Senior Research Technician - Department of Inflammation and Ageing - 107989 - Grade 5

Position Details

Department of Inflammation and Ageing, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression once in post to £35,883

Grade: 5

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 6 months (with possibility of extension up to 28 months depending on funding)

Closing date: 29th September 2026

Background

We are recruiting for a Senior Research Technician within the College of Medicine and Health, Department of Inflammation and Ageing. The successful candidate will join the Rheumatology Research Group based within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. They will provide laboratory support to a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians and research scientists.

Role Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.

In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties

Main duties are to support the laboratory aspect of several clinical studies within the Rheumatology Research Group, however there is a patient facing aspect to this role (attending biopsy procedure performed under a local anaesthetic) and the successful candidate must have exceptional communication skills and professional conduct. This role also involves supporting the RRG histology facility which requires the ability to manage own workload independently.

• Receiving human biological samples and documenting in accordance with local practices (recording sample movements on a LIM system).
• Blood processing techniques (PBMC isolation, plasma/serum isolation) and other body fluid and tissue processing as required.
• Safe working practices with biological samples and legislation relevant to human tissue and cellular material.
• Cell culture of primary cells.
• Support the histology facility including daily maintenance, QMS documentation and compliance, tissue processing and embedding, microtomy, perform routine staining of tissue (H&E, immunohistochemistry, IF) and subsequent scanning for future analysis, perform special stains appropriate to the application.
• Analyse the cellular immune response using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy.
• Assist in the day to day running of a large laboratory, including ordering, enforcing H&S, assisting experiments and routine housekeeping.
• You will be responsible for assisting in managing the experimental and laboratories.
• You will use your in-depth knowledge of methods and procedures to advise on techniques and experimental procedures being used by researchers and/or students. This will involve communicating with colleagues at a range of levels and inexperienced students.
• You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures which will need you to use your judgment to assess the correct technique to use, and to consider how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.
• You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures you carry out, and for any other research activities you may be involved in including results.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
• Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
• You may contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Health and Safety duties

• Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
• Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
• Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
• Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for laboratory.
• Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
• Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider or Fire Warden.

General Administration and Organisation

• Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
• Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
• Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
• Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
• Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
• Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.

Other Duties

• In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
• Treats everyone with dignity and respect in line with current equality legislation.
• Any other duties as may reasonably be required.
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity duties document.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Experience with human sample preparation
• In depth understanding of legal, ethical and moral obligations with regards to cellular material
• Experience of patient facing duties
• Extensive histology experience (FFPE processing, microtomy and special stains)
• Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
• GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
• In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
• Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
• Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
• Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
• Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity.
• Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Andrew Filer, email: [email protected]

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website .