Glioma Technician

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This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced technician to play a key role in the recently established Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence. The post holder will manage and deliver in vitro and in vivo glioma services and experiments within the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre and the CRUK Scotland Institute. They will work with world-leading group leaders, post-doctoral scientists, PhD and MSc students to design and undertake high quality experiments aimed at developing and evaluating better treatments for patients with glioblastoma and other brain tumours.

In addition, the post holder will have responsibility for the organisation and efficient usage of laboratory space and facilities, including equipment, apparatus and consumables, and day-to-day management of specialist facilities and technical support staff. The postholder may also be responsible for overseeing practical skills training and workshops for students. They will provide comprehensive management and senior technical leadership to laboratory and service users and be responsible for the planning, design, delivery and safe operation of specialist technical resources to optimise research outputs.

The successful candidate will have significant breadth or depth of technical knowledge and be recognised as an expert in the field of preclinical cancer or neuroscience research. They will have up to date knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.

Job Purpose

Provide comprehensive management and senior technical leadership to laboratory and service users within the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, including PIs, researchers, post-graduate and undergraduate students. Provide specialist technical expertise in preclinical models of glioma (in vitro and in vivo) and be responsible for the planning, design, delivery and safe operation of specialist technical resources to optimise research outputs. They will work with researchers in the team to refine existing models of glioma, develop and optimise new preclinical models and use the models to evaluate novel treatment strategies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Be responsible for all managerial aspects of the laboratory including contributing to the strategic direction of research, provision of specialist advice and training to service users, management of resources (including technical and operational staff) and responsibility for health and safety.

2. Undertake specialist technical aspects of the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, including taking a leading role in the planning and conduct of objectives in accordance with the research strategy.

3. Take a leading role in identifying and developing research/experimental methods and developing new and bespoke approaches to optimise research and training outputs.

4. Using detailed specialist knowledge, advise and train service users in all technical aspects of the research/teaching service. Where required, undertake supervision of undergraduate and/or post-graduate students to ensure learning outcomes are optimised.

5. Manage all aspects of laboratory operations including financial management, resource allocation, grant monitoring, tendering, purchasing, ordering, and financial projections. Create, implement and regularly review Standard Operating Procedures for service users, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, University policy, and best practice.

6. Develop and enhance the research/teaching profile and reputation of the University/College/School/Centre of Excellence through contributing to publications of international quality in high profile journals, contribution to the presentation of work at international and national conferences and maximising the research impact in terms of economic and societal benefit.

7. Keep up to date with developments in relevant research and technical areas and within the broader discipline to ensure contributions to research goals are optimised. Utilise specialist knowledge to contribute to overall research/teaching strategy/

8. Document experimental outputs including analysis and interpretation of all data to publication standard. Maintain complex and/or high-volume databases and records, creating technical or progress reports and papers.

9. Troubleshoot complex technical problems and undertake complex data analysis, identifying trends, problems or anomalies, and present findings clearly to the research group including proposals for action and mitigation.

10. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with requirements, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the Centre of Excellence and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI and/or relevant internal or external bodies in a timely manner.

11. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/School/Centre of Excellence and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of research and teaching aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University, including the Technician Commitment key themes https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/ Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Head of Service/School/Centre of Excellence.

12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together and contribute to outreach activities.

Knowledge, Qualification, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4] or equivalent, (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2. Significant breath or depth of specialist technical knowledge and recognised as an expert in the relevant discipline.

A3. Demonstrable knowledge of relevant legislative requirements applicable to the role,including by not limited to Health and Safety.

Desirable:

B1. PhD or Higher Degree in relevant discipline

Skills:

Essential:

C1. Expertise in establishing and utilising preclinical models of cancer including complex in vitro models and in vivo models.

C2. Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant word processing and data analysis software packages.

C3. Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex and/or high volume datasets

C4. Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret complex technical requirements of a research or training group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.

C5. Excellent teamworking and people management skills, with ability to collaborate with multiple internal and external stakeholders for effective project management.

C6. Ability to plan and prioritise a technical service to meet long term strategic objectives, whilst delivering a day-to-day service.

Desirable:

D1. Expertise and demonstrable skills in establishing, treating and monitoring rodent intracranial brain tumour models.

Experience:

Essential:

E1. Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.

E2. Experience of contributing to the development of a research strategy, planning resource allocation and achieving high-quality research outputs.

E3. Experience of managing high value budgets, including knowledge of procurement and tendering processes to inform decision making, approving spends and monitoring expenditure on behalf of others.

E4. Experience of analysis and presentation of data to publication standard.

E5. Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 – £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended with funding for up to 24 months in the first instance. There is the possibility of a further 24 months funding pending a successful mid-term review by the funders.

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Anthony Chalmers: Anthony.Chalmers@glasgow.ac.uk

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.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. 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.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Monday 15th September 2025

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