Job Purpose
To manage technical aspects of research work on behalf of the Principal Investigators PIs, including providing specialist technical expertise and training in molecular biology. The post holder will be responsible for the creation, set up and operation of all technical resources required for the delivery of research and teaching objectives and to support student training. The postholder will be expected to utilise a variety of molecular biology and other methodologies across a wide range of projects and support activities in line with the College/School Strategy. This post is located at the main University of Glasgow Gilmorehill Campus.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provide in-depth support to technical aspects of research, primarily in molecular biology, including (but not limited to) those based on Next Generation (NGS) and Sanger sequencing approaches, such as extraction and quality control of nucleic acids, sample management, qualitative and quantitative PCR, preparation of barcoded RNA and DNA libraries, and cloning.
2. Provide specialist technical advice and training to the research team. This role will include teaching technical staff, undergraduate and post- graduate/PhD students. Where required, support the supervision of students within the research group.
3. Progress technical aspects of research objectives in accordance with pre- determined timescales as set out by the PIs.
4. Independently generate ideas and implement agreed proposals for experimental strategies.
5. Design and create experiments, systems, protocols, equipment, and/or other technical resources to support the delivery of research objectives. Write technical instructions, standard operating procedures, and user guides.
6. Keep up to date with developments in relevant research/technical areas (e.g., molecular biology/genomics) and within the broader discipline to ensure contribution to research goals is optimised.
7. Be responsible for the management of technical aspects of research projects, including, where relevant, management of the laboratory, technical resources, and technical staff. Ensure operational delivery of technical resources is optimised and seek to continuously improve the technical service.
8. Be responsible for troubleshooting complex technical problems, including issues with the design and operation of technical resources and/or with the data which are generated.
9. Undertake complex data analysis, identifying trends, problems or anomalies, and present findings clearly to research group and/or to wider audiences via presentations or within appropriate research publications.
10. Where relevant, take day to day control of research budgets, creating spending plans, monitoring outgoings and targets and providing summary reports to PIs as required.
11. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Manage and handle laboratory waste streams appropriately. Give advice and assistance with completion of COSHH assessments and ensure that all staff are aware of health and safety legislation. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.
12. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School and, where relevant, with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University.
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. If you do not address each criterion, then you will not be shortlisted for interview.
Please use the Criteria Template attached at the bottom of this page to show you meet the essential criteria and upload to the Application Portal with a copy of your CV and cover letter. Applications which do not address the essential criteria as requested will not be progressed.
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2. Ability to demonstrate significant breath or depth of technical knowledge in modern molecular biology techniques, including NGS and genomic/metagenomic experience.
A3. Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety practices, Health and Safety legislation applicable to the role, and other University policies and procedures.
Desirable:
B1. Degree or equivalent in relevant discipline desirable.
Skills/Experience
Essential:
C1. Demonstrable specialist technical skills in molecular biology/molecular genetics/NGS/manipulation of nucleic acids. This may include DNA/RNA extraction, sequencing, qPCR.
C2. Relevant IT skills, including proficient user of specialist or bespoke software packages.
C3. Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex data
C4. Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a research group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.
C5. Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills.
C6. Excellent organisational and time management skills and an ability to plan and prioritise a broad range of technical work to meet competing demands.
C7. Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.
C8. Experience of understanding and interpreting complex technical requirements of service users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.
C9. Experience of managing budgets, including approving spends and monitoring outgoings on behalf of others.
C10. Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales.
C11. Demonstrated ability to optimise new methodological approaches, in addition to following standard operating procedures.
Desirable:
D1. Experience with both short-read and long-read sequencing technologies
D2. Experience working with samples collected from the wild that could contain unknown pathogens.
Additional Information
Our School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. As we are a merging of two Athena Swan Silver award winning bodies (the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine) we aim to achieve an Athena Swan award for the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
The 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 was re-shaped to create 8 new Schools that bring staff together around thematic strengths, across the strategic pillars of education, research and innovation. More information on the College re-shape can be accessed here: MVLS 2025 with further plans mapped out in our MVLS 2033 strategy. The new College shape took effect from August 2022 and this post will be based in the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine.
https:// www. gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/mvls2025/
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended.
New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
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.
Vacancy Ref : 144148 Close Date : 29-Apr-2024 23:45