Assistant Technician - Media Preparation Facility

The Faculty of Life Sciences brings together cutting-edge research and teaching across the biological and biomedical sciences, pharmacy, and neuroscience. Its work addresses major global challenges, including disease, climate change, sustainability, technological change and the data revolution, and inequality. We are ranked 6th globally for Life Sciences, 9th for Biological Sciences and 3rd for Pharmacy & Pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026). The Faculty comprises four academic Divisions: the School of Pharmacy, Biosciences, the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour and the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and includes specialist teaching facilities at the Cruciform Teaching Laboratories. Biosciences is one of the largest Divisions within UCL with 600 staff and 2040 undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, and a leading centre for research and teaching in the biological sciences. It brings together one of the UK’s largest and most diverse life sciences communities, with strong integration across experimental, field, and computational approaches. Research spans evolutionary and population genetics, ecology and the environment, cell and developmental biology, computational biology, neuroscience, and structural and molecular biology. This work is supported by advanced scientific infrastructure and platforms (including light, electron and cryoEM microscopy, NMR, mass spectrometry, molecular biology and genomics) and a large community of 350 postgraduate research students integrated within doctoral research programmes.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Media Preparation Facility. This post will support the research and teaching community by providing routine technical assistance within this platform. The role includes working collaboratively as part of the Media Preparation Facility Technical Team to deliver a reliable and high-quality service to the research and teaching community in relation to providing media for Drosophila melanogaster, C. elegans, and other model organisms. This post will engage with other divisional teams to help implement coordinated practices across the division. This post will work collaboratively with the other members of the Facility Technical Team, and Core Technical Teams, to deliver high quality technical provision, media preparation and administrative support. Continuation of essential research strongly relies on the dependable service the Media Preparation Facility Technical Team provide. To deliver this, the individual must be reliable, adaptable and have excellent problem solving and organisational skills.

Please note: this position requires regular manual handling tasks, including the lifting, moving, and carrying of materials as part of the daily duties.

Main Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• The postholder will support the day-to-day running of the Media Preparation Facility.
• Key duties include contributing to the preparation and dispensing of research media following established recipes and procedures, processing large volumes of reusable glassware, and managing disposal of laboratory waste materials.
• The role also involves maintaining clean and organised facility areas, monitoring stock levels, receiving and storing supplies, operating routine laboratory equipment, and supporting basic equipment maintenance and housekeeping activities.
• The postholder will follow established procedures to help deliver a reliable and efficient service, contribute to safe working practices, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the technical team to support the smooth operation of the facility.

We will consider applications to work on a job share basis wherever possible.

About you

Ideally, you will hold a Level 3 qualification (A-Level, BTEC, NVQ, IB Diploma or equivalent) in a relevant science subject, or have equivalent practical experience. Previous experience working in a laboratory-based environment and a good understanding of workplace and laboratory Health & Safety practices are essential. Some theoretical and practical knowledge of preparing large volumes of media and operating industrial glass washers and autoclaves would be advantageous.

You are a reliable and committed individual with excellent attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work accurately and efficiently in a busy environment. You are organised, able to prioritise tasks effectively, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team. You take initiative, contribute positively to team activities, and are willing to support continuous improvement in the service.

You have good communication and interpersonal skills with a flexible and helpful approach to work. You are a positive team player who actively contributes and supports colleagues, and value continuous learning and constructive feedback.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.