Job Purpose

To provide in-depth Technical support and knowledge to research groups within the Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre (POG-LRC), part of the School of Cancer Sciences (SCS). Providing specialist technical expertise in but not limited to tissue culture techniques, primary cell isolation and cell banking and Health & Safety. In addition, undertake a range of technical support activities and general facility services, including the oversight of the normal and leukaemia cell bank facility within the POG-LRC.

As part of the SCS core technical staff undertake duties to ensure facilities, communal equipment and services are maintained and provide Health & Safety advice to staff and students. To provide general safety inductions and more specific tissue culture training, and form part of the team for laboratory safety training and inspections.

Responsible for the creation/set up and/or operation of technical resources to aid the delivery of research objectives.

In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities in line with the College and School Strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide in-depth technical knowledge, solutions, and advice/training to service users relating to the communal tissue culture facilities and cell isolation/banking protocols at containment level 2.

2. Provide biological and chemical safety advice to staff and students on completing risk assessments and COSHH assessments, and promoting safe working practices within the POG-LRC, by keeping up to date with Health & Safety legislation and apply this knowledge to technical activities to ensure compliance and contribute to the delivery of research aims. Undertake Health & Safety training and provide advice as required.

3. Proactively liaise with departments in Glasgow, UK and internationally to facilitate the receipt of normal blood/bone marrow and leukaemia (AML, CLL, AML) samples. Isolate the required components (e.g., HSCs, leukaemic cells, serum) and prepare for long-term storage (biobanking) in liquid nitrogen. Collect, analyse and interpret data using standard procedures about each sample and ensure that accurate records are kept.

4. Maintain and regularly update a database relating to all biobanked samples, linked to anonymised records, and distribute the samples from the dedicated liquid nitrogen cell bank to colleagues/ collaborators in SCS and internationally, in line with POG-LRC ethical approval process. Generate and share a record of the cell bank records with local users on a monthly basis.

5. Day to day management of the flow cytometers at POG-LRC,  including daily startup, QC and shutdown, monthly cleans and user management.  Work with the SCS flow cytometry manager to troubleshoot where appropriate and liaise with BD technical support and engineers where required.

6. Develop, create and test new and existing equipment, systems, procedures, protocols and techniques, supporting core equipment such as Luminex, Incucyte and fluorescent microscopes to meet the needs of service users within agreed timescales. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance as required, reporting and arranging call outs and repairs when required.

7. To advise, train and provide guidance to service users in the best application and operation of technical resources, including the operation of equipment in lab.

8. Liaise with relevant senior staff to organise the renewal of maintenance contracts on an annual basis. Initiating procurement processes for new equipment as required.

9. Liaise with the NHS departments, to ensure that any faults in the laboratory are reported and repairs are carried out when required.

10. Maintain appropriate stock levels for the tissue culture facility and laboratory, including appropriate preparation of any specialised reagents as required, and purchase consumables and supplies within defined budget, identifying where saving could be made by contacting companies. Ensure safe implementation and ongoing storage of potentially hazardous materials.

11. 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, ensuring that all Health & Safety paperwork is completed and recorded accurately, and implementing and adhering to all applicable Health & Safety policies, including specialist legal procedures for hazardous materials.

12. In liaison with relevant senior staff, monitor technical standards. Advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required. Undertake Health & Safety duties, including supporting risk assessments reviews and taking part in lab safety Inspections.

13. Undertake Fire, First Aid and other safety activities in line with grade with appropriate training. Liasing with NHS fire safety officer to ensure NHS training is undertaken by POG-LRC personnel and the Fire Action Plan is up to date.

14. Support the University commitment to sustainability at least in part through generating innovative ideas towards maintaining POG-LRC’s gold laboratory efficiency assessment framework (LEAF) award.

15. Where relevant, supervise staff including allocating work and monitoring progress and outputs.

16. Undertake general administration as required for equipment recoup charging, door access, inductions, training and Health & Safety training records.

17. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School activities as required.

The post holder may be required to cover some hours out with standard working hours for periods of staff absence/annual leave.

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

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and 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 research techniques relevant to Cancer Research.

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

Desirable

B1 BSc Degree or equivalent in a biological discipline

B2 Biological or other general safety qualification or training

Skills

Essential

C1 Demonstrable in-depth technical skills in a variety of different techniques and methodologies applicable to cancer research, including tissue culture and molecular biology and/or flow cytometry

C2 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist and standard software packages

C3 Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including diagnosing equipment faults and use initiative to resolve.

C4 A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail in both experiments and record keeping

C5 Proven interpersonal and communication skills with staff and students at all levels.

C6 Excellent teamworking and supervisory skills.

C7 Ability to plan and prioritise workload to meet competing demands.

Desirable

D1 Experience handling human blood samples.

Experience

Essential

E1 Significant relevant work experience within a similar environment, including evidence of previous professional development.

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

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

Desirable

F1 A familiarity with the risks associated with handling human blood samples.

F2 Working knowledge of Containment level 2 facility and requirements.

F3 Ability to convey technical knowledge and expertise to all categories of staff

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £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 Wednesday 9th September 2026