Sample Management Technician

Location: Oxford Vaccine Group, Churchill Hospital, Oxford

About the role

The Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) are seeking enthusiastic, team-oriented people to join the group. This role will be essential in supporting clinical trials that are helping to understand infectious diseases, develop new vaccines and improve pre-existing vaccines for children and adults. Our research has led to the much-anticipated introduction of the Meningitis B vaccine for babies into the UK vaccination schedule, and we have been extensively involved in first in human trials of new vaccines to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the Ebola Virus and run internationally renowned Human Challenge Models of Enteric diseases such as Typhoid and Paratyphoid. 

You will be working in a growing department within the Medical Sciences Division. The Department of Paediatrics is a world leader in child health research and hosts internationally renowned research programmes in drug development, gastroenterology, haematology, HIV, immunology, neuroimaging, neuromuscular diseases and vaccinology.

This position is offered full-time on a fixed-term contract initially for one year, with the possibility to extend provided further external funding is available.

About the department

The Department of Paediatrics is committed to equality and valuing diversity. The Department of Paediatrics has been honoured with the Athena Swan Gold award, a national gender equality charter, recognising the Department's innovative policies and practices. We are committed to the professional development of our staff by providing up to ten paid days annually for skill enhancement and allowing applications for additional training funding. By joining us, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a forward-thinking department. 

Please visit our website to find out more about the Department. 

About you

You will work with the team in helping to manage the tens of thousands of samples that we have and ensuring they are in a well-catalogued and efficient storage system. If you are keen to be part of a research environment, can work independently, manage your own time, are proactive, have good communication skills with great attention to detail then this role would be suited to you. The samples are in freezers across multiple locations, with incoming samples coming continually from national and international sites. Accurate inventories, helping consolidation of boxes, working to ensure efficient space management are all integral to allow research to continue seamlessly.

You will be willing and able to travel to various locations where freezer storage is located, which may require flexibility with working hours or weekend work.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement.

Only online applications received before 12.00 midday on Monday 16th March 2026 will be considered. Interviews are expected to be held during w/c 13th April 2026.

The Department of Paediatrics offers an Interview Expense Reimbursement Policy in its efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion. Should you be invited to interview, we will share further information about the policy at that stage.

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