Senior Technical Officer

Job description

We are seeking a specialist research technician for our newly established Single Cell Omics Platform at the Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI) at Guy’s Campus, King’s College London (KCL). 

Single cell omics technologies are at the forefront of research in immunology and cancer. We are building a new platform to apply state-of-the-art single cell transcriptomics for various projects within the School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences. 

The post-holder will be based at CIBCI, Guy's Campus (KCL). 

As a Specialist Research Technician, the post-holder will be required to establish workflows and provide high level technical support for multiple projects undertaken by the SCO Platform. 

Experience in specialised techniques such as library preparation and sequencing, flow cytometry and cell sorting is desirable, although training will be provided as necessary in areas where the applicant may be less experienced.. The successful candidate should be self-motivated, be very well organised, have good interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work enthusiastically and effectively as part of a team while also responsibly taking their own initiative. 

The position encompasses a breadth of activities, including: 

•           To run experiments on Chromium X single cell platform.           

•           To act as a key liaison between researchers and the SCO platform.  

•           To assist in the management of the maintenance of equipment and the troubleshooting of technical problems. 

•           Provide training on specialised laboratory skills to junior staff and students. 

•           To manage user access to the instruments by providing estimates of costs and time requirements; to arrange for the handover of samples; and to assist in the selection of analytical parameters. 

•           To make regular presentations to the facility oversight group on the status of studies and the relevant equipment functions 

•           To use flow cytometry for appropriate validation studies 

•           To support research projects, including conducting experiments, data analysis and presenting results. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 2 years 

This is a full-time post – 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

The post holder is a member of the School’s professional services team, providing high quality specialist technical support to the School and specific support to its education/ research activities. Working closely with their line manager(s) and lead academic, the post holder will:  

• Provide recognised specialist technical expertise gained through experience and/or formal qualification to run a specialist technical service, using complex procedures that require considerable skill  
• Have a solid understanding of the underlying technical/scientific theory and associated regulations for the specialist area, keeping informed about developments in the field 
• Have a clear understanding of the importance of controls and their necessary introduction into the conduct and interpretation of all studies 
• Liaise with service users to understand their requirements and priorities  
• Complete risk assessments and adapt the working environment to reduce the level of hazard 
• Perform regular stock checks 
• To keep accurate records to ensure traceability of laboratory procedures to a high quality standard 
• To respect and demonstrate the key principles of scientific integrity, probity, and professionalism 
• Communicate, both orally and in writing, complex information in a clear and precise fashion 
• Manage own workload liaising with the SCO Laboratory Lead maximising the efficiency of the technical support 
• Provide advice/ guidance and, where appropriate, training to colleagues on specialist techniques, regulations and university policies/ processes 
• To remain up to date with the relevant scientific, technical and methodological literature - Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working in partnership with academic, research, other professional services staff and colleagues external to King’s 
• Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/ university projects and initiatives for up to 10% FTE 
• Engage actively in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year 
• Contribute to sustainable management of resources according to green laboratory standards. 

The post holder will directly report to the SCO Laboratory Lead. 

The detail on tasks and responsibilities of the post will be provided in the job work plan, which will form the basis of the discussion during the post holder’s probationary review and subsequent PDR discussion. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. 

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.       Minimum level 4 qualification, e.g. higher apprenticeship, HNC or other Level 4 award, plus work experience in a relevant technical/scientific post OR Considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in a relevant technical or scientific post 

2.       Evidence of an active commitment to career development including professional registration, such as RSci, or working towards CSci 

3.       Have extensive technical experience with an in-depth knowledge of specialist technical or scientific practices, methods and procedures applicable to the described work area, underpinned by a good understanding of relevant technical/scientific theory in single cell omics, particularly transcriptomics but also flow cytometry 

4.       Experienced and competent at preparing DNA/RNA for next generation sequencing 

5.       Full working knowledge of regulations governing area of work 

6.       Solutions-focused self-starter, with excellent planning and organisational skills  

7.       Good communication, orally and in writing  

8.       Good computer skills including Microsoft Office packages 

9.       Comfortable with quantitative approaches, including an understanding of statistical methods and applications 

10.     Willing to train and help others in the relvant methodologies 

11.     Proactive and responsive to internal contacts in immediate area and across King’s and contacts outside the university (e.g. suppliers, colleagues in other HE institutions) in order to build relationships 

12.     Have technical experience with single cell omics methodologies  

Desirable criteria 

13.   Ability to supervise/advise junior team members and give feedback on performance levels, providing training/coaching where necessary  

14.   Have technical experience with flow cytometry 

15.   Experience with functioning of a core facility/platform 

Further information

The post holder is a member of the School’s professional services team, providing high quality technical support to the School and specific support to its education/ research activities. Working closely with their line manager(s) and lead academic.   

The detail on tasks and responsibilities of the post will be provided in the job work plan, which will form the basis of the discussion during the post holder’s probationary review and subsequent PDR discussion. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview.