The Role and the 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 5^th in the UK for Biological Sciences Departments in the Complete University Guide 2023.

The successful candidate will join the newly established Centre for Programmable Biological Matter, led by Professor Jonathan Heddle. We are a large, multidisciplinary, and well-equipped laboratory with a grand vision to design, develop, understand and build novel biological nanomachines. We expect that our research will lead to breakthroughs in new materials and therapeutics. These will all be biocompatible, biodegradable and highly sustainable.

In your role you will produce and analyse samples, providing results and appropriately processed data to laboratory colleagues. You will also be involved in maintaining equipment and designing new experimental protocols as well as ensuring the day-to-day upkeep and running of the lab in conjunction with the lab manager.

The post is full time, fixed term for 24 months. Funding is available from the 1^st September 2023.

Essential Criteria

1. Good oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
2. Strong 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 systems.
3. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
4. Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
5. Professional knowledge and expertise in one or more area of technical specialism, and the application of skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.
6. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring activities of self and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.
7. Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision technical skills and the operation of standard and complex scientific and technical equipment.
8. Specifically practical experience in techniques in molecular biology, biophysics protein expression, purification, and characterisation and associated data analysis as well as in structural biology techniques.

Desirable Criteria

• Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Relevant industry and professional recognition and certification of achievement of skills and knowledge.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, with experience using tools such as Python, R, or Matlab for both experimental and computational data analysis.