Research Technician

The purpose of this role is to carry out manufacturing activities to GMP standards within the Scientific Preparation Facility using the OneLab electronic laboratory notebook. The Research Technician ensures their knowledge of methods used in the Macclesfield laboratories is fully utilised to make improvements to products and processes so that they exceed customer expectations. The Research Technician will liaise with the customer when any new products are requested and have the technical understanding and confidence to be able to suggest improvements to the formulation or method requested.

The Research Technician looks for sustainability changes and for ways to make the service more cost-effective whilst maintaining an outstanding level of quality.

POSITION PROFILE

The Research Technician role within the Scientific Preparation GMP Facility is typically someone who has multiple years' experience working in a laboratory environment and has a technical understanding of the products that are used on the Macclesfield site (both analyst prepared and externally purchased) and be able to proactively provide comparable in-house prepared alternatives to the customer. This role supports on-site science by preparing a wide variety of medias, buffers and solutions, ensuring they meet the end users' requirements and agreed standards. The role will typically include manufacture of products, facility operational activities, liaising with key Customers and ensuring standards and SLAs are adhered to.

Major Job Duties And Responsibilities

• To perform standard and advanced activities as per defined scope of work and to agreed timelines. Follows agreed procedures and documents all activities.
• Carry out daily manufacture of products to a consistently high standard - in line with SHE, GMP & local agreements. Activities include accurately weighing and batch recording chemicals, product manufacture, operation of equipment, dispensing, and liquid measuring techniques.
• Complete electronic batch records to a high standard utilising electronic notebook software, raising errors to the Technical Support Specialist.
• Perform routine equipment preventative maintenance and calibration tasks, ensuring equipment faults are reported and monitored in line with local procedures (e.g. balances, water system).
• Review product formulations and methods and liaise with the customer to advise on improvements.
• Research new methods and keep updated with method changes to stay ahead of the curve.
• Make sustainability improvements and use knowledge of Green Chemistry to meet customer sustainability targets.
• To proactively deliver a high-quality service, managing workload and service levels as an individual and as part of the team.
• General laboratory housekeeping, glassware washing, equipment cleaning and operational readiness, GMP laboratory procedures.
• Management of laboratory waste streams ensuring all waste is handled according to agreed processes and delivered to the waste service provider with the correct documentation and labelling.
• Daily use of the Avantor Inventory Management system to maintain supply of the laboratory chemicals and consumables within the facility.
• Provides a specific point of contact for defined area on Campus, ensuring excellent Customer service is provided whilst working closely with the area Avantor Lab Support team.
• Adheres to all Health and Safety regulations and promotes this ethos within the broader Avantor team by taking on specific roles to support area manager (e.g. safety documentation creation, GEMBAs lead).
• Proactively identifies, raises, leads and implements process improvement opportunities.
• Following a 'One Team' approach, provides cover for colleagues when required. Provide support, guidance and training to new research technicians sharing experience to ensure high standards are maintained.
• Work with the Technical Support Specialist and area manager to support change controls, deviations, audit requests and associated quality events.
• Provide key metrics in line with relevant KPI's and defined SLA's.

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level in a scientific subject (or equivalent) and at least 1 year of GMP operational laboratory experience.
• Health and Safety qualifications an advantage.

KNOWLEDGE

• 1-2 years' experience of working in a laboratory environment.
• Experience of working to Health and Safety regulations in the laboratory environment.
• Understanding and experience of a customer service role, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Experience in working to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and knowledge of working to GxP or in regulated laboratory environments.
• An understanding of GMP in the Pharma industry.
• Strong understanding of scientific product preparation (media, buffer, eluent, mobile phases).
• Knowledge of analytical testing or microbiological testing of pharmaceuticals desirable.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills and ability to convey a message to all levels of the organisation.
• Proficient in the use of IT equipment as part of daily role including laptop and smartphone.
• Proficient in using Microsoft O365 systems including Teams, Word, Excel etc.
• Excellent planning and time-management skills.
• Good written communication and document writing skills.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Identifying, implementing, and sharing continual improvements and innovations.
• Ability to formally present information to an audience.

Abilities

• Proven willingness to work flexibly in a team and independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Excellent customer service focus and ability to work collaboratively to understand customer needs and manage expectations.
• A good team worker demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and team members.
• Self-motivated to deliver a high-quality service.
• Proven ability to take on new activities in an efficient manner and to support and train others to a level of competency with the role.
• Strives for excellence and not afraid to propose new ways of working to drive quality.
• Leads by example and shows respect for co-workers and demonstrates positive attitude.
• Ability to change plans or priorities to deliver team goals and to meet customer SLAs.

ENVIRONMENTAL Working Conditions

• Mainly laboratory based with an element of office-based work.
• A laboratory dress code, including the correct use of PPE, must be adhered to at all times when working in the Scientific Preparation Laboratory.
• This role involves working with hazardous chemicals and flammable solvents (following COSHH and risk assessments).
• Work is mostly physically demanding and will require a large part of the day spent walking and standing therefore, a good level of fitness is required.
• Manual handling of items (weighing typically less than 20 kg) requiring bending, reaching, lifting or carrying objects are daily tasks.
• Computer/DSE work.