Technician - Histology in Glasgow

Job Purpose

To supervise and deliver high quality technical services in histopathology within Veterinary Diagnostic Services (VDS) and our Histology research service to support commercial diagnostics, research projects and teaching laboratories, including providing specialist technical expertise in the relevant discipline. Working under the remit of the Laboratory Manager, you will assist in the organisation and efficient usage of the Histology laboratory in support of all 3 activity streams: diagnostics, research and teaching support. In the absence of the Laboratory Manager, you will be expected to step up and oversee daily operations to ensure the uninterrupted and smooth running of the laboratory. In addition, the postholder may be responsible for overseeing practical skills laboratory workshops for undergraduate students as part of their degree courses and individual tuition of post-graduate students.

We are seeking an experienced histologist who is actively practicing histology and is highly proficient in all core histology duties.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Maintain the high-quality rapid turnaround in both histopathology and immunohistochemistry(IHC)whileremainingcogniscent of changing stakeholder needs.Perform core histopathology techniques, grossing, embedding, microtomy, staining and IHC.Responsibility for the development and maintenance of newrevenuestreams,sodeveloping the commercial diagnostic,researchand teaching capabilities of the service.
2. To maintain the groups laboratory equipment, diagnose and troubleshoot day to day problems relating to equipment, techniques, procedures and protocols, carrying out appropriate maintenance as required.
3. In liaison with the laboratory manager, monitor technical standards, advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.
4. Plan and organise day to day workload to ensure that all diagnostic and research deadlines are delivered within previously agreed timescales.
5. Contribute to the well organised function of the laboratory and assist in maintaining stock levels, purchasing of consumables and supplies.
6. Ensure accuracy and precision of results and that agreed methods of both internal and external quality control are fully operative and followed. Accurate maintenance of results database. Ensuring logbooks and documentation of analysis areaccurateand up to date.
7. Supervise the training of junior technicians, postgraduate students and researchers in histopathology techniques, theory, safe laboratorypracticeand sample handling.
8. Keep abreast of recent advances in histopathology and immunohistopathology techniques including available markerstoimprove current practice and range of available histology and immunohistochemistry testing which may be provided. Validate new antibodies using recognised laboratory methods.
9. Maintain and update COSHH assessments, risk assessments,healthand safety policies. Production and maintenance of standard operating procedures and production of laboratory quick-start user guides.
10. Teach undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and other persons including junior colleaguesin histology theory andtechniques. Plan, organise and prepare teaching material forundergraduatepractical classes and examinations.Act as the main point of contact between the technical team,teachingstaffand undergraduate school administrators.
11. Identifyand engage in professional development asappropriate, developing diagnostic, teaching and research support skillstohelpdisseminatethese skills to colleagues.
12. Where required, supervise staff and delegate workload to other members of the team, monitoring progress and performance.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

• A1Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 [Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role
• A2In depth theoretical knowledge and extensive practical skills in a wide range of diagnostic and research techniquesand extensive knowledge of the operation of diagnostic laboratory equipmentrelating to histopathology.
• A3Up to date knowledge of relevant Health andSafety legislation

Desirable

• B1Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent in a related subject.
• B2 Knowledge and disease and pathogenesis.

Skills

Essential

• C1Demonstrable specialist technical skills aligned to the specified discipline including skills in specialist equipment/systems/techniques. Details of the discipline are as described in the post-specific information and advert.
• C2Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packagesand digital slide scanning and image manipulation.
• C3Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, includingahigh degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• C4Excellent teamworking skills andthe ability to work independently whenrequired.
• C5Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a range of service users with varying degrees of ability and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.
• C6Ability to plan and prioritise work of self and others, along with allocation of resources, to meet the needs of service users.

Desirable

• D1Monitoring,documentingand understanding internal and external Quality Control (QC).

Experience

Essential

• E1Significant relevant experience of providing high quality technical services in a complex lab environment.
• E2Experience of working with a range of technical service users, with varying degrees of ability, ensuring their experience isoptimal.
• E3Experience of establishingand managing Standing Operating Procedures to ensure the smooth, efficient, and legal running of the lab including experience of establishingHealth and Safety procedures for service users, or other legal requirements(where applicable).
• E4Proven experience of managing competing demands in a fast-paced technical service environment.

Desirable

• F1Experience of teaching practical skills.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Closing date

30 July 2026

Visa and sponsorship

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.