Technician

Technician

Job Purpose

To provide in-depth technical assistance and experimental expertise for the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) funded project, “Defining tumour budding signature: A spatial multi-omic approach to unravelling epithelial plasticity and metastatic risk in colorectal cancer”. The postholder will work within Professor Joanne Edwards research group at the School of Cancer Sciences and be a member of the Spatial Pathology Analytics for Research and Clinical Integration (SPARC) collaborative grouping.  The postholder will contribute to identify biological features unique to specific tumour budding cells in colorectal cancer. Utilising advanced multi-omics technologies, the project aims to discover promising biomarkers to target these aggressive cells, which are heavily associated with poor patient survival.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide in-depth technical support for multi-omic approaches within the research project. Contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the lab to ensure research excellence.

2. Carry out a range of support activities namely histology laboratory work, histological assessment and statistical analysis.  Contribute to the development and progress of the research project.

3. Develop and follow standard operating procedures for human tissue-based multi-omics workflows, including immunohistochemistry and high-plex immunofluorescence staining.

4. Undertake data analysis, identifying trends and correlations, and present findings clearly to research groups and/or to wider audiences via presentations or within appropriate research publications.

5. Keep clear and accurate records of outputs and where relevant produce concise written summaries of results for senior colleagues. Analyse and interpret data using standard procedures and present findings accurately.

6. 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.

7. To provide guidance to other laboratory users in the best application and operation of technical resources.

8. 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.

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/

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1.   Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 7 [Advanced Higher/ Scottish vocational Qualification level3, Higher National Certificate] in a life science degree.

A2. Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of translation cancer research in gastrointestinal tumours

A3. Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety legislation/policies relative to the role, and the quality outputs and standards required.

A4. Knowledge of statistical analysis.

Desirable

B1. An awarded or near completion of an Honours degree in cancer research or relevant field.

Skills

Essential

C1. Demonstrable technical skills in histology, alongside manual and automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) and staining assessment, with the adaptability to learn multi-omics workflows such as high-plex immunofluorescence techniques.

C2. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

C3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within the immediate research team and external lab users.

C4. Ability to plan and prioritise workload to meet competing demands.

C5. Ability to work independently, including the ability to use initiative and judgement to resolve problems.

C6. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

C7. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist and standard software packages.

Experience

Essential

E1. Experience in histology, manual and automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) and assessing IHC staining.

E2. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

Desirable

F1. Experience in advanced imaging and tissue staining methods, such as high-plex immunohistochemistry (IHC) or multiplex immunofluorescence

F2. Experience using R or Python for bioinformatics, spatial data, or statistical analysis.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum (appointment will normally be made no higher than SP21, £30,378 per annum, due to available funding for this post).

This post is full time and open ended with funding for up to 24 months.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must therefore have an existing right to work in the UK or be able to secure this independently prior to commencing employment. For further information on alternative immigration options, please visit  University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website. 

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 Monday 26th October 2026