Senior Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term)

An exciting opportunity is available for a Research Laboratory Technician to help support the Chromatin and Memory Group, led by Dr. Jake Harris at the Department of Plant Sciences. The Department of Plant Sciences is situated on the Downing Site in Cambridge, and houses state-of-the-art laboratories, and is a short walk from the Plant Growth Facility at the Botanic Garden, where the bulk of plant material is grown in controlled conditions. The project involves the generation of CRISPR based constructs, and transgenic lines, using the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana.

The postholder will perform various routine molecular biology techniques in the lab, including cloning (PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, restriction reactions, ligation reactions, Gibson assembly approaches, bacterial transformation and culture, plasmid purification, and sanger sequencing) and genotyping (collecting material, genomic DNA extractions, PCR and gel electrophoresis), and will also be responsible for plant work; including generating transgenic lines (by floral dip) and maintenance of plant transgenic lines (sowing seeds, collecting seeds, maintaining organised notes). 

The successful candidate is not expected to be familiar with all of these techniques, however, a willingness to learn, and some prior experience with lab work is essential. The successful candidate will have strong organisational and time-management skills, a positive attitude, and a good team spirit.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit :

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD42112 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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