Media and Glass Technician - Generative Biology Institute Generative Biology Institute Oxford, England, United Kingdom

At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), we're on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges in four transformative areas: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing CO, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics. This is ambitious work - work that demands curiosity, courage, and a relentless drive to make a difference.

Welcome to the Generative Biology Institute: Led by Founding Director Jason Chin, the Generative Biology Institute (GBI) at the Ellison Institute of Technology is tackling the key challenges in making biology engineerable and thereby unlocking the unrivalled power of biology for the benefit of humanity. The vision of the GBI is to lay the foundations for engineering biology and unlock its potential for good. To achieve this, we must overcome two key challenges. First, we need the ability to write in the natural language of biology, enabling the rapid and scalable synthesis of entire genomes with precision. Second, we must understand what to write - determining which DNA sequences will generate biological systems that perform the desired functions. Addressing these challenges will allow us to harness the full power of biology to create transformative solutions across health, agriculture, clean energy and more.

Your Role: At EIT, we are seeking an experienced and detail-orientated Media & Glass Technician to provide a critical laboratory support service underpinning high-quality research at the Generative Biology Institute. This role combines media preparation and glassware services, ensuring laboratories are supplied with sterile, reliable, and ready-to-use materials. Working as part of the Media & Glass Team, you will enable researchers to focus on their scientific work by delivering consistent, high-quality laboratory support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare a wide range of laboratory media, buffers, agar plates, and solutions in accordance with approved formulations, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and research requirements.
• Accurately calculate and adjust osmolarity, pH, concentrations, reagent volumes, and dilutions when preparing laboratory media and solutions.
• Ensure all media is prepared using aseptic techniques and appropriate quality standards to minimise the risk of contamination.
• Collect, wash, sterilise, inspect, and redistribute laboratory glassware, plastics, and reusable consumables to support research activities.
• Operate autoclaves, glasswashers, and other laboratory equipment, carrying out routine operational checks, basic troubleshooting, and reporting faults where required.
• Perform routine quality control checks on prepared media and sterilisation processes to ensure consistency and reliability.
• Maintain accurate records of media preparation, sterilisation cycles, equipment checks, and batch information, ensuring full traceability and compliance with laboratory procedures.
• Monitor stock levels of media components, chemicals, cleaning materials, and laboratory consumables, notifying the appropriate person when replenishment is required.
• Carry out regular stock checks and monitor expiry dates to ensure materials remain suitable for laboratory use.
• Respond to laboratory requests in a timely manner, ensuring media, sterile consumables, and glassware are available to support research activities.
• Build positive working relationships with researchers by providing a professional, responsive, and customer-focused service.
• Assist with troubleshooting routine media preparation or equipment issues and escape more complex problems where appropriate.
• Contribute to the review and continuous improvement of laboratory procedures and working practices.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and safe working environment in accordance with Health & Safety, COSHH, and institutional policies, including the appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Support routine equipment maintenance, validation activities, and service visits as required.
• Assist in the induction and training of new staff or students where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively within the Media & Glass team to provide a reliable, responsive, and high-quality service to researchers.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• A degree in Microbiology, Biology, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Experience in media preparation and/or laboratory technical services within research, academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or industrial laboratory environment.
• Strong understanding of microbiological techniques, aseptic working practices, contamination control, and sterilisation principles.
• Ability to prepare a wide range of laboratory media, buffers, solutions, and agar plates from formulations, with a sound understanding of the function of individual media components.
• Ability to accurately calculate and adjust osmolarity, pH, concentrations, reagent volumes, and dilutions when preparing laboratory media and solutions.
• Understanding of quality control principles, including maintaining accurate preparation records, batch documentation, and traceability.
• Experience operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting autoclaves, glasswashers, and other laboratory support equipment.
• Knowledge of equipment validation, routine performance checks, and preventative maintenance.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety legislation, COSHH, biological and chemical safety, waste management, and safe laboratory working practices.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise multiple requests and work effectively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative and service-focused approach.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic record-keeping systems.
• Ability to work independently, identify issues proactively, and contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory support services.

Our Benefits:

• Travel Allowance
• Bonus
• Enhanced holiday
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance as standard for you, your partner and any dependents.
• Including hospital Cash Plan
• Employee discounts
• Electric car scheme
• Nursery Salary Sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Family Planning
• Neurodiversity support including advice and assessments
• Coaching & Therapy services

Working Together - What It Involves:

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate).
• This is a fully onsite role. During peak periods, some longer hours may be required.