Research Technician

Vacancy terms: Full time, or job share considered, fixed term contract until 30 November 2026

Hours per week: 35

About the role

The University of Leicester is seeking a Research Technician to join the Leicester Cancer Research Centre within the Division of Cancer Sciences. This fixed‑term, full‑time post (job share considered) is funded by Cancer Research UK and will support the delivery of key grant milestones for the multicentre phase 2/3 COLO‑PREVENT clinical trial, which recruits high‑risk patients through the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. The study investigates whether repurposed drugs or dietary agents may help to prevent colorectal polyp development.

The post holder will be responsible for the coordination, verification, logging and storage of clinical samples received from up to 60 trial sites across England and Wales, ensuring full regulatory compliance at all times. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, Trial Manager and wider trial teams, the role will provide essential laboratory and sample‑related support, contribute to audit readiness, and assist with regulatory documentation, ethics submissions and reporting. The role operates within a quality‑managed clinical research environment and requires excellent organisation, attention to detail and a strong commitment to good clinical and laboratory practice.

About you

You will have a technical or scientific education to ONC or NVQ level 3, or equivalent experience within a clinical trial or research setting, and experience of working with human samples in a quality‑managed environment. You will demonstrate a sound understanding of regulatory requirements, including Good Clinical Practice, health and safety regulations and the governance associated with human tissue. Strong written and verbal communication skills, good IT skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team are essential.

You will be highly organised, able to manage competing priorities and committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance. The University of Leicester values being inclusive, inspiring and impactful, and you will be expected to work in a way that reflects these values while supporting the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law. This role may involve work within NHS settings and is subject to the relevant research governance and DBS requirements.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Karen Brown on kb20@leicester.ac.uk

Applications for job share will be considered.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying.  

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. 

Advert closes midnight on: 09 July 2026

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