Research Technician

Temporary

Duties will include supporting research and wastewater surveillance activities in the Laboratory. Working within a team, the successful candidate will help process all types of water samples, including untreated and treated wastewater, sludge, surface water, groundwater and drinking water and performing analysis. The Research Technician will input analysis data into databases and will be responsible for sample quality assurance and data handling. They will also support the maintenance of laboratory activities daily as and when required., Led by Professor Davey Jones, the National Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Laboratory at Bangor University was recently established to research and conduct WBE analysis, tracking enteric viruses (noroviruses, sapoviruses, hepatitis A/E viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, rotavirus) and respiratory pathogens (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus, mpox) and faecal indicator viruses (e.g. crAssphage, MS2 bacteriophage, pepper mild mottle virus) and other, cellular enteric pathogens, indicators and antimicrobial resistance genes.

This dedicated laboratory facility is focussed with a strong emphasis within the area of public health and environmental sampling/testing for specific targets within our contractual arrangements.

Purpose of the Job

The Research Technician will be part of an established team working in the National Wastewater-Based Epidemiology Laboratory at Bangor University. They will support the research and wastewater surveillance activities in the national laboratory for wastewater monitoring based at Bangor University. This important work is required to assist us in our current project to track enteric (noroviruses, sapoviruses, hepatitis A/E viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, rotavirus) and respiratory pathogens (e.g. SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus, mpox) and faecal indicator viruses (e.g. crAssphage, MS2 bacteriophage, pepper mild mottle virus) and other, cellular enteric pathogens, indicators and antimicrobial resistance genes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

All work to be carried out to ISO17025 standard.
Use, monitor and maintain the quality management system.
Use of database to log samples and generate data.
Analysis and quality control of results.
Equipment maintenance and calibration.
Preparation of reagents for use within the process.
Monitoring and control of consumables.
Adhering to all health and safety guidelines.
Routine cleaning and maintenance of labs and equipment.
Liaise with all co-investigators and members of the viral ecology team working on the project.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post., The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

Candidates should be educated to A Level standard (or equivalent), be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of laboratory techniques, have experience and knowledge of assisting research groups or teaching groups in a laboratory situation and be aware of H&S issues in a relevant laboratory situation., * 2 AS Levels or 1 A Level or NVQ level 3 in a relevant subject area or Level 3 IVQ Technicians Diploma or equivalent.

Desirable

NVQ level 4 in a relevant subject area.
Full Technical Certificate, BTEC, HND / HNC.
Relevant degree.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of laboratory techniques i.e. samples, solutions.
Experience and knowledge of assisting research groups or teaching groups in a laboratory situation.
Knowledge of H&S issues in a relevant laboratory situation.
Experience of following operating procedures.

Desirable

Experience in undertaking microbiology-based research.
Knowledge of ISO protocols within a laboratory setting.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to prioritise own work and meet deadlines set by manager.

Desirable

A UK driving licence to enable travel to sometimes inaccessible sites.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak/write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

The postholder will be required to work 36.25 hours over 5 days per week, with 3 different shift patterns: 08.00-16.00 h, 09.00-17.00 h and 10.00-18.00 h, that will be scheduled in advance.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible and the post is available until 31 October 2027.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Professor Davey Jones, Professor of Soil and Environmental Science / Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor email: d.jones@bangor.ac.uk, We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.