

E2. Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of service users and ensuring their experience is optimal.

E3. Experience of maintaining Standing Operating Procedures to ensure the smooth, efficient, and legal running of the lab; includes compliance with Health and Safety procedures for service users, or other legal requirements.

E4. Proven experience of working with competing demands in a fast-paced technical service environment.

Desirable:

F1. Experience in working in a large teaching laboratory.

F2. Experience in ex vivo or in vitro work.

F3. Experience in sterile cell culture.

F4. Experience in working with human subjects.

Terms and Conditions

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

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended.

Closing date: 28 September 2025

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.