Laboratory Technical Specialist

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
We are looking for a highly motivated and detail-orientated technician to join our research project focused on understanding the molecular basis of de novo mitochondrial cristae biogenesis. This project aims to leverage a novel inducible model system and state-of-the-art super-resolution microscopy to explore the spatiotemporal dynamics of mitochondrial membrane proteins and their role in cristae formation. Your role will display an in-depth knowledge of technical scientific practices, methods, and procedures gained through either experience and/or formal qualification, and require you to deploy this knowledge to provide a range of technical support to the group.

You will join a wide community of technical staff in the Faculty of Medicine; Institute of Biosciences. You will report to Dr. Uwe Richter and the Institute Technical Manager and be required to assist in experiments using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and single-molecule tracking techniques. You will also be required to support the research team in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of experimental data.

Experience with human tissue work, cell isolation techniques, and wet-bench experimentation would be desirable, but all necessary training, and support with techniques will be provided.

Please contact Uwe Richter (Uwe.Richter@newcastle.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

Key Accountabilities

• Complete a range of routine and complex maintenance activities and repairs.
• Liaise with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve both routine and complex problems and investigate replacement options.
• Advise on equipment capabilities demonstrating how results can be achieved. • Design and delivery of bespoke equipment and apparatus.
• By developing local procedures, establish and maintain a safe/compliant working environment • Hold specific safety responsibilities relevant to the specialism.
• Assist with the completion and updating of a wide range of safety paperwork.
• Oversee compliance tasks ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records.
• Maintain in-depth and up-to-date health and safety knowledge relevant to the specialism Schedule, prioritize and monitor work in line with demands and deadlines.
• Hold delegated responsibility from the academic lead for the planning, operation and supervision of laboratory spaces occupied by the specialism.
• Organize and facilitate progress meetings. • Be a key contributor to specialism development, delivery and planning. • Contribute to and support change.
• Manage one or more budgets monitoring resource usage. • Source and negotiate with suppliers for a range of items including specialist parts/equipment.
• Create, update and implement procedures to deliver an aligned, efficient and effective service. • Provide general and specialist research support including leading method development.
• Provide general and specialist teaching support including class/field work development.
• Support taught course projects by promotion and incorporation of specialism.
• Prepare and manufacture specimens/samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction. • Manage equipment bookings, calculate charges/costs and assist with recharging.
• Contribute to building work affecting the area occupied by the specialism.
• Manage local security and access control arrangements.
• Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training covering complex techniques and specialist equipment.
• Assist managers with the identification of training and development needs.
• Maintain specialist knowledge and skills, sharing with others.
• Mentor junior staff.

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