Teaching Technical Support Supervisor in Edinburgh

The School of Biological Sciences is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Teaching Technical Support Supervisor to join the Biology Teaching Organisation’s technical team to manage the delivery of taught laboratory-based activities in its Ashworth laboratory and provide technical support to its postgraduate taught (PGT) laboratory. This post holder will currently supervise four technical staff based in the Ashworth laboratory and work alongside academic staff in the PGT laboratory.

The team is responsible for sourcing, preparing and setting the materials for a wide range of taught courses, including supporting field work activities. The post-holder will be responsible for the safe and efficient running of the labs, ensuring routine servicing and maintenance of equipment, and for implementation of health and safety policies and procedures. The teaching focus is broad and includes whole organism biology and molecular genetic analysis as well as supporting immunology and developmental biology centred courses.

In the PGT laboratory, the post holder will liaise with the PGT academic teaching team to determine the long-term and week-to-week needs and ensure these are delivered. The role requires skills in molecular techniques, including DNA manipulation and basic cloning methodologies and familiarisation with biochemical techniques (e.g. protein purification). Staff from the Ashworth laboratory will provide basic support to this role. The successful candidate will ideally have a relevant scientific qualification (e.g. HNC/HND, BSc) with proven technical abilities gained from work in a similar environment.

This role operates within a larger team of 13 technical staff delivering the School’s taught undergraduate and postgraduate laboratory programmes, supporting over 1100 students in their activities across all disciplines within the biological sciences. A flexible approach is required to extend support to, and share knowledge with, any of our four teaching laboratories and to support the School’s wider demands. We aim to provide an excellent laboratory experience for students and staff.

Your Skills And Attributes For Success

• A passion for biological sciences with considerable experience of working in either practical teaching or research laboratories.
• Demonstration of successful management of resources and staff in a small to medium-sized operative unit.
• Attainment of a competent and flexible skill set in life sciences disciplines.
• Knowledge, understanding and implementation of Health, Safety and Accessibility policies and procedures.
• Excellent literacy, numeracy and communication skills.

Application Information

As a valued member of our team you can expect a competitive salary, an exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work, and to be part of a diverse and vibrant international community. Comprehensive Staff Benefits include a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages. On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 24 February 2026.