Technician - Animal Models & Histology in Sheffield

As a Technician you will work as an integral member of the School’s core technical team. Reporting to Senior Technicians and Technical Managers, you will assist in the planning, design, and execution of a range of experimental procedures in addition to maintaining a range of specialist equipment to support research activities. You will provide technical expertise to undergraduate projects, postgraduate projects and to colleagues, alongside administration duties such as record keeping and ordering consumables. You will adopt high working standards to ensure the School’s technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide technical support to our mammalian model research activities, assisting researchers and performing husbandry and experimental duties with minimal supervision from senior colleagues.
• Support the daily running of the School’s histology laboratories to ensure continued safe and reliable service excellence. Perform research experiments as required with a good level of independence, providing troubleshooting and data analysis support.
• Present data and results to research groups and wider audiences as required.
• Perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research work, with a good appreciation for legal and ethical compliance and confidentiality.
• Maintain lab databases, including CoSHH, husbandry records, stocks, etc.
• Provide a high-quality, detailed and effective technical service across the School. Liaise with colleagues regarding potential work, provide guidance, and carry out experimental procedures. Where required provide cost estimates and timescales for work and work materials.
• Provide technical advice and training/demonstrations in the use of specialised equipment to staff, students, and visitors, ensuring that Health and Safety is maintained throughout.
• Support the School and assist in the delivery of practical teaching for UG and PGT courses.
• Contribute to short term projects within own work area or contribute as part of larger, School-wide project teams to support the achievement of project objectives.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students, and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues as appropriate.
• Use, monitor and maintain a range of general and specialist technical equipment to meet the needs of the School with regard to teaching and experimental work, ensuring minimum impact is caused by faulty equipment. Be involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques. This involves installing, monitoring and maintaining technical equipment and systems.
• Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations. Provide safety information to staff and students and assist with creating relevant safety documentation. Maintain appropriate records for own work area and report breaches of H&S to senior colleagues. Attend all required safety and training courses, and comply with required safety, licensing and ethical regulations at all times.
• Work collaboratively across the School providing support, advice and guidance when required.
• As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Sheffield Professional Framework.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

• A Degree or Higher National Diploma in a relevant scientific field (or have equivalent experience).
• Previous experience in and a good working knowledge of mammalian model research including husbandry and colony management as well as a range of invasive and non-invasive techniques.
• Previous experience in and a good working knowledge of histology techniques including tissue processing and sectioning, various staining methods and sample preservation.
• Excellent knowledge of safe working practices and experience of applying Health & Safety in a laboratory environment.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate to academic, research and technical staff at all levels within the organisation.
• Technical professional registration or the willingness to work toward this.
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving, with an appreciation of longer-term implications.
• Ability to work effectively within a team whilst also being able to work independently when required, actively contributing to the future success of the immediate work area.
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities around tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to effectively trouble-shoot experimental procedures and protocols.
• Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts.

Further information

• Grade: 5
• Salary: £27,319 - £31,236
• Work arrangement: Full-time
• Duration: Open ended
• Line manager: Ian Coldicott
• Direct reports: N/A

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place shortly after the advert closing date. This will consist of a job interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week following the advert closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing Team.

What We Offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development.
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield.