Salary: £29,588 with progression to £31,236 per annum
The Role
Are you a hands‑on laboratory professional looking to play a vital role in supporting world‑class teaching and research? The School of Engineering at Newcastle University is seeking a motivated and proactive Chemical and Biological Laboratory Technician to join our friendly and highly skilled technical team within the School of Engineering.
About the role
As part of a collaborative technical team, you will help ensure our laboratories run smoothly, safely, and effectively. Your work will directly support students, researchers, and academic staff, helping them deliver high‑quality experimental work.
Key responsibilities
- Preparing laboratories, equipment, and consumables for teaching and research activities
- Supporting and guiding students during lab sessions
- Delivering training and practical guidance on laboratory techniques and best practice
- Maintaining laboratory equipment and ensuring facilities are well organised
- Managing stock, ordering consumables, and maintaining accurate inventories
- Supporting health and safety processes, including risk assessments, SOPs, and waste management
- Supporting fieldwork and sample collection, working alongside researchers at off‑site locations
About you
We are looking for someone who enjoys practical problem‑solving and takes pride in keeping lab environments running efficiently.
Skills and experience
- Experience working in a chemical or biological laboratory environment
- Knowledge of health and safety procedures, including COSHH and risk assessments
- Experience supporting lab operations such as equipment maintenance, stock control, or lab preparation
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- A positive, flexible approach and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Good communication skills, with confidence supporting students and colleagues
- Experience with microbiological or molecular techniques and field sampling would be advantageous but not essential
What the role offers
- Work in a supportive and collaborative environment
- Gain exposure to a wide range of laboratory techniques and equipment
- Contribute to impactful teaching and research activities
- Have opportunities to develop your technical skills and career
Benefits
Benefits include an excellent pension, flexible working options, 42 days holiday (including public holidays and 4 University closure days), discounted travel for the Metro and local bus services, and discounts for national retailers.
Further information
This is a full‑time, open‑ended position.
Key accountabilities
- To support the operation of the laboratories to ensure effective use and availability for teaching and research. Assist with the training of staff and students in appropriate laboratory techniques and best practice to ensure that they are able to carry out their work in a safe and effective way
- To monitor the satisfactory operation of laboratory equipment, reporting any defects to the relevant senior technician or technical team leader. Assist in the operation of, and perform preventative maintenance and calibration on equipment and instruments, using standard operating procedures (SOPs), user manuals, manufacturers’ instructions and diagrams
- To be responsible for keeping up to date with relevant health and safety (H&S) legislation, codes of practice and regulations to ensure safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. In conjunction with the technical team, monitor compliance of staff and students with all statutory and local safety arrangements
- To assist the technical team with the development and monitoring of H&S paperwork such as risk assessments and SOPs. Maintain up to date records of any H&S issues, maintenance etc
- To support the general running of core technical services, including maintaining inventories, organising lab coat laundry, hazardous waste disposal, monitoring gas and cryogenics use, and maintenance of facilities
- To contribute to regular team meetings, health and safety processes and laboratory audits
- To determine laboratory requirements, and initiate purchase orders following school and university procedures to ensure adequate availability of chemicals, materials and equipment for research and teaching activities within the laboratories that the role supports. Maintain financial records of these purchases as directed by the technical team leader
- To contribute ideas to aid the development of experiments, apparatus, instruments, and facilities, in order to ensure the best teaching and research outcomes in the laboratories that the role supports
- Assist with the collection of samples as part of ongoing research, teaching or commercial outreach activities. In accordance with appropriate standards, undertake water quality analysis and molecular/microbiological techniques when required to provide data and results for interpretation, processing and archiving
- Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required
The Person
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Experience of working in a relevant technical role within a chemical or biological lab environment and of using a range of laboratory equipment
- Experience of supporting lab infrastructure, including inventories, instrumentation and equipment maintenance
- Demonstrates effective team working skills and sustainable practices within a lab environment
- Up‑to‑date knowledge of health and safety procedures in a lab setting. Including experience of writing risk assessments, COSHH and standard operating procedures
- Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
- Proven written and verbal communication skills
- Experience of microbiological and/or molecular biological techniques
Attributes and behaviour
- Demonstrates flexibility and teamwork by supporting colleagues, sharing workloads, and communicating progress clearly
- Collaborates effectively, sharing knowledge and respecting others’ expertise to enhance team efficiency and decision‑making
- Works in a structured, detail‑orientated manner, prioritising tasks and resources to meet targets and maintain high service standards
- Proactively identifies and implements process improvements to optimise performance
- Embraces change and contributes to a culture of innovation and continuous learning
Qualifications
- National Certificate in Science (or equivalent Level 3 qualification); or relevant technical experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and on‑the‑job experience
- Higher National Certificate in Science (or equivalent Level 4 qualification)
- Full UK driving licence for field work activities
Equality and diversity
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are a proud equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
