Laboratory Technical Specialist - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom - Newcastle University

Newcastle University
Newcastle University
Verified Company
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description
We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

What's in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits.

We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.


Salary:
£27,131 to £28,762 with progression to £31,411 per annum


Closing Date: 20 January 2023

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Technician to join our team.

You will play a key role in delivering key capacities developed as part of our National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Age-Related Conditions.

You will also spend 50% of your time working on an MRC-funded study investigating glial cell activity in dementia.

In particular, you will be responsible for contributing to human tissue-based technical platforms for dementia research, including post-mortem tissue imaging and culturing of brain tissue derived from neurosurgical patients.

A major focus of the role is to perform autoradiographical studies of post-mortem human brain tissue, which will be augmented with immunofluorescent analysis, standard immunohistochemistry and other techniques such as Western blotting.

The remaining 50% of your time you will support the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, which recently received £23.1M funding from the National Institute of Healthcare Research to continue its world-leading research in ageing and multiple long-term conditions (Supervisor: Dr Daniel Erskine).


This position requires a capacity and willingness to learn new laboratory techniques, enthusiasm for dementia research, attention to detail and a strong desire to perform technical work to a high standard, excellent record-keeping, and the ability to work well with others as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

This post is full time tenable until January 2027

Key Accountabilities

  • Consolidate or develop skills in the preparation of postmortem human brain tissue, including cutting using a crytostat or microtome
  • Consolidate or develop skills in performing autoradiographybased analysis of human brain specimens
  • Perform histological and immunohistochemical staining of human brain specimens and cultured cells
  • Perform Western blotting
  • Prepare tissues for RTpPCR
  • Assist with the maintenance of cultured human cells and brain tissues
  • Manage equipment and reagent inventories, taking responsibility for sourcing and ordering replacements
  • Establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment
  • Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork
  • Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records
  • Complete accident reporting and assist with investigations
  • Maintain indepth and uptodate health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism
  • Organize and facilitate progress meetings
  • Support researchers through the preparation of brain tissues for analysis to contribute to the wider research environment
  • Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs
  • Maintain specialist knowledge and skills, sharing with others
  • Mentor junior staff, including students, and take responsibility for training junior staff and overseeing their laboratory work
  • Maintain timesheets recording
The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

  • Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical role
  • Proven capacity to develop new practical skills
  • Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
  • Excellent team working skills
  • Demonstrates practical abilities working in a laboratory environment
  • Experience of performing autoradiography (Desirable)
  • Experience of the safe and ethical handling of postmortem human tissues (Desirable)
  • Experience in cutting pathology specimens using a cryostat or microtome (Desirable)
Attributes and Behaviour

  • Positive attitude to work
  • Tact, diplomacy and able to handle difficult situations
  • Ability to meet deadlines with effective time and resource management
  • Clear communicator and active listener
  • Consistent and appropriate approach to staff and situations
  • Use of feedback for process improvement and staff development
  • Team player, self starter and able to manage complex workload
  • Ability to respond enthusiastically and positively to undergraduate students

Qualifications:


  • BTEC HNC / HND; or A' level (or equivale
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