Requisition ID: 26105
Location:
Newcastle, GB
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 29 Aug 2023
Salary: £25,742 to £26,444 with progression to £27,979 per annum
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.
Closing Date: 22 October 2023
The Role
We offer an excellent opportunity for a research technician to join Newcastle University’s Genomics Core Facility (GCF) to work alongside a small team of scientists with several years’ experience in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and core facility service provision. You will have direct involvement in delivering a wide range of core NGS services focused around genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic applications.
The GCF is a NGS service provider that specialises in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics technologies and also offers access to additional technologies including high-throughput qPCR and droplet digital PCR. You will have the opportunity to interact with a broad range of researchers and fellow technical specialists within Newcastle University’s Bioscience Institute and more widely across the University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences.
Established in 2016, the Genomics Core Facility (GCF) at Newcastle University underlines the University’s drive to stay at the forefront of genomics research, at both the macro and single-cell level. More information about the facility is available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/gcf/
This is a full time, fixed term post available for the duration of two years.
Informal enquiries about the role to Dr Jonathan Coxhead, Genomics Facility Manager: jonathan.coxhead@newcastle.ac.uk
Key Accountabilities
- Assist, under Genomics senior experimental scientific officer’s (SESO) direction, in developing and performing next-generation sequencing and long-read sequencing services. This will involve working in an environment using specialised equipment and protocols
- Regular liaison with the Genomics SESO to organise workload and the provision of technical support for the satisfactory operation of research activities, the facility and equipment
- Assist in the development of new or improved protocols, under Genomics SESO direction, as required
- Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing or long-read sequencing that may involve using validated automated liquid handling (robotic) protocols
- Operate GCF apparatus, equipment and instruments, including routine preventative maintenance. To report any faults to appropriate supervisory staff
- Present results and or data to the Genomics SESO. To keep excellent laboratory records of all experimental procedures and outcomes, enabling interpretation with team members
- Where appropriate, provide assistance to, and training of, academic, technical and research staff and students on specific experimental techniques and in the use of specialised laboratory equipment
- Liaise with Genomics SESO and the senior laboratory technician to help maintain laboratory stocks of kits and reagents and other consumable requirements. Determine requirements and initiate orders, within specified laboratory ordering procedures. Assist in the monitoring of laboratory expenditure
- The performance of risk assessments and maintaining safety laboratory records (e.g COSHH, BIOCOSHH, and other regulations) in consultation with Genomics SESO and, or senior technical staff.
- Responsible for the care and cleanliness of the GCF designated lab space. To ensure good working standards and maintain quality control
- Report to Genomics SESO on a weekly basis during laboratory meetings and report to the senior technician on a day-to-day basis in the laboratory. Report to the ESO in the absence of the Genomics SESO
The Person (Essential)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Molecular biology experience
- Basic IT skills (Microsoft office – Windows, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability to work co-operatively with all members of the unit
- Ability to follow instruction and work independently
- Willingness to take responsibility for processes and follow them through to completion
- Able to work reliably and accurately with attention to detail
- A flexible and co-operative approach to work with the ability to re-evaluate and prioritise workload
- DNA sequencing experience
- Next-generation / long-read sequencing experience
- Experience with automated liquid handling
- Real time PCR and or Digital PCR experience
- Experience using the command line interface of Unix/Linux OS
- Good communication skills
- Mature, co-operative and flexible approach
- Ability to adapt to changes in research priorities
Attributes and Behaviour
Team-working (Self)
- Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.
- Shares relevant and useful information with others
- Respects the expertise and contribution of others even if own opinion is different
- Willing to help others and share workloads
Planning and organising (Self)
- Works in a planned and structured way
- Ensures that all activities are completed on time
- Ensures that others know how processes and systems work
- Set own priorities in conjunction with team and area objectives
Delivering services (Self)
- Keeps fellow team members up to date with progress
- Pays attention to detail
- Has a positive attitude for doing things better
- Takes responsibility for achieving own targets
- Co-operates with others to achieve targets
- Strives to deliver high quality results
- Is enthusiastic in getting job done on time
Clear communicator (Self)
- Is factually correct and gives consistent verbal and non-verbal messages
- Clear and concise; gets the message across to others
- Chooses communication tools appropriately e.g., selective use of emails and other channels of communication
- Tailors content of communication to the audience, changing style, tone and format appropriately
- Uses face to face communication regularly; team meetings, one to ones, informal discussions/chats, briefing sessions etc
- Can hold attention of others using appropriate techniques, questioning, rhetorical questions, changing tone and pace of voice and animated style
Qualifications
- Degree in a relevant subject area (or BTEC Higher National Diploma) required
Newcastle University is a global University 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.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26105