Senior Technician (Molecular Ecology)

Job description

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

The Role and the Department

The purpose of this role is to support research into the insects visiting cocoa flowers (Theobroma cacao) and pollinating them. Globally, cocoa is an important crop: demand for cocoa is strong, and cocoa production makes up a large portion of the economy for some low and middle income countries. Millions of people, often small holder farmers, rely on cocoa production to support their families. Because cocoa trees are largely self-incompatible, transfer of pollen amongst trees is critical for pod production. Despite years of research, the ID of cocoa pollinators remains elusive. There are several reasons for this, including the tiny size of cocoa flowers, the sheer number of flowers per tree (hundreds or thousands), and the low pollination rate, which mean that chances of observing a flower being pollinated is miniscule. Some evidence suggests the pollinators may be most active later in the day and early in the morning when fewer people are about. Further, experiments in which the cocoa flowers are pollinated by hand show dramatic increases in the short term, thus suggesting that pollination is limiting cocoa productivity. This project uses a sophisticated DNA sequencing approach called metabarcoding to sequence traces of DNA left behind by pollinators on the flowers, and then match these DNA fingerprints to known species that left them behind - much like the police do at a crime scene.

The person selected for this role will provide technical laboratory expertise towards metabarcoding by preparing solutions, performing DNA extraction, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR product clean-up, and preparation of Illumina sequencing libraries. The post-holder will maintain detailed databases and a laboratory notebook. She or he will also contribute towards our diverse and friendly lab culture by acting as a good lab member, training students, and taking part in biweekly lab meetings. The Ecology, Evolution, and Environment section of the Biosciences department conducts world-leading research on everything from molecules to ecosystems and will provide an engaging and invigorating environment. There will be some flexibility for hybrid working (e.g. data entry) but a substantial portion of time will be in the lab.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.

3. Experience of working in a team.

4. Experience working independently.

5. Experience or ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

6. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.

7. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research project working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment.

8. Extensive experience working with local and international project collaborators and/or industry to build long-term knowledge exchange.

9. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring own activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.

10. Previous experience preparing samples and creating DNA metabarcoding sequencing libraries, or related techniques such as making solutions, DNA extraction, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, and DNA quantification.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

11. Good spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

12. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications, email, WhatsApp.

13. Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and experience of compliance.

14. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

15. Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision technical skills and the operation of standard and complex scientific, technical and creative equipment.

16. Skills in preventing contamination of samples, detecting contamination, and problem-shooting removal of contamination should it arise.

17. Ability to maintain detailed sample databases.

18. Ability to maintain detailed lab notebooks and protocols.

Desirable Criteria

19. Master's degree

20. Previous experience conducting DNA metabarcoding of difficult samples, e.g. faecal samples from animals

21. Ability to modify and adapt existing protocols for new types of samples

22. Previous experience demonstrating standard lab techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis) to others

23. Previous experience preparing reports for funders.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dr. Andreanna Welch would be happy to speak to you. Please email [email protected] in the first instance.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Ensure that the University's procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
• Provide specialist advice and make decisions to conduct DNA metabarcoding of cocoa flowers. This could include adapting current lab protocols for samples with low DNA concentration or attempting/optimising new methods.
• Share technical knowledge and expertise to support other team members.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as organising large sets of samples, dealing with contamination, and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Provide the best possible service to staff, postgraduate, and undergraduate students by reviewing and make suggestions to improve the service.
• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and maintain databases of sample progress
• Prepare updates, potentially including figures, to provide reports to funders.
• Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment to ensure safety, security and compliance.
• Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Deliver assigned projects in accordance with agreed objectives ensuring a high level of accuracy, complexity, originality and excellence.
• Supervise the work of postgraduates or undergraduates related to this project, as necessary.
• Seek feedback from staff and students to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Communication/Liaison

• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
• Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks and use a range of equipment.
• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
• Build relationships with local and international collaborators to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.