Laboratory Manager

An experienced Laboratory Manager is required to manage a suite of laboratories and a new Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3) Tissue Culture Facility. The successful applicant will manage and support IB3 core facilities providing capabilities in cell culture, centrifugation and autoclaving along with associated specialist laboratory equipment. The applicant will also be responsible for consumable management and ordering, health and safety administration of several wet labs, equipment use and the administration/recharging facility use.

The Laboratory Manager will be responsible for a number of laboratories including the operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, managing the workflow of multiple users, setting up booking systems, minor repair and liaising with external maintenance companies. The post holder will be responsible for the training of PhD students, Research Associates and external users of the facility in lab techniques and procedures. At times, the laboratory manager will be required to support the technical services (line) management with Health and Safety, compliance and maintenance operations across the school.

You should:

• Be educated to degree level in the biological sciences
• Have relevant research laboratory administration experience
• Be proficient in a wide range of laboratory techniques including cell culture

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Laboratory management and support of IB3 core facilities including consumable ordering, health and safety administration, equipment use, and administration/recharging of facilities use.
• Supplying a service of tissue culture to members of the IB3 research institute and associated members of ESRIC including primary cell culture and cell-line maintenance, molecular biology (PCR, sub-cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification).
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment including minor repair and liaising with external maintenance companies.
• Training of staff, PhD students, Research Associates and external users in lab techniques and procedures.
• Managing the workflow of multiple users in the IB3 lab facility, arranging rotas and bookings.
• Assisting Technical Services Management with school (H&S) compliance, maintenance and housekeeping operations.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

Education, Qualifications & Experience:

• Educated to BSc degree level in a Biological Science or equivalent, or substantial relevant experience.
• Experience of laboratory management
• Experience of tissue culture and molecular biological techniques.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.