Research Technician

Research Technician

Entry level 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support research in microbial production and DNA extraction for innovative hydroponic solutions.
  • Company: Join a dynamic biotech startup transforming the future of agriculture.
  • Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in a collaborative environment with growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a passionate team driving rapid growth and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable agriculture while developing your skills in microbiology.
  • Qualifications: BSc in life sciences with practical lab experience; eagerness to learn is key.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

NOTE : Regrettably, we cannot consider applicants who will require a visa (now or in future) for this role.

This also means we cannot consider those currently on a student or graduate visa.

About Concert Bio

We are a biotech startup transforming humanity’s relationship with microbiomes, the world’s most important ecosystem.

We’ve started with hydroponics, helping the greenhouse growers who produce many of our vegetables harness their plant microbiome to improve yield, resilience, and sustainability.

With our first product already live in the UK and US, and over $6 million in funding, we’re entering an exciting stage of rapid growth and international expansion.

You’ll be joining a passionate team where everyone has high ownership, shaping both the company and its culture as we scale.

Role

At Concert Bio, we develop microbial biostimulants for hydroponic greenhouses, discovered through the world’s largest database of hydroponic plant microbiome DNA sequencing data (18,000+ samples).

To support both our discovery and production pipelines, we’re looking for a hands‑on Research Technician to join our team.

In this role, you’ll provide essential support to our research associates by helping with microbial production by preparing media, pouring plates, and culturing strains to grow and deliver the beneficial microbes that underpin our products.

You’ll also support our discovery pipeline by extracting DNA from hydroponic microbiome samples, providing high-quality material for sequencing and analysis.

In addition, you’ll prepare and aliquot reagents, manage consumables and stocks, and ensure equipment is maintained so the lab runs smoothly.

You’ll provide practical support for internal and external plant trials, including assisting treatment application and sampling.

This is a supportive role at the heart of our R&D operations, designed to enable the work of our research team, with a lot of potential for learning and growth.

Responsibilities

  • Support research associates with microbial production by preparing media, pouring plates, and culturing strains to grow and deliver our beneficial microbes.
  • Assist the discovery pipeline by extracting DNA from hydroponic microbiome samples, providing high-quality material for sequencing and analysis.
  • Prepare and aliquot reagents to ensure the research team has what they need for experiments.
  • Manage consumables and stocks, and take responsibility for ordering materials and reagents to keep projects moving.
  • Operate core lab services such as the autoclave and dishwasher, ensuring sterile equipment and media are always available.
  • Support the smooth running of the lab by maintaining equipment and coordinating with the team when issues arise.
  • Assist with internal and external plant trials, including trial set-up, sampling collection and treatment application.
  • Prepare plant microbiome sampling kits and ship them to our customers.
  • Contribute to a supportive, passionate, and high-performance work environment.
  • Need to have
  • Practical experience preparing microbiological media, pouring plates, and maintaining sterile technique.
  • Hands‑on experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction.
  • Experience with ordering materials and reagents from suppliers and managing stocks of these.
  • Ability to take on requests from research associates and provide reliable support across microbial production, molecular biology, and lab operations.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow protocols accurately.
  • Proactive and organised approach to managing tasks, equipment, and consumables.
  • Eagerness to learn and expand your skills in microbiology and molecular biology.
  • A love for working in a high-velocity, collaborative startup environment.
  • Nice to have
  • Familiarity with operating core lab services such as autoclaves and dishwashers.
  • Previous experience with DNA sequencing workflows.
  • Experience in managing a laboratory in a research or industrial setting.
  • Previous experience with horticulture and plant trials.
  • Experience in developing and updating SOPs.
  • Previous experience liaising with suppliers.
  • Experience working in a startup environment.

This role is ideal for someone early in their career with a BSc in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, plant biology, or a related life science, with hands‑on laboratory experience.

A Master’s degree is preferred, but not essential.

Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that we are unable to accept applications from individuals who currently, or will eventually, require visa sponsorship for this role.

Diversity at Concert Bio

Concert Bio is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everybody belongs, and every great idea is heard.

Come do the best work of your life with us at Concert Bio.

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Research Technician employer: Concert Bio

At Concert Bio, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a biotech startup at the forefront of microbiome research, we provide our employees with unique growth opportunities in a fast-paced environment, where your contributions directly impact our mission to enhance sustainability in agriculture. Join us in our vibrant UK location, where you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to transforming the future of hydroponics and making a meaningful difference in the world.

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Contact Details:

Concert Bio Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Technician

Get Involved in Biotech Communities

Dive into online biotech forums and local meetups to connect with industry peeps. Groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit can be goldmines for insider info and hidden job opportunities!

Showcase Your Passion

Start a blog or a social media account dedicated to your biotechnology interests. Share articles, write about recent discoveries, or discuss trends in the industry—it not only builds your personal brand but shows employers you’re enthusiastic and engaged!

Tap into University Resources

If you're fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! They often have exclusive partnerships with biotech firms, and can point you to entry-level openings at places like Concert Bio—plus, they might host job fairs!

Apply Directly to Companies

Don’t just stick to job boards; check out biotech companies' careers pages like Concert Bio. They often list roles there first, especially for entry-level positions. Plus, applying directly can show you're genuinely interested in being part of their team!

We think you need these skills to ace Research Technician

Microbiological Media Preparation
Plate Pouring
Sterile Technique
DNA Extraction
Molecular Biology Techniques
Stock Management
Ordering Materials and Reagents

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Relevant Coursework:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework in biotechnology. We recommend listing specific modules or projects that relate to the role at Concert Bio, as it demonstrates your foundational knowledge and enthusiasm for the field.

Emphasise Lab Experience:Even if it’s just from your studies, lab experience is gold in biotechnology! If you've done any practical work, internships, or university lab projects, chat about those in your CV and cover letter. Highlight the techniques you've learned and the equipment you're familiar with - it's a great way to stand out as an entry-level applicant.

Tailor Your Cover Letter with Passion:Your cover letter’s not just a formality; it’s your chance to show your enthusiasm for the role at Concert Bio! Share why you’re excited about the biotechnology field and how you see yourself growing in this entry-level position. Make it personal and specific to their projects to catch their eye.

Use a Clean and Professional Format:For your application, keep your CV tidy and professional. Use headings and bullet points to make info easy to spot. In biotechnology, clear communication is key, so ensuring your application is well-organised shows that you’ve got that skill down already. And don’t forget to apply through our website for faster processing!

How to prepare for a job interview at Concert Bio

Brush Up on Your Lab Skills

Since you're diving into the biotechnology field, make sure you've got a solid grasp of the key lab techniques like PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culture. They might throw some technical questions at you or even a practical task to gauge your experience, so being ready to chat about your lab coursework or any relevant projects will really help us stand out!

Showcase Your Passion for Science

As this is an entry-level role, your enthusiasm can be just as important as your experience. Share any interesting projects, internships, or even personal experiments you've conducted that relate to biotechnology. It’ll give the interviewers at Concert Bio something to connect with and show that you’re keen to grow in this field.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Biotech often involves collaboration and problem-solving, so be ready for questions about how you’ve worked in teams or tackled challenges. Think of specific instances from your studies where you overcame obstacles or contributed to group projects, as they're likely to probe into how you fit into their work culture.

Familiarise Yourself with Current Trends

Keep yourself updated with the latest developments in biotechnology, like CRISPR technology or personalised medicine. Being able to discuss current trends during your interview at Concert Bio will not only impress them but also show you're genuinely interested in contributing to their cutting-edge work.