This Form Summarises the Purpose of the Job and Lists Its Key Tasks s2

JOB DESCRIPTION

This form summarises the purpose of the job and lists its key tasks. It may be varied from time to time at the discretion of the College in consultation with the postholder.

Job Title: Departmental Technician (Maternity Leave Cover) Job ref no: CBS/0262/16 Grade: 5 Department: Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBS) Accountable to: Departmental Laboratory Manager Responsible for: n/a

Job summary: This is a technical position supporting research and postgraduate and undergraduate teaching in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Science at Camden Site. The successful candidate will join a team of five other technicians and work across the department, with particular emphasis in Skeletal, Cardiovascular and Reproductive Biology. Duties include: . Manage the laboratory infrastructure of a small suite of laboratories and ensure their smooth running. . Provide support for undergraduate practical classes and laboratory projects, covering all aspects of biology and biomedical science. . Provide support for research, using techniques in cell culture, imaging, molecular biology, protein chemistry, flow cytometry and histology. . Provide training, instructions and supervision to new laboratory users, including to postgraduate and undergraduate research projects. Competency: Service Delivery Key tasks: . Supporting academic researchers, some of whom use experimental animals or generate samples from post-mortem tissues or abattoir material . Running of the BD FACSCanto flow cytometer, including oversight of the online booking system, maintaining usage log, training and supervision of new users and keeping the instrument in good working order, which will involve liaising with BD engineers to resolve technical problems with the instruments . Provide cover for absent staff, as required by the departmental laboratory manager. Competency: Teaching Training and Learning Support Key tasks: . Preparing reagents and equipment for use in undergraduate practical classes . The setting out and clearing of practical classes . Supervising and demonstrating during classes . Running trials of experiments prior to classes and then demonstrating techniques for experiments . Be involved in the running of second and third year undergraduate research projects . Reviewing class protocols and liaising with academic staff to ensure their needs are met. Competency: Planning & Organisation Key tasks: . Management of a small suite of laboratories and the equipment within it to ensure its smooth running . Supervision of laboratory workers to ensure compliance with local rules and health and safety requirements . Ensure high levels of cleanliness and organisation are maintained in the laboratories. In particular overseeing the cleanliness and sterility of the cell culture facility and maintaining incubators and flow hoods . Routine servicing and maintenance of laboratory equipment and resolution of equipment problems . Using the Agresso purchasing system to source and procure goods and services for research and teaching. Competency: Knowledge and Experience Key tasks: Utilise knowledge acquired during degree and/or previous work experience to carry out a range of techniques including: . Flow Cytometry (FACS) . Molecular biology including isolation of DNA and RNA and real-time and conventional PCR . Electrophoresis and western blotting . Tissue culture, including the extraction of cells from animal or human materials . Histology, immunohistochemistry and microscopy . To undertake appropriate training to keep up to date, especially in regard with the College requirements for Health and Safety and Good Research Practice. Competency: Communication . Provide local safety inductions and equipment training for new staff, students and visiting workers . Communicating with suppliers and external engineers . To write and review risk and COSHH assessments and other laboratory protocols as required . To collate, record and analyse research results, communicating them effectively, both verbally and in writing to Principal Investigators . Attend and contribute at technical team and other meetings. Flexibility: To deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. As a member of the CBS technical team providing emergency support, out of hours if necessary.