Research Technician Cell Biology in Cambridge

The Opportunity: AVANTOR Services offers a wide range of laboratory support services designed to save our customers time and money. These services range from centralised glass washing to research technician activities, all supporting our customers and allowing them to recover valuable research time to increase the productivity of their labs.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Research Technician to join our service, providing technical support in the Joint AstraZeneca‑Cancer Research Horizons Functional Genomics Centre (FGC), a unique collaboration between industry and academia, with the goal of identifying novel targets and resistance mechanisms to create new cancer medicines. The FGC is developing and applying advanced CRISPR/Cas technologies to perform genome‑wide screens to interrogate gene function in the context of drug treatment to fully support AZ's pre‑clinical Oncology portfolio.

The jobholder will mainly support the Functional Genomics team in performing routine genome‑wide CRISPR screens and provide general support within both cell culture and molecular biology laboratories. This lab‑based role focuses on delivering FGC's technical support in accordance with Health and Safety and GLS requirements. The candidate will significantly contribute to the practical delivery of genome‑wide CRISPR screens with hands‑on experience in general mammalian tissue culture, and molecular biology techniques including Next Generation Sequencing library preparation will be advantageous. Additional knowledge in experimental set‑ups would also be valuable.

• Carry out all scientific support activities mainly in the cell culture laboratories in accordance with Health and Safety guidelines and local agreements including the regulations governing COSHH, biological agents and genetically modified organisms as detailed in relevant AZ risk assessments.
• Be an effective member of the Functional Genomics team supporting project teams to meet their objectives.
• Supporting general day‑to‑day laboratory activities within cell culture labs as required and directed by the lead lab representative, for example:

• Preparing and aliquoting cell culture reagents and maintaining stock levels.
• General housekeeping including organising and participating in lab cleaning rotas.

• Sterile culture of mammalian cells.
• Measuring growth kinetics of mammalian cells.
• Performing antibiotics kill curves.
• Generation and testing of Lentiviruses.
• Generation of Cas9 cell lines.
• Performing genome‑wide CRISPR screens.

• Educated to bachelor’s degree level or similar with at least 6 months laboratory experience in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Practical experience of mammalian cell culture.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to work on own initiative and unsupervised to deadlines, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work showing well‑developed organisational and time management skills.
• Outstanding communication skills on all levels, problem solving capabilities and ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to deal promptly, effectively and courteously with requests for information and to use initiative in solving problems and responding to queries ensuring compliance with standard procedures and practices.
• Computer literate: articulate, confident and competent in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel with experience of using databases, analytical packages and presenting data using standard techniques e.g. PowerPoint, spreadsheets, computerised reports etc.
• Able to adapt emerging best practices and industry innovations.
• Ability to support a project manager and deliver to agreed deadlines.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively.
• Highly organised and self‑motivated.
• Clear, concise written and spoken communication skills.
• Good problem‑solving capabilities and confidence to react promptly to deliver the best service possible.
• Good time management skills, ability to be flexible and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic IT skills (including Microsoft Word/ Excel).

This opportunity not only offers the chance to work in a dynamic growing R&D team but also in a company that is looking to expand in an exciting area of research. This position also offers a competitive salary and benefits package, with a flexible approach to work in line with your qualifications and experience. This is a 12‑month assignment.