At a Glance
- Tasks: Support practical teaching in labs, manage a team, and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join a leading research university with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, flexible working, and generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Part-time role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your technical skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's in biological sciences and experience in lab teaching support.
The predicted salary is between 32080 - 36636 € per year.
The School of Biosciences is looking for a talented technician position to support practical teaching in the Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Laboratories. The role involves working with the Technical Specialist: Education and academics to provide excellent teaching support throughout the semester and in development activities out of semester. The successful candidate will supervise a small team and help build a multidisciplinary team that meets the needs of the whole school.
Responsibilities
- Provide specialist technical support in UG and PGT laboratory teaching for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programmes, coordinating reagent/material preparation, resource allocation, and ensuring equipment and spaces are fit for use.
- Act as the main point of contact for the technical team and academic enquiries, liaising with staff to establish timetables, smooth running of practical classes, and improve sessions.
- Carry out experimental work to develop or refine practicals.
- Line‑manage a small team of technicians, delegating tasks, managing workloads, monitoring performance and conducting annual reviews.
- Provide training for the technical team in specialist techniques, equipment and teaching support, and coach staff/students.
- Ensure health and safety of the work area, create, amend and revise documentation to maintain compliance.
- Manage specialist equipment, arrange servicing and maintenance with the Technical Operations Team.
- Manage IT requirements for practical teaching, ensuring software availability and maintaining online resources.
- Take delegated responsibility for budgets and work with the Technical Specialist: Education to plan and prioritise spending.
- Collaborate with the Technical Specialist: Education and other team leaders to share best practice and allocate resources.
- Create and maintain records/documents to underpin a robust support service and ensure business continuity.
- Attend meetings, represent operational activities and contribute to planning.
- Contribute to a culture where all staff and students are treated fairly, welcomed and thrive.
- Demonstrate commitment to behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework and embed the University sustainability strategy.
- Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
- Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or equivalent experience – Essential.
- Well‑developed knowledge and practical experience in molecular biology (including biochemistry, microbiology, genetics) – Essential.
- Experience providing technical support for large‑group laboratory teaching at BSc or MSc level – Essential.
- Ability to apply relevant approaches and techniques for training and demonstration – Essential.
- Extensive experience providing an effective technical support service, planning and prioritising workload – Essential.
- Understanding and compliance with statutory, quality, environmental, organisational and health and safety regulations – Essential.
- Strong customer service orientation and ability to identify and respond to needs – Essential.
- Proven ability to create and maintain records/documents/systems with excellent attention to detail – Essential.
- Effective communication with colleagues, students and staff – Essential.
- Technical Professional Registration or willingness to work towards it – Essential.
- IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent qualification – Desirable.
- Experience of managing others, delegating tasks, managing workloads, ensuring competency and supporting development – Desirable.
Benefits
- Minimum of 38 days annual leave (including bank holidays) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- Access to staff networks (Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition awards to reward staff who go above and beyond.
- Commitment to development – learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route.
- Family‑friendly policies such as paid time off for parenting, fertility treatment, menopause support and more.
Further Information
- Grade: 6
- Salary: £32,080 – £36,636 per annum, pro rata
- Work arrangement: Part‑time (17.5 hours per week)
- Duration: Fixed‑term from 29 June 2026 for a period of 12 months
- Line manager: Technical Specialist
- Direct reports: Technician (Grade 5) and Support Technician (Grade 4)
- Closing Date: 10/6/2026
We are a Disability Confident Leader and a research university with a global reputation for excellence.
Senior Technician: Education (Molecular Bioscience) in Sheffield employer: Diversity Dashboard
The School of Biosciences offers an exceptional work environment for the Senior Technician: Education role, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. With a commitment to employee development through mentoring schemes and a generous benefits package including 38 days of annual leave and flexible working options, staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in a prestigious research university, this position not only supports cutting-edge education but also contributes to a diverse and inclusive community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technician: Education (Molecular Bioscience) in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the biosciences field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to technical support and team management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects or challenges you've tackled in molecular bioscience. We want to hear about your practical skills and how you’ve contributed to teaching support in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technician: Education (Molecular Bioscience) in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Technician role. Highlight your experience in molecular bioscience and any relevant technical support you've provided in lab settings. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about education in biosciences and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Team Management Skills:Since you'll be managing a small team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've successfully delegated tasks and supported others in their development. We value collaboration and want to know how you can help build our multidisciplinary team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our community at StudySmarter. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your molecular bioscience knowledge, especially in biochemistry and genetics. Be ready to discuss your practical experience and how it relates to the role, as well as any specific techniques you've mastered.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a small team, be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience. Talk about how you've delegated tasks, supported team development, and ensured smooth operations in previous roles.
✨Health and Safety First
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to laboratory environments. Be ready to discuss how you've maintained compliance in past positions and how you would ensure a safe working environment for students and staff.
✨Communication is Key
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Think of examples where you've successfully liaised with colleagues or students to resolve issues or improve processes. Highlight your customer service orientation and how you respond to the needs of others.
