Lab Manager in Biochemistry and Synthetic Structural Biology

The Role and Department

The Department of Biosciences is composed of 62 academic staff and research fellows; around 50 research and technical support staff; over 90 Research Postgraduate students and over 500 Single Honours undergraduate students, and also teaches students from the Natural Sciences programme. The Department is committed to an ethos of research-led teaching at both BSc and MBiol levels, and was ranked 5th in the UK for Biological Sciences Departments in the Complete University Guide 2023.

Our basic science underpins applications across each-and-every sector of the bio-economy, including Biotechnology, Ecology and Agritechnology. Research programmes are grouped in the following areas: Molecular Plant Sciences; Biomolecular Interactions; Ecology, Evolution and Environment; and Animal Cells and Systems. These groups organise focused seminar series, Research Away Days, manage joint research facilities, oversee mentoring, internal peer review and serve to nucleate larger research projects. Along with our excellent research facilities such as bioimaging, proteomics, metabolomics and genomics we offer a high quality and supportive environment for our research staff.

The Dept. of Biosciences partners with other areas of research strength in Durham University including Computational Sciences and Chemistry, and encourages multidisciplinary research for Health and Wellbeing. Durham University was listed in the Times Higher World Top 50 Life Science Challengers (July 2017).

The Department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation and progression. The Department embraces excellence in all of its forms and invites all qualified applicants to apply. We particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in the academic sector.

Essential Criteria

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally.
2. Excellent digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial and ordering systems.
3. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
4. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
5. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships.
6. Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
7. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including health and safety.
8. Experience of managing teams especially in an academic biochemistry/biology research lab.
9. Expertise in or interest to learn archiving and management of lab data including implementation of electronic lab notebook solutions.
10. Experience and capabilities in coordinating multiple research projects in a highly organized manner to ensure and encourage efficient use of time by all stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria

1. Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.
2. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.