Job Purpose

To provide technical assistance and laboratory support to Professor Nigel and his group which is focussed on multiple aspects of spatial biology, in particular spatial transcriptomics, cancer immunology and personalised medicine related to Pancreatic Cancer. The Jamieson Spatial Biology group uses cutting edge spatial transcriptomics platforms (Nanostring GeoMx, NanoString CosMx, 10x Genomics VISIUM, XENIUM, stereoseq) to accelerate preclinical and clinical development of novel therapies across a spectrum of cancers. This role will support the smooth and effective running of Jamieson Spatial Biology group. The Jamieson Spatial Biology group is based at the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, is also part of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre and School of Cancer Sciences (SCS).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

*        Provide technical, archival and admin support to the Jamieson Spatial Biology group within SCS. Contribute to the overall smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure an excellent experience for service users.

*        Carry out a range of support activities namely tissue-based laboratory work, database management and archival work.  Contribute to the creation and development of new technical resources and/or ways of working as directed by relevant senior staff. Identify, propose and implement technical solutions to a range of practical problems.

*        Keep clear and accurate records of outputs and where relevant produce concise written summaries of results for senior staff.

*        Contribute to the safe and well-organised functioning of the laboratory. Maintain laboratory areas appropriately and identify and rectify any technical faults/problems. Ensure that consumables and equipment are appropriately stocked and maintained, preparing media and samples as required.

*        To provide guidance to service users in the best application and operation of technical resources.

*        Keep up to date with advances in the relevant discipline and seek to apply this knowledge to technical activities to further enhance the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research aims.

*        Where relevant, and in consultation with relevant senior staff, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the technical work-space 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, and implementing and adhering to all applicable health and safety policies, including specialist legal procedures for certain materials.

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/

For appointment at Grade 5

*        Develop in-depth technical knowledge, solutions, and advice to service users to maximise the learning experience and/or contribute to the delivery of research objectives on a series of Spatial transcriptomic and spatial Biology platforms including the Nanostring GeoMx and Nanostring CosMx and 10x Genomic VISIUM, Stomics STEREOSEQ.

*        Develop, create and test new equipment, systems, procedures, protocols, models and/or techniques. Diagnose faults and troubleshoot day-to-day problems carrying out appropriate maintenance as required.

*        Design, plan and organise technical activities to meet the needs of service users within agreed timescales.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

For appointment at Grade 4

A1  Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 5 or 6 [National 5 or National 6/Highers, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 2 or 3] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

For appointment at Grade 5

A2 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.

Desirable

For appointment at Grade 5

B1  Significant breath or depth of technical knowledge and recognised as an expert in the histology examination or tissue imaging.

B2 Up to date knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.

Skills

Essential

C1 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

C2 Willingness and enthusiasm to learn new techniques and skills

C3 Excellent time planning, organisational and project management skills

C4 Good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written

C5 Ability to use initiative and judgement to resolve problems alone or as part of the group and meet deadlines

For appointment at Grade 5

C6 Highly developed skills applicable to molecular biology techniques including immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, nucleic acid extraction from a variety of tissue sources including FFPE

C7 Ability to impart/teach skills to a wide range of staff groups with diverse backgrounds, when required

Experience

E1  Experience with database management and sample archiving

For appointment at Grade 5

E2 Experience with next generation sequencing pipelines

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4/5, £23,881 - £26,338 / £26,338 - £30,805 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 12 months from start date.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

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 Sunday 29th June 2025.