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SalaryJob id: 086613. Salary: £37,332 - £42,099 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 22 March 2024. Closing date: 07 April 2024.
Business unit: Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. Department: SCMMS Denmark Hill.
Contact details: Professor Mauro Giacca. mauro.giacca@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.
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Job description
Applications are invited for a talented and enthusiastic technician to join Prof Mauro Giacca’s laboratory at the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences at King's College London. The postholder will be part of a vibrant multi-disciplinary research group operating across different research themes in cardiac biology. The research activities of the group encompass a wide variety of wet and dry lab activities. These include molecular and cellular biology experimentation and support in specialist microscopy. The post holder will provide high quality technical support to the group and their associated research activities.
It is expected that 60% of the time will be spent on ensuring the following duties:
provide research services and technical support, including techniques in molecular biology, cell culture, histology, and microscopy.
perform isolation of primary neonatal and adult cardiac myocytes from both mouse and rat
activities within the lab’s specialist facilities, supporting cell biology procedures (i.e., cell culture and transfection), high content microscopy-assay development (i.e., immunofluorescence assay, live cell assays, gene reporter assays), image acquisition using dedicated microscopes, handling and bar-coding of disposables, liquid handling of siRNA and small molecule libraries.
It is expected that 30% of the time will be spent on ensuring the smooth running of the lab; producing buffers and sterile consumables, maintaining equipment, ordering and stocktake, liaising with colleagues and collaborators, and ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures as directed by the Technical Manager.
The rest of the time will be spent participating in other cross-School/Faculty projects and initiatives as directed by Professor Giacca.
This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31 December 2025.
This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.
Key responsibilities
The post holder is a member of the School’s professional services team, providing high quality technical support to the School and specific support to its research activities.
Provide in-depth knowledge of technical or scientific practices, methods and procedures gained through experience and/or formal qualification.
Manage own workload, pattern of work and resources based on an agreed work plan.
Be responsive to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided.
Use well-developed analytical skills to identify trends and patterns, using appropriate techniques and procedures to inform decisions.
Provide advice/ guidance and, where appropriate, training.
Work with colleagues and network within and beyond King’s.
Communicate complex information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing.
Adapt local procedures to improve the service to meet the needs of the users.
Be responsible for the compliance with relevant regulations governing the service, completing risk assessments to inform actions and ensure a safe and environmentally sustainable workplace.
Be an active member of King’s Technical Network, engaging in cross-King’s initiatives and building a strong network across the organisation to strengthen and facilitate best practice used by the service.
Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/ university projects and initiatives..
Engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria
- Relevant undergraduate degree or equivalent, as well as substantial previous work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts.
- Comprehensive technical knowledge and skills in a broad range of experimental methods and scientific practices.
- Evidence of an active commitment to professional development, such as membership to a professional body and/or professional registration.
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills to build a strong network to support the ongoing delivery of technical services.
- Previous experience in molecular biology (PCR, Western Blotting, DNA manipulation, cell transfection, immunofluorescence), primary cell isolation, histology, microscopy, and aseptic technique.
- Well-developed analytical capabilities, gathering, manipulating, interpreting, evaluation and analysing data, information, concepts, and ideas.
- Planning and organization skills, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to manage competing priorities and changing
- Knowledge and understanding of the Laboratory Health and Safety Regulations (COSSH, Human Tissue Act) governing the area of work, with NEBOSH/IOSH certification in relevant areas such as cryogenic gases, and compressed gases safety training.
Desirable criteria
- Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required.
- Previous experience working with specialist laboratory equipment such as advanced microscopy equipment, liquid handling platforms, and cell culture systems.
- Previous experience working in biological services with a knowledge of Schedule 1 techniques and a strong understanding of the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986
Further information
Fixed Term Contract to 31st December 2025 and further extensions will be confirmed during the employment.
This post is subject to Occupational Health clearance.
