Technical Specialist in Newcastle upon Tyne

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team that includes biologists, structural biologists and chemists that aims to identify new therapeutic approaches to treat cancer. You will join the Cancer Research Horizons Therapeutic Innovation Newcastle Drug Discovery Group that is based in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. You will report to Professor Jane Endicott, Professor Martin Noble and the Institute Technical Manager.

You will provide specialised technical support for protein expression, purification, characterisation, crystallisation and structure determination to a group using structural and chemical biology to understand the roles and mechanisms of diverse proteins to support drug discovery. An in-depth knowledge of technical or scientific practices, methods and procedures gained through experience and/or formal qualification will enable you to provide a range of technical support activities. You must be reliable, flexible and able to work well, both unsupervised and in an interdisciplinary team. Working as part of a professional community you will provide a technical support service to staff and students by mainly following established working patterns, resolving most challenges without reference to more senior colleagues.

Up to two positions funded by Cancer Research UK are available immediately and on a fixed term basis until 25/10/2027. Please note that if you are successful in this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role.

• To be responsible for developing new protocols, under academic direction and following independent literature review.
• To regularly consult with academic staff regarding developing new or improved methods for experimental systems.
• To contribute to the structural biology programme and to be responsible, following consultation with academic staff, for (i) recombinant expression of proteins in insect and bacterial cells; (ii) protein characterization and assay development; (iii) protein crystallization.
• Liaise with bioscience and chemistry colleagues to identify and optimise opportunities for further collaboration.
• To contribute to laboratory meetings e.g. problem solving, internal seminars, journal club.
• Complete a range of routine and complex maintenance activities and repairs.
• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve both routine and complex problems and investigate replacement options.
• Advise on equipment capabilities demonstrating how results can be achieved.
• By developing local procedures, establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment.
• Hold specific safety responsibilities relevant to the specialism.
• Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records.
• Maintain in-depth and up-to-date health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism. Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork.
• Schedule, prioritize and monitor work in line with demands and deadlines.
• Hold delegated responsibility from the academic lead for the planning, operation and supervision of laboratory spaces occupied by the specialism.
• Be a key contributor to specialism development, delivery and planning.
• Contribute to and support change.
• Manage one or more budgets monitoring resource usage.
• Source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment.
• Create, update and implement procedures to deliver an aligned, efficient and effective service.
• Prepare and manufacture specimens/samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction.
• Manage equipment bookings, calculate charges/costs and assist with re-charging.
• Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training covering complex techniques and specialist equipment.
• Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs and mentor junior staff.

• Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical role.
• Experience in project management and priority setting.
• Expertise in contemporary molecular biology techniques.
• Expertise in recombinant protein expression in bacteria and in insect/mammalian cells for structural studies.
• Expertise in protein purification and characterisation.
• Expertise with biochemical and biophysical techniques for assessing protein quality and/or protein-ligand interactions.
• Expertise with protein crystallization.
• Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Demonstrates technical and problem-solving capacity.
• Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines, with a positive and proactive approach to duties and diligence and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to changes in laboratory research priorities.

• Tact, diplomacy and able to handle difficult situations.
• Ability to meet deadlines with effective time and resource management.
• Clear communicator and active listener.
• Consistent and appropriate approach to staff and situations.
• Use of feedback for process improvement and staff development.
• Team player, self-starter and able to manage complex workload.
• Ability to respond enthusiastically and positively to undergraduate students.

• BTEC HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant science subject – preferably biomedical/biochemistry.
• Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 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 proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams.