Laboratory Technician: VIVO Biobank

Company description:

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.

Job description:

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team running VIVO biobank (https://vivobiobank.org/). This is a large national Children's and Young People's Cancer biobank formed from the merger of the Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Tissue Bank and the Blood Cancer UK leukaemia CellBank in 2022.

Key roles are day-to-day receipt, logging and processing of samples of bone marrow, peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid from over 25 UK sites participating in biobanking and maintaining up to date storage records in the university mandated laboratory information management system (LIMS) alongside data transfer to the University of York VIVO central database. In addition, nucleic acid extraction from samples will be performed according to researcher demand.

Other key roles are periodic auditing of VIVO samples and data, assembly and dispatch of sample collection packs to clinical centres including stock-management and supply re-ordering. Other tasks include organising couriers for biological sample collection from hospital sites and sample release and dispatch to researchers. In addition, you will help support upkeep of lab space as we move towards biobank ISO accreditation and sustainability (LEAF).

You will contribute to monthly VIVO biobank Operations meetings and attend central biobank laboratory meetings. Other tasks include general data responsibilities in relation to biobanking including assisting tissue banking sites with remote data entry and checking data accuracy.

You will have a BTEC HNC/HND in a relevant field (e.g. medical sciences or other health-related field). You must be experienced in handling clinical tissue and processing human samples with working knowledge of the Human Tissue Act. You must have thorough working knowledge of Health & Safety Procedures and demonstrable working experience in a relevant technical laboratory role.

You will be enthusiastic and self-motivated. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, and able to express yourself clearly and succinctly. You will be able to work independently and as part of a team. You will be able to organise and prioritise your workload to meet deadlines. You will be meticulous about following processes and procedures and show attention to detail.

You will be based in the Central Biobank Facility led by Dr Amy Peasland and have day to day interactions with VIVO biobank staff.

The VIVO Biobank is split across several sites and will involve close interaction with colleagues at the University of York, the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre. Newcastle University and UK Biocentre (Milton Keynes).

VIVO biobank is a national Children and Young People's (CYP) Biobank funded by Cancer Research UK/Blood Cancer UK formed from the merger of two previous biobanks the Cancer Research UK (CR UK) Children's Cancer & Leukaemia Group (CCLG tissue bank) and the Blood Cancer UK Childhood Leukaemia CellBank in 2022. The Biobank has staff based at Newcastle University, the University of York and UK Biocentre (Milton Keynes).

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