Laboratory Technician
Application Deadline: 22 January 2025
Department: Lab
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Cheadle
Reporting To: Laboratory Supervisor
Compensation: £26,000 - £27,556 / year
Description
Where can you have a direct impact on health research happening across the globe? At UK Biobank, that’s where. UK Biobank is helping to pioneer new pathways in health, believing that people have the right to live longer and more fulfilling lives. We’re a team aiming to make a difference to millions of people on this planet - and an employer who cares passionately about the diverse range of professionals who have come together to drive our incredible journey. This role is pivotal to that journey.
Can you do it?
The world’s largest Biobank is undergoing a significant transformation to meet increasing scientific research demand. This includes a move to the prestigious Manchester Science Park involving the relocation of >10 million samples and the setting up of a new sample processing and storage facility with the aim of supplying >1 million samples for health research each year. Due to an increase in our workload and the upcoming move, we are hiring for Laboratory Technicians to join our team. These roles are responsible for handling, processing, storing and shipping UK Biobank samples and performing associated activities to support the operation of the laboratory.
Your principal duties will include:
Handling samples throughout the sample lifecycle:
* Receipt and aliquot new samples coming into the resource
* Pick samples from automated stores, freezers or LN2 tanks
* Extract/normalise/reformat samples using automated liquid handling systems
* Perform quality control checks on samples
* Ship samples
Undertaking tasks relating to sample management:
* Perform location audits
* Pick samples from participant withdrawals destructions
* Perform consolidation of samples across sample storage locations
Supporting a safe, efficient working environment adhering to quality and other relevant standards:
* Support audits against standards held by UK Biobank (i.e. ISO9001)
* Work to high standards for behaviour within the lab/ good laboratory practice
Supporting training and process improvements:
* Identify areas for improvement (i.e. feedback sessions, change requests)
* Input to updates of laboratory documentation (SOPs, COSHH and Risk Assessments etc)
Located in Greater Manchester (initially based in Stockport with a move to Manchester Science Park mid 2026). Working hours are 37.5 Hours, 5 shifts a week, Monday - Sunday, including Bank Holidays.
Is this ‘You’?
Reporting to the Senior Laboratory team, you’ll have a BSc in a relevant life sciences discipline or equivalent laboratory experience of:
* Working in a laboratory in a professional setting
* Working to the requirements of a relevant ISO standard (e.g. ISO9001, ISO17025, ISO15189, ISO27001), GxP or equivalent
* Using a LIMS product or equivalent complex information system supporting scientific work
* Using automated liquid handling and/or storage systems
* Shipping biological samples
* Communicating with team members effectively
* Using Microsoft Office including – Word and Excel
Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.
What's on offer
We have a range of benefits here at UK Biobank, some of the highlights of those are:
* 30% Salary uplift on Sundays and Bank Holidays
* 15% Salary uplift on Saturdays
* USS Pension Scheme which is a ‘hybrid’ defined benefit/defined contribution scheme
* 26 days' annual leave (which increases with length of service) plus Bank Holidays including Christmas closure
* Holiday buy scheme (buy up to 1 week of additional leave per year)
* A paid day off for your birthday (in addition to annual leave)
* Enhanced family leave (available from day 1 of employment)
* Subsidised lunches (£5.50 contribution per day when working on site) and refreshments
* Free car parking
* Cycle to work scheme
* Access to free gym
* Professional subscriptions reimbursement (where applicable)
* Employee discounts portal
* 20% Discount at EE
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Eye-care scheme
* Annual flu vaccination
* Life Assurance cover
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