Senior Technician in Abingdon

About Us

We are a team of passionate individuals, developing ground‑breaking biological technologies designed to sustainably and safely control pests that transmit disease, destroy crops and harm livestock. We do this work to improve lives and livelihoods around the world in the face of the growing threats that pests pose to human health and the global food supply. Oxitec is about people and is in service to people. We are strongly committed to a set of values, principles, and behaviours, and foster a culture of trust, respect, creativity, and accountability.

Purpose of the Job

As a Senior Technician for Oxitec, you will join a dynamic project dedicated to the research and development of our self‑limiting technology in insects that spread disease, damage crops and harm livestock. You will join our Rearing Development team, who are focused on the invention and validation of new processes and equipment that allow us to rear and deploy world‑leading quantities of high‑quality insects. You will work with multiple insect colonies, delivering them to the relevant teams across the department, who are working towards optimised rearing processes and novel deployment technology. In alignment with the project scope, you will work under the direction of a Scientist and the Team Lead to support the establishment of insect/arthropod colonies and execute experimental protocols that are focused on delivering results and progress, measurable against company priorities.

To be successful at this job, you will need to show a keen interest in insect biology, have a self‑starting attitude, show strong organisational skills, and demonstrate original thinking and attention to detail. Your duties will range widely from looking after our insect colonies and/or laboratory equipment, assisting with experimental set‑up and data collection, as well as helping to maintain a safe and functional working environment. You will be able to record data precisely and timely, and provide clear communication to your line manager. You will be able to manage both planned and unplanned workstreams, responding to company priorities. You will be able to work independently while maintaining a strong team ethos, to demonstrate good laboratory practices, and to follow SOPs. Excellent communication skills and an enthusiasm for Oxitec's mission are essential.

Responsibilities

• Running experiments according to specified protocols to develop and test rearing equipment and processes.
• Assist engineers with experimental testing to ensure rapid iterations and progress.
• Ensure insects are available at appropriate scale and on time to ensure successful delivery of new approaches.
• Maintain insect colonies and conduct experiments according to specified protocols.
• Carry out collection, recording, preliminary analysis & presentation of experimental data within internal team environment.
• Carefully record data and document activities and processes within laboratory books or other applicable records.
• Support the smooth running of the laboratory, maintaining tidiness, improving processes and supporting the team's compliance to established procedures, regulations and health and safety.
• Preparation and maintenance of laboratory stock solutions, insect diets and equipment, including ordering of laboratory supplies.
• Manage and train any direct report in line with SOPs and training records.
• Maintain up to date health and safety records and write and update SOPs, COSHH and risk assessments.
• Provide clear communication to the strain development scientist and team lead on experimental status.
• Follow Health & Safety and containment requirements for all activities.
• Providing occasional weekend support as part of a rota within the R&D team.

Skills, Experience, And Education Requirements

• Educated to BSc level or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working in a biological sciences laboratory is preferred, with insect rearing expertise desirable.
• Competency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Have a creative approach to problem solving and the development of applied solutions.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility, thriving and being resilient in an environment of change and ambiguity.

Behavioural Requirements

• Committed to and passionate about the Oxitec mission and values.
• Diligent and organised.
• Comfortable working independently and within a team.
• Adaptable and flexible, thriving and being resilient in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Responsive to the needs of an international business working across different time zones, adapting working patterns in‑line with business requirements.
• Decisive and assertive with a driven and proactive approach.
• Positive, humble, co‑operative, and professional.
• Works with a sense of urgency and solves things promptly.
• Resilient and persistent in an innovative and constantly changing environment.
• Empathetic, with the ability to build effective relationships quickly.
• A team player who believes the success of us all depends on us working together.

Please note that this is a Fixed Term Contract for a period of 6 months. Oxitec is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.