Senior Research Technician - Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences - 106865 - Grade 5

CompanyUniversity of Birmingham

LocationBirmingham, England, United Kingdom

Posted At1/13/2026

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Occupation Type

Business and related research professionals

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£41,700 (£21.38 per hour)

Standard minimum applies

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Description

Job Description

Position Details

Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388

Grade: 5

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2027

Closing date: 27th January 2026

Background

This full time position (35 hours/week) within the College of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences and will be supporting the research of Professor Andrew Beggs.

This technical post is funded by CRUK Scotland to support the research work of Professor Andrew Beggs by overseeing compliance for the clinical trial work currently undertaken within the group by undertaking both administrative and laboratory work. The role holder will be performing all administrative tasks associated with the laboratory’s clinical trials such as writing documentation as required. They will also take responsibility for compliance with individual trial protocols and liaising with the clinical trial units to provide consumables/materials as required for sample kits. They will be required to process samples using a variety of techniques including processing blood (for example for PBMCs), nucleic acid extraction, cell free DNA extraction, quantification and quality checks, using qPCR and next generation sequencing to include using several platforms such as Illumina, nanopore and Ion Torrent.

Role Summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in research support. You may supervise a number of technical staff but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

You will need an in-depth understanding of the research questions, techniques and experimental protocols. You will be able to use your in-depth knowledge to advise on procedures, diagnose and resolve problems, and proactively suggest solutions to issues which arise. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate experimental procedures.

In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main Duties

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

Performing all administrative tasks associated with the laboratory’s clinical trials such as writing documentation as required.
Responsibility for compliance with individual trial protocols.
Responsibility for liaising with the clinical trial units to provide consumables/materials as required for sample kits.

Processing samples using a variety of techniques:

Processing blood for example for PBMCs,
Nucleic acid extraction,
Cell free DNA extraction,
Quantification and quality checks, using qPCR and next generation sequencing to include:

Using several platforms such as Illumina, Nanopore and Ion Torrent.

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 manager 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.

Health and Safety Duties

Proactive support for health and safety within the laboratory. This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties. Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
Post holders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.

General Administration and Organisation

Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical reagents.
Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
Maintain a technical support based teaching laboratory website (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant research lab databases/records.

Other Duties

In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.

Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.

Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
GCSE level 2 (A*- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods.
Extensive experience of similar laboratory based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of laboratory equipment.
Courtesy in dealing with others.
Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team.
Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.

Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will provide specialist expertise in your area and provide advice and support to a range of customers. You may supervise staff; even where you do not have supervisory responsibilities you will be expected to act as a role model for other staff. You may be involved in budget monitoring.

Planning and Organising

You will be required to work independently on daily, weekly and monthly tasks but also on projects with medium-longer-term horizons without daily supervision. You will ensure that you have the resources required, which will require planning ahead and procurement of goods.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will be able to research, modify and adapt protocols after consulting relevant manager, and prepare for research experiments. You will be able to uphold Health and Safety procedures. You will need to be confident in identifying problems, breaking them down and implementing solutions. Although you will work under the direction of more senior staff you will be able to carry out your work with a large amount of autonomy.

Internal and External relationships

This role will be advising and supporting research staff and/or students, and with external contacts such as company representatives.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Carol Benham, email: c.a.benham@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website .