Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician in Kilmarnock

Grade and Salary: Grade 5, £26,707 - £31,236 per annum FTE

Working Pattern: Full‑time (35hrs per week); Fixed‑term (35 months)

Reward and Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).

About Our Team: The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) aims to accelerate the commercialisation of the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland, the UK and worldwide. IBioIC’s Bioprocessing Scale‑Up Centre (FlexBio) based at Heriot‑Watt University supports industry and academia, allowing them the opportunity to execute scale‑up studies using state of the art fermentation and downstream processing equipment.

Purpose of Role: FlexBIO is seeking a motivated and skilled Lab Technician to join our dynamic team specialising in fermentation and cell culture scale‑up and downstream processing. This role supports daily technical tasks, equipment maintenance, cleaning, inventory control, purchasing, training assistance and records upkeep.

Key Duties And Responsibilities:

• Technical Support: Assist in the setup, calibration, operation, and monitoring of bioreactors, fermenters, and associated downstream processing equipment. Support the team with project operations and troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with senior scientists and scientists. Aid in the preparation and sterile handling of cultures and media for fermentation and cell culture processes. Aid in the preparation of buffers and reagents for downstream processes and upstream sample analysis. Perform routine cleaning operations on equipment and ensure that this is conducted in compliance with local health and safety procedures.
• Maintenance & Cleaning: Coordinate overall scheduling of equipment maintenance, including requesting RAMS, liaising with building management and service engineers, collating/recording service reports, actioning follow‑up orders. Maintain schedules for cleaning and maintenance of the scale‑up facility and its equipment.
• Inventory & Procurement: Maintain inventory of lab supplies and consumables; assist in purchasing materials to ensure the facility is stocked appropriately with both routine and client consumables. Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for timely and cost‑effective ordering and delivery. Use organisational procurement software to place orders. Record purchasing and receipt in a timely and accurate manner. Assist in maintaining client and project consumable inventory and usage records.
• Documentation & Compliance: Record all relevant data and maintain accurate lab documentation following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and relevant SOPs. Adhere to Process COSHH and risk assessment documentation, biological safety procedures protocols, and maintain a clean, organised, and compliant work environment. Flag hazards as appropriate, especially near‑miss and accidents.
• Training & Collaboration: Provide training to a high standard to newly on‑boarded colleagues and ensure operational continuity. Participate in training and support team members in equipment operation and laboratory procedures. Assist with setup for training courses, including printing of documentation, room organisation and catering. Work collaboratively across departments with the university and IBioIC, ensuring effective communication and efficient workflow within the lab. Attend weekly team meetings and update orally and in writing as matters arise and as requested by the line manager.

Person Specification:

• Essential: At least an HND and/or Bachelor’s qualification in a related subject such as biology, biotechnology or biochemistry or similar, equivalent to SCQF level 8 or higher. Previous experience performing technical support work in a bioprocessing environment, to support cell culture or fermentation bioreactors. Experience of making up large volumes of complex buffer/media (greater than 10 litres). Experience of using and maintaining routine laboratory equipment – e.g., balances, pH meter, spectrophotometer, biosafety cabinets, autoclave etc. Experience conducting routine cleaning of a laboratory workplace – e.g., daily, weekly cleaning of surfaces and equipment. Evidence of excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with a friendly, collaborative approach to working within a team.
• Desirable: Experience of taking and processing samples – e.g., taking samples, analysis and timely reporting results. Experience with routine internal audits – e.g., GLP/inventory. Experience of performing calibrations on bioprocessing equipment. Experience with bioreactors (50L–300L) and/or downstream processing equipment – e.g., performing routine cleaning on larger‑scale lab/pilot scale equipment. Experience of inventory management and procurement processes.

Equality and Diversity Statement: 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.