General Bioscience Technician (Life Sciences)

Job description

Service: AV & Technical Resources

Full time, 1.0FTE

Closing date: 21st October 2026

Interview date: 6th November 2026 (In Person)

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this role. Candidates who apply for this role must already hold the legal right to work in the UK.

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Job Description

Job Description

Job title: General Bioscience Technician

Reports to: Technical Team Leader

Service: AV and Technical Resources

Grade: RU05

Main purpose of the job: To provide high-quality technical support for teaching and research activities within the School of Life and Health Sciences. Working closely with academic staff, students and technical colleagues, the postholder will help ensure the effective operation of teaching laboratories, equipment and specialist facilities. This hands- on role will suit someone with a broad range of technical skills to support, for example, biochemistry, nutrition and food science, microbiology, ecology and zoology from a practical based scientific support background. Laboratory Health & Safety experience of risk assessment, COSHH and safe systems of work is expected. Duties will include stock control, procurement and assisting the team to optimise the use and care of core services, analytical instruments, microbiological safety cabinets, centrifuges, pipettes, autoclaves, refrigeration and freezer systems, sterilisation equipment, water purification systems and associated laboratory infrastructure. An understanding of, and co-ordination of use of specialist equipment is essential along with an appreciation for maintenance and servicing schedules. The post-holder will also be expected to assist with the preparation, review and implementation of risk assessments, COSHH assessments and safe systems of work, and to keep the health & safety records of the labs up to date and to undertake laboratory induction for staff and students. The role requires daily maintenance and specialist cleaning of laboratory equipment and areas, manual handling of equipment, gas cylinders and cryogenics and hazardous waste (training will be given). In addition to having relevant qualifications/ laboratory work experience and ability to work as part of a team, you must be flexible and comfortable with the need to change working priorities at short notice. Additional support for undergraduate and postgraduate taught laboratory sessions may be required.

Main duties and responsibilities: Practical Laboratory Work

• Preparation and setting up of equipment and materials for a range of experiments • Preparation of chemical solutions, reagents and standards to specific levels of accuracy • Assisting staff and students to optimise the use of space, resources and equipment using an

online booking system • Demonstrating the use of basic equipment and techniques to staff and students • Responsible for clearing away and safely disposing of materials and waste in accordance with

COSHH and relevant guidelines • Daily maintenance of laboratory equipment and areas, manual handling of equipment, gas

cylinders, cryogenics and hazardous waste • Ensuring equipment is maintained to be safe and clean including organising of maintenance

Contracts

• Ensuring research laboratories and other designated rooms are organised and maintained to be

safe and clean • Support of ecology field equipment and fieldwork

Administration

• Maintaining stocks and supplies and inventories • Procurement of equipment and supplies using an online purchasing system • Assisting staff and students with health and safety issues and providing information for risk

assessment. • Undertaking basic laboratory inductions • Keep Health and Safety records up to date • Assisting the technical team and liaising with academic/ staff to ensure that laboratories and

equipment are prepared and available when required • To undertake any other requirements commensurate with the level of this role as agreed with the

manager, including working flexibly across the University's technical services team and academic disciplines as necessary

Person Specification The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria.

Requirements E/D Criteria

Education and Qualifications

Essential • Educated to degree level in a relevant science subject or

professional registration e.g. RSci or R Sci Tech. However, substantial, equivalent work experience will be considered

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Good working knowledge of bioscience laboratories

• Demonstrable skills in good laboratory practice (CL 1&2) • Experience in the use of general laboratory equipment such as

centrifuge, analytical balance, autoclave, pipettes Awareness of health and safety issues and practices in the laboratory

• Ability to prepare solutions to specific levels of accuracy using relevant numeracy skills

• Ability to manage, plan and prioritise time effectively

• Organised, disciplined and self-motivated to work independently and as part of the team

Desirable • Willingness to learn additional bioscience skills

Work experience Essential

• Experience of providing technical support in a university or commercial laboratory

• Experience of working flexibly within a team and to be able to work independently

Desirable • Experience of using IT systems for planning and procurement

Communication skills

Essential • Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and students

e.g. to explain instructions verbally, to write laboratory protocols and to give basic laboratory inductions

Other requirements Essential

• High level of dexterity required in order to calibrate, maintain and handle laboratory equipment Essential

• Willingness to be flexible in duties undertaken • Commitment to continuing professional development

Additional Information • The appointment is offered on a permanent and Full-time basis immediately, subject to references

• The appointment is usually made at the bottom of the range. Where a candidate's current total remuneration already exceeds the bottom point, consideration will be given to the level of skills, experience and profile that the candidate is bringing to the role. The total remuneration of other staff doing the same or similar work within the department who have similar skills, experience and profile should also be taken into account.

• Due to the operational nature of this role, it requires the role holder to be on campus every day. • The annual leave entitlement is 25 days p.a. Additionally there are 3 - 4 days for the University's

operational efficiency initiatives at Christmas. • Your normal hours of work will be 35 hours per week, plus a lunch break of one hour each day. • The University of Roehampton is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion • Set in a beautiful 54-acre parkland campus, the University has an attractive range of benefits, and you

can find out more about them here. In addition, Professional Services/Support staff on grades up to RU7, may access the Local Government Pension Scheme; and on grades RU7 and above may access The University's Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Group Personal Pension Plan, provided by Royal London.

Job description prepared by: Technical Manager LHS Date: September 2026