Job Purpose

To provide technical assistance, maintenance, and laboratory support to academic and student service users within the MVLS Education Hub Technical Team. Work under guidance of a senior technical supervisor and follow established procedures to support the smooth running of the Zoology teaching laboratory and related teaching activities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide technical support to academic and student service users within Zoology and other Life Science disciplines. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

2. Carry out a range of technical support activities including the use and maintenance of specialist equipment, systems, procedures, protocols, models and/or techniques, following detailed instructions.

3. Implement technical solutions to a range of practical problems, planning work accordingly and referring to Technician-in-Charge for assistance as necessary.

4. Keep clear and accurate technical records, ensuring databases are updated accordingly and, where appropriate, produce concise written summaries of results for senior colleagues.

5. Contribute to the safe and well-organised functioning of the Zoology facility, routine housekeeping and maintenance of equipment and the laboratory, to comply with safe working practices. Identify faults/problems and report upwards. Ensure that consumables and equipment are appropriately stocked and maintained.

6. Prepare and dispense standard reagents and materials including handling Zoological specimens as required.

7. Provide assistance to service users in the basic layout and operation of the lab, including access to equipment, reagents and specimens.

8. Keep up-to-date with advances in Zoology/Life Sciences and seek to apply this knowledge to technical activities.

9. 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/

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

 Qualifications/Knowledge

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 4 in English and Mathematics (National 4) or equivalent, and some experience of working in a similar role.

Desirable:

B1. Experience of personal development in a similar role.

B2. Detailed technical knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, protocols, processes and procedures.

B3. Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation/policies.

B4. HNC/HND in relevant discipline is desirable.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Demonstrable technical skills aligned to Zoology/Life Sciences.

C2. Good IT skills for standard software programmes e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Zoom and ability to train in laboratory specific software.

C3. Good interpersonal and written communication skills with ability to work effectively with others, including own team and lab users.

C4. Good manual dexterity skills.

Experience

Essential:

E1. Following instruction, ability to plan and prioritise workload to meet competing demands.

E2. Ability to work independently, including the ability to use initiative and judgement to identify problems.

E3. Experience of planning and organising own workload to meet the needs of service users.

E4. Accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable:

F1. Experience and/or training in manual handling.

F2. Demonstrable work experience in a similar technical role, with similar responsibilities.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 3, £23,742 - £24,215 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time (21 hours per week), 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 Tuesday 14th October 2025