Research Technician - Microbiology

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 May 2028

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The Research Technician will carry out various microbiology and molecular biology duties to support the ongoing research across the Ecosystems and Geobiology (EGL) and Gass Laboratories, in the STEM faculty. You will work closely with the research staff and students to enable the delivery of the Faculty’s research objectives whilst ensuring good laboratory practice at all times by maintaining cleanliness and stock supplies. You will record data and carry out basic analyses as directed by the Laboratory Manager.

Key Responsibilities 

• Support with the curation of the microbial culture collection and incoming field research samples.
• Support with general microbiology including preparing anaerobic media and cultures.
• DNA extraction from both environmental samples and isolated microorganisms using bespoke in-house protocols.
• PCR amplification and preparation of products for sequencing.
• Sequence samples with the Sanger Sequencer.
• Manage the orders of consumables and support the Laboratory Manager with the laboratory budget.
• Be the Waste Champion for the team and work with the H&S Laboratory Manager to organise hazardous waste disposals.
• Recording of data and basic analyses as requested by the Laboratory Manager.
• Ensuring good laboratory practice by maintaining cleanliness and stock supplies.
• Supporting lab visitors and students in the use of equipment and analysis of samples.
• Providing additional support to research staff and students within the Group as required.
• Assisting with field work as required.
• Assist with consultancy work as required.
• Ability to carry out the role in a way that is consistent with equality legislation and University policies.
• To have a strong commitment to health and safety in a laboratory environment.
• To have a strong commitment to sustainability in a laboratory environment.
• To undertake other duties, as agreed by the Laboratory Manager. 

About You 

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree in a STEM subject (preferably microbiology, molecular biology, environmental or biological sciences with a strong element of microbiology).
• Proven laboratory experience.
• Demonstrable practical experience of working within a Higher Education / scientific research establishment.
• Practical experience in technical support.
• Relevant technical knowledge of equipment and techniques typically used in microbiology and molecular biology laboratories.
• A good understanding of Health & Safety legislation, and its application in a relevant laboratory environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills, with the ability to influence others over whom there is no formal authority.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrable organisational, planning and problem-solving skills, including ability to anticipate and analyse problems and introduce workable solutions.
• Proven ability and capacity to adapt quickly, flexibly and effectively to change. 

Desirable:

• Applicants should have or be working towards professional registration RSciTech, RSci or CSci. 

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you. 

Work location

This role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes campus and the post holder will be required to work from the Milton Keynes campus 5 days per week. 

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place onsite in Milton Keynes mid / late August 2026. 

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 1000 words and should outline how your current skills and experience meet the essential criteria listed above)

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

Closing date of 11:59pm on Friday 31^st July 2026