Research Technician

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Scotland seeks a Research Technician to aid in virus transmission research. Duties include providing technical support, maintaining lab equipment, and supervising junior staff. Essential qualifications include a Scottish Credit and Qualification Level 7 and experience in molecular virology techniques. The role offers a full-time position with a salary range of £28,031 - £31,236. Applicants are encouraged to embrace diversity and inclusivity within the research team.

Benefits

41 days of leave

Pension benefits

Flexible working hours

Free gym membership for new staff

Qualifications

• Understanding of molecular virology techniques including tissue culture.
• Knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety practices.
• Experience in managing the day-to-day running of a laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for research techniques and data generation.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and troubleshoot day-to-day problems.
• Supervise junior staff and provide training in techniques.

Skills

Laboratory technical skills

IT skills

Ability to work independently

Good interpersonal skills

Education

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 7

BSc or MSc in a relevant subject

Tools

GraphPad Prism

LiCor Odyssey western blot imagers

Job description

Job Purpose

The School of Infection and Immunity (https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/infectionimmunity/) MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) (http://www.cvr.ac.uk/) is seeking to appoint a Research Technician, to carry out research into virus cross‑species transmission and to provide support to other researchers in the laboratory. The post will mainly involve tissue culture, virus infections, reporter assays and common molecular virology techniques.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide in-depth technical support in respect of executing research techniques, generating data for inclusion in papers, reports and presentations.
• Maintain the group’s laboratory equipment and diagnose faults and troubleshoot day‑to‑day problems relating to equipment, techniques, procedures and protocols.
• In liaison with the PI, advise, implement and evaluate improvements to existing protocols as required.
• Collect, analyse and interpret data using standard procedures and ensure that accurate research records (electronic and traditional formats) are kept and databases are updated accordingly.
• Plan and organise day‑to‑day work to ensure that the experimental goals are delivered within previously agreed timescales.
• Supervise junior staff, where appropriate, and instruct, train and provide guidance to research staff and students in the techniques and operation of equipment and apparatus as directed by the supervisor or PI.
• Contribute to the well‑organised functioning of the laboratory and assist the PI in maintaining the stock levels and purchasing consumables and supplies, within budget, and in consultation with other members of the group.
• In consultation with the PI, ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the laboratory area and facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting the completion of risk assessments and COSHH assessments, ensuring that all Health and Safety paperwork is completed and recorded accurately, and implementing and adhering to health and safety policies, as determined by the University, and the Health and Safety Executive.
• Participate and organise laboratory housekeeping operations in CL2 laboratories and participate in the performance of routine communal tasks required for the smooth running of the laboratories.
• Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and departmental research group activities (such as the internal seminar programme).
• Keep up-to-date with advancements in technology and methodology, continually updating technical knowledge.
• Be aware and comply with Equality and Diversity policies of the University of Glasgow.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Qualifications/Knowledge

• Essential
• A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 7 (Advanced Higher/Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3, HNC) or equivalent in relevant subject/s such as Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics, and experience of personal development in a similar role
• A2 Knowledge of, and demonstratable experience in, molecular virology techniques including tissue culture, viral infections, plaque assays, western blotting, and molecular cloning.
• A3 Up to date knowledge of relevant laboratory Health and Safety practices
• Desirable
• B1 Extensive knowledge or qualifications pertaining to viruses/virology (such as a BSc and/or MSc degree or equivalent).
• B2 Knowledge of Equality and Diversity policy.

Skills

• Essential
• C1 Excellent and demonstrable laboratory technical skills and IT skills.
• C2 Reliable production of routine reagents, solutions, aliquots that the laboratory depends upon.
• C3 Highly organised with a meticulous approach to recording information.
• C4 Ability to work independently and troubleshoot problems.
• C5 Good interpersonal and writing skills to liaise with internal/external staff.
• C6 Ability to use initiative and judgement to plan and progress work.
• C7 Demonstrate ability to learn and adapt to rapidly changing protocols and technologies.

Experience

• Essential
• E1 Significant and demonstrable relevant work experience (including, but not limited to, experience gained during degrees/research degrees where appropriate).
• E2 Work experience in a CL2 containment laboratory.
• E3 Work experience in tissue culture and molecular cloning.
• E4 Experience of understanding and interpreting the technical requirements of staff and students.
• E5 Downstream processing and analyses of laboratory-generated data including statistics.
• E6 Work experience in managing the day‑to‑day running of a laboratory.
• Desirable
• F1 Experience in working with influenza A virus and virology techniques such as plaque assay and virus infections.
• F2 Experience in preparing and using lentiviral vectors to transduce cells to overexpress a transgene.
• F3 Experience with LiCor Odyssey western blot imagers and experience with an imaging cytometer.
• F4 Experience with software for analysing and plotting data for example GraphPad Prism.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended with funding available up until 30th September 2027.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1. A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2. An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3. A flexible approach to working.
4. A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

Closing date: 23:45 on Wednesday 7th January 2026