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- Tasks: Lead practical classes in Biomedical Sciences and support research activities.
- Company: Join Newcastle University, a global institution committed to inclusivity and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension schemes, and health initiatives.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team focused on excellence and creativity in education.
- Qualifications: Relevant technical experience in Biomedical Sciences; HNC/HND or equivalent required.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and are committed to equal opportunities for all applicants.
The predicted salary is between 25800 - 26300 £ per year.
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Salary: £26,942 to £27,644 with progression to £29,179 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: 20 August 2025
The Role
Based in the Medicinal Chemistry Laboratories of the CRUK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit within the Bedson Building, the role holder will provide technical support for anti-cancer drug discovery research projects, funded by Cancer Research UK and Astex Pharmaceuticals. To provide synthetic chemistry, analytical, and separations support to a large group of synthetic medicinal chemists, using methods including semi-preparative HPLC and LC-MS.
Reporting to the Institute Technical Manager team, the role will require in-depth knowledge of technical or scientific practices, methods, and procedures gained through experience and/or formal qualification, to provide a range of technical support activities.
Please note that if you are successful in this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence.
This role is fixed term until October 2027.
Key Accountabilities
- Conduct the chemical synthesis of compounds requiring specialist skills with limited direction
- Conduct the purification of chemical samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction
- Conduct the analysis of chemical samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction
- Complete routine and complex maintenance activities and repairs
- Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve problems and investigate replacement options
- Advise on equipment capabilities and how results can be achieved
- Design and deliver bespoke equipment and apparatus
- Develop local procedures to establish and maintain a safe and compliant working environment
- Hold safety responsibilities relevant to the specialism
- Assist with safety paperwork and ensure compliance tasks are completed
- Complete accident reporting and assist investigations
- Maintain health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism
- Schedule, prioritize, and monitor work according to demands and deadlines
- Plan, operate, and supervise laboratory spaces
- Organize and facilitate progress meetings
- Contribute to the development, delivery, and planning of the specialism
- Support change initiatives
- Manage budgets and monitor resource usage
- Create, update, and implement procedures for effective service delivery
- Provide research support, including method development
- Support teaching activities, including class and field work development
- Manage equipment bookings, costs, and re-charging
- Contribute to building work and manage security and access control
- Design and deliver inductions, demonstrations, and training on techniques and equipment
- Identify training and development needs and mentor junior staff
The Person
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Relevant technical/workshop experience
- Thorough knowledge of Health and Safety procedures
- Excellent team working skills
- Technical and problem-solving capacity
Desirable
- Good organizational skills, proactive, diligent, and attentive to detail
- Experience in research/teaching activity design and specification
- Adaptability to research priorities
Attributes and Behaviour
- Tact, diplomacy, and handling difficult situations
- Effective time and resource management to meet deadlines
- Clear communication and active listening
- Consistent, appropriate approach, and use of feedback for improvement
- Team player, self-starter, capable of managing complex workloads
- Positive response to undergraduate students
Qualifications
- BTEC HNC/HND or equivalent, or extensive relevant experience
- Professional registration or working towards it (including HEA)
Newcastle University is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunities employer, a University of Sanctuary, and hold awards supporting gender equality and race equality. We are a Disability Confident employer offering interviews to disabled applicants who meet the criteria. We are also part of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
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Laboratory Technical Specialist employer: Newcastle University
Contact Detail:
Newcastle University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Laboratory Technical Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technical skills required for the role, particularly in microbiology and molecular biology. Consider reaching out to current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights into their experiences and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience with Health and Safety procedures during any informal discussions or networking opportunities. This is crucial for the role, so demonstrating your knowledge and commitment can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with Newcastle University's community by attending relevant events or workshops. This will not only expand your network but also show your genuine interest in the institution and its values, which can be beneficial during the selection process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving abilities and how you've managed complex workloads in previous roles. Be ready to provide examples that demonstrate your organisational skills and proactive approach, as these are key attributes for the Laboratory Technical Specialist position.
We think you need these skills to ace Laboratory Technical Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in Biomedical Sciences, particularly in microbiology and molecular biology. Emphasise any hands-on practical skills and your ability to work collaboratively in a team.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your technical support capabilities and commitment to health and safety.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, such as BTEC HNC/HND or any relevant degrees in Biomedical Science. If you have professional registrations or are working towards them, make sure to include this information as it shows your commitment to the field.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is essential for this role, provide examples in your application of how you've effectively communicated complex information in previous roles. This could be through training sessions, presentations, or collaborative projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience in Biomedical Sciences, particularly in microbiology and molecular biology. Highlight specific projects or tasks where you applied your technical skills, as this will demonstrate your capability to support teaching and research effectively.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Since the role involves maintaining health and safety procedures, be ready to talk about your understanding of relevant regulations and how you've implemented safety protocols in previous roles. This shows your commitment to creating a safe working environment.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Communication Skills
The position requires excellent team working and communication abilities. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues or trained others in using scientific equipment. This will illustrate your proactive approach and ability to work well within a team.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in technical situations. Think of instances where you've successfully resolved issues related to laboratory equipment or procedures, as this will highlight your analytical thinking and resourcefulness.
