Job Advert

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technician to support the delivery of the UKRI-funded interdisciplinary project Fish, Fishers and Finances: Working with Brazilian Traditional Communities to Improve the Ornamental Fish Trade (Principal Investigator: Prof Shaun Killen). This project integrates fish physiology, animal welfare science, social science and environmental economics to improve welfare, sustainability and economic resilience within the Amazonian ornamental fish trade. The successful candidate will join a collaborative, international research team working closely with Amazonian fishing communities, industry partners and policymakers. The position is based in Glasgow, with involvement in overseas field activities in Brazil as required, working with Prof Shaun Killen (line manager), postdoctoral researchers, and international project partners.

The postholder will provide specialist technical support for the biological and welfare components of the project, contributing to the smooth and safe operation of laboratory and field-based research activities involving live ornamental fish. The role will involve supporting experimental work on fish welfare, behaviour and physiology, maintaining aquatic systems and technical equipment, and assisting with data collection and management. The postholder will work closely with researchers and students to ensure that experimental protocols are implemented accurately, efficiently and in line with ethical and health and safety requirements.

Job Purpose

To provide specialist technical support for the biological and welfare components of the Amazonian ornamental fish trade project, maintaining laboratory and field systems for fish physiology, water quality, behaviour and stress measurement. The role involves periods of fieldwork in the Brazilian Amazon.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Maintain and operate aquatic holding systems, respirometry equipment, water-quality instrumentation and behavioural recording setups used for ornamental fish welfare research.

2.      Prepare and maintain water chemistry, gases, sampling kits and welfare assessment tools used in field and laboratory studies.

3.      Support cortisol sampling, water chemistry analysis, behavioural video processing and welfare scoring.

4.      Maintain stocks of consumables (e.g. sampling vials, reagents, sensors, nets, holding tanks) for UK- and Brazil-based work.

5.      Assist with experimental setup, troubleshooting and equipment development for transport simulations and stress experiments.

6.      Maintain accurate data logs, equipment service records and experimental databases.

7.      Train students and postdocs in safe and correct use of respirometry, water quality and behavioural equipment.

8.      Support risk assessments, COSHH, Home Office compliance and biosafety for live-animal and waterborne hormone work.

9.      Liaise with Brazilian partners on field equipment logistics, maintenance and shipping.

10.   Contribute to lab organisation, safety culture and continuous improvement of protocols.

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

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria below. Applications which do not address the essential criteria as requested will not be progressed.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 7 (Advanced Higher / SVQ Level 3, HNC) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a technical or laboratory role.

A2 Detailed technical knowledge in a relevant biological or life-science discipline, sufficient to support experimental research with live animals.

A3 Up-to-date knowledge of laboratory Health & Safety legislation, including preparation of risk assessments and COSHH documentation in a life-science laboratory environment.

A4 Knowledge of aquatic animal care, fish biology, or aquatic systems sufficient to support ornamental fish welfare and physiology research.

Desirable:

B1 BSc degree or equivalent in biosciences, aquaculture, animal science, zoology, or a related discipline.

B2 Knowledge of fish welfare, stress physiology, aquaculture, or aquatic animal husbandry.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Demonstrable in-depth technical skills aligned to a biological or life-science discipline and the requirements of a live-animal research project.

C2 Competency in a range of IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Teams and Outlook, with strong spreadsheet and database skills.

C3 Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with high accuracy and attention to detail.

C4 Proven interpersonal, communication, organisational and time-management skills.

C5 Ability to work independently and as part of a research team, following protocols and safety procedures.

C6 Ability to coordinate, prioritise and manage workload to meet the needs of multiple service users.

C7 Practical skills in maintaining laboratory or aquatic systems, preparing media or reagents, and operating scientific equipment.

C8 Ability to train and support researchers and students in the safe and correct use of technical equipment.

Desirable:

D1 Supervisory or line-management skills.

D2 Ability to work with aquatic animals, water-quality instrumentation, or fish physiology or behaviour equipment.

D3 Ability to maintain experimental or welfare monitoring systems for live animals.

D4 Portuguese language skills to support coordination with Brazilian partners and field logistics.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Relevant work experience in a laboratory, research or technical environment, including evidence of outputs and professional development.

E2 Experience understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of staff and students, including demonstrating techniques and the safe operation of equipment or software.

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

E4 Experience working to health, safety and regulatory standards in a laboratory or technical environment.

E5 Ability and willingness to undertake international travel and periods of fieldwork to support research activities in the Brazilian Amazon.

Desirable:

F1 Experience supporting research involving live animals, aquatic systems, or physiological measurements.

F2 Experience contributing to experimental design, data collection or quality control in research projects.

F3 Experience supporting field-based or international research activities.

Additional Information

Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our Athena Swan Silver award demonstrates our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education.  The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/athenaswan/

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) has 8 Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation.  More information on the College can be accessed here: MVLS College Futures 2033.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended with funding available up until 31st March 2028.

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 3rd March 2026