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Research Technician

Job Description

Salary: £25,285 to £25,948 with progression to £27,396 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 22 June 2023

The Role

You are joining the Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group and will work under the direct supervision of Prof Derek Mann with significant oversight from Prof Fiona Oakley, on an MRC-GSK: Experimental Medicine INitiative to Explore New Therapies (EMINENT) funded project. The research project is jointly funded with Prof Neal Millar at Glasgow University and you will join regular research meetings with the team in Glasgow to present results and discuss the research project.

Based in the laboratories of the Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, at Newcastle University, you will be responsible for day-to-day management of experimental work to investigate fibrosis mechanisms and test novel therapies in established human ex vivo culture models of tissue fibrosis, as well as develop new ex vivo culture methods to model Dupuytren’s disease (DD) and study fibrosis in DD. The project will involve tissue cultures of human ex vivo precision cut slice cultures, as well as using histological, biochemical and molecular approaches.

You will be responsible for collection, processing, analysis, presentation (writing, graph production, image production and oral presentations at national/international conferences) and storage of experimental data in accurate, secure, detailed and up- to-date records of all work carried out to GLP standard.

Reporting to the Technical Manager, you will require specific technical and practical skills and a well-developed working knowledge of technical practices and procedures, acquired by considerable experience on the job and/or vocational training.

You will be working as part of a professional community to provide a technical support service to staff and students by following established working patterns, but there will be a need to resolve most problems without access to more senior colleagues. Your role may involve developing skills in a particular specialist area or planning and supervising the work of others.

For informal enquiries please contact Fiona.Oakley@ncl.ac.uk

Key Accountabilities

• Use ex vivo human liver tissue slice culture modes of fibrosis to study fibrosis biology and test novel therapies
• Develop a novel ex vivo human slice culture model of Dupuytren’s disease and potentially test therapy
• Characterise the tissue slice models using a wide range of molecular and cell biology techniques, including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, FACS, ELISA, RNA extraction, RT-PCR etc., as required
• To facilitate the fibrosis group in other aspects of its operation including contribution to laboratory meetings, contribution to web-based activities and contribution to its public engagement activities
• To facilitate general management and running of the laboratory including routine laboratory cleaning, maintenance, equipment upkeep and ordering of laboratory materials
• Analyse data statistically and have a major input into both the experimental design and methodology
• Manage his/her time effectively and work independently on a day-to-day basis, but also work closely with Project supervisors and other members of the research team
• Attend research seminars and other departmental meetings as required. Contribute to the presentation of results to the group and to the research community in general
• Ensure that all work done in the laboratory complies with the applicable regulations concerning biohazards and radiation
• Arrange equipment maintenance and repair, as necessary
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and scientific publications, as requested by project coordinators
• Comply with University policies, including financial regulations, equal opportunities policy, health and safety policy, promoting race equality policy, information systems security policy, data security and intellectual property rights
• Carry out any other duties, which may arise commensurate with the grade of the post, as requested by the project coordinators
• Complete a range of maintenance activities and repairs
• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve problems and investigate replacement options
• By developing local procedures, establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment
• Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork
• Complete accident reporting
• Maintain broad and up to date health and safety knowledge providing support/advice to others
• Schedule, prioritise and monitor work and performance in line with demands and deadlines
• Hold delegated responsibility from the academic/technical lead for the planning, operation, and supervision of a variety of laboratory spaces
• Organise and facilitate progress and management meetings
• Oversee local record keeping, inventory and asset management
• Monitor resource usage and stores operations
• Source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment
• Create, update and implement procedures to deliver an aligned, efficient and effective service
• Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training covering a broad range of activities (not limited to techniques and equipment)
• Develop a broad knowledge and skills base, sharing with others
• Mentor junior staff
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

• An in depth understanding of cell and molecular biology with a particular focus on tissue fibrosis
• Demonstrable previous skills in cell culture techniques
• Demonstrable previous skills in histology, immunohistochemistry and/or immunofluorescence staining
• RNA extraction from cells and tissue, PCR, real-time PCR (Sybr Green and molecular probe based), ELISA
• Experience/awareness of laboratory Health and Safety issues
• Good teamwork, excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Excellent record-keeping, time management and organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise workload and plan effectively
• Good computer skills, with the ability to graph and statistically analyse data
• Willingness to work outside normal hours when necessary
• Thorough working knowledge of Health and Safety procedures, and experience of safe waste management within a workshop/laboratory environment
• Demonstrable work experience in a relevant technical laboratory role
• Excellent team working skills
• Demonstrates technical and problem solving capability
• Demonstrates good organising ability to meet deadlines with a positive and proactive approach to duties and attention to detail
• Ability to adapt to changes in teaching/research priorities

• Demonstrable previous skills in complex 3D cell models or tissue slices
• Ability to modify and apply new methods to advance the project
• Skills working with clinical specimens and samples
• Specific lab experience specific to role
• Contribute to design and specification of teaching/research activities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills to interface with staff
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and precision
• Work in a collaborative and flexible way
• To exhibit University and Faculty values and principles
• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued
• Ability to respond enthusiastically and positively to undergraduate students

• A-level/HNC standard of education or equivalent in a related subject
• BSc degree in related area (desirable)
• MSc in relevant field (desirable)

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