Technical Specialist

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608. With potential progression once in post to £39,906 a year.

Full Time Fixed Term Contract up to 31/03/27

Job Summary

The role will focus on the technical delivery and refinement of standardised sperm function assays. The postholder will join an interdisciplinary team with a goal to foster an inclusive research environment, where people and innovation thrive, creating a global impact. The postholder will work closely with senior academic and research staff to maintain high technical and quality standards across multiple complex assays and will contribute to assay optimisation, data collection, and reporting to project partners. 

Main Responsibilities

The role holder will provide support for the research undertaken by Professor Kirkman-Brown using a variety of specialist techniques to include, but not exclusively:

• Conduct and maintain standardised sperm function assays, including motility, acrosome reaction, sperm survival and viscous penetration tests, following established SOPs.
• Prepare and handle human sperm samples in accordance with ethical, safety, and governance requirements under the Centre for Human Reproductive Science Research Tissue Bank and HFEA Research Licence.
• Support the development, optimisation, and validation of new assay procedures and contribute to refining methodologies based on experimental outcomes.
• You will be responsible for assisting in managing the experimental 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 Supervisor 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. 

Informal enquiries can be made to Carol Benham (C.A.Benham@bham.ac.uk).

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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