Research Technician

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

General Laboratory duties

General duties include maintaining equipment by cleaning and decontaminating regularly. Reagents need to be prepared and regular stock checks taken of reagents, consumables and shipping material, orders to be placed when required.

Work diaries need updating to plan for the forthcoming week. Sample logs are to be updated and samples picked and packaged if required for analysis.

The job role involves working in the laboratory to process, log and store human tissue specimens including sputum, blood, urine and faeces for clinical testing, research and clinical trials. The role will involve the use of laboratory equipment including haemocytometer, microscopes, centrifuges, Class 2 cabinet and fume hood.

The Leicester Respiratory BRC is a specialist centre for Induced sputum processing. The post holder will become an expert and will be able to troubleshoot and train other researchers. The spontaneous or induced sputum sample, is initially assessed for appearance - mucoid, muco-purulent or purulent. It is selected from the whole sample, avoiding food contamination, blood and squamous cells. Following treatment with a mucolytic and centrifuged, the total cell count is calculated. A sputum supernatant is collected and a cytology slide is produced and stained for a differential cell count to be reported.

Storage of samples needs to be organised on OpenSpecimen tissue tracking software using barcoded labels and 2D tubes, boxes need to be organised and racked matching the database and freezer space managed. Periodically there will be requests for samples to be transported for analysis. Using OpenSpecimen the samples (up to 100) need to be picked one at a time using dry ice to prevent defrosting, re-boxed and a new sample manifest generated. The samples can then be transported in a similar way to clinical trials samples packed in dry ice according to IATA regulations.

For clinical trials, the laboratory manuals needs reviewing and attendance at the Site investigator meeting may be required for training in the protocol. Once started trial data including sample collection logs, electronic databases and shipping records need to be maintained. Minimum levels of shipping material need to be maintained.

The hours are standard 9am to 5pm, 37.5 hrs per week. In emergency situations there may be a requirement to be available out of hours if there is a freezer malfunction.

There is a requirement to provide sickness and holiday cover and observe health and safety regulations. Mandatory UHL training must be kept up to date as well as reading documents and new SOPs in accordance with the Quality Management System.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First class degree in Biological science
• GCP Certification valid
• HTA Certification valid
• IATA certification valid

Desirable criteria

• Post graduate study

Experience

Essential criteria

• 12 months f/t laboratory experience
• 12 months sputum processing experience
• Sputum training and troubleshooting

Desirable criteria

• Aseptic technique or molecular biology
• Clinical trial lab sample processing

Skills

Essential criteria

• Tissue tracking software, labelling experience
• Lab equipment, Pipette & haemocytometer use
• Making molar solutions
• Processing human biological samples

Desirable criteria

• Handling dry ice and shipping to IATA regulations
• Processing PBMCs and DNA extract/Pure/Quant

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First class degree in Biological science
• Experience in research

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of respiratory research and disease at BRC

Experience

Essential criteria

• Sputum processing, training and troubleshooting
• Tissue tracking to HTA regulations

Desirable criteria

• Experience of processing clinical trial samples
• Experience handling dry ice

Teamwork and communication

Essential criteria

• Evidence of working in a team
• A difficult situation that had to be overcome

Desirable criteria

• Experience working with research monitor, nurses or research doctors

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

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