Senior Technician: Cell Culture

Senior Technician – Cell Culture

£42,000 - £46,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Lab Operations Manager

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Kent Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent (Onsite)

Closing date: 29 August 2025 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Recruitment process: Competency based interview on-site at Kent Discovery Park

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

CancerTools.Org are looking for a proactive and ambitious research professional to join the team as a Senior Laboratory Technician.

About The Team

CancerTools.org, the research tools arm of Cancer Research UK (CRUK), is a non-profit, global community of cancer researchers, academic institutes, and professional societies, with a shared mission to accelerate cancer research. With a history of more than 40 years of managing and providing reagents to both academic and for-profit laboratories around the world, CancerTools.org has been steadfast in its mission of accelerating cancer research by making research tools widely and easily available, extending CRUKS influence to a global audience

As the Senior Laboratory Technician, you’ll be responsible for the development and implementation of cell culture processes in a new laboratory space. So we are looking for someone who enjoys process improvement, and thrives in an environment of change. Day-to-day work will involve the expansion and maintenance of cell lines, whilst supporting the distribution of materials globally. Supporting the Laboratory Operations Manager in the day–to-day running of the laboratory space, the role will require both strong cell culture experience and excellent record keeping and attention to detail working within the Quality Management System (ISO9001).

You’ll be joining a growing team of individuals passionate about what they do, so we are looking for candidates who thrive in a dynamic startup environment, keen to make the role their own and grow with us.

What will I be doing?

• Planning, coordination, and supervision of cell culture lab activities
• The expansion, maintenance, quality control and cell banking of a variety of cell lines
• With support of the wider team, investigate and troubleshoot production issues
• Provide support to the Lab Operations Manager for the day to day running of the lab and deputise when required
• Maintaining clear record of cell culture documentation (protocols, CoAs, inventory, QC data, etc.)
• Support with new process development, including onboarding of new cell lines or cell line-related technologies
• Work closely with the wider operations team to ensure smooth production and despatch of research materials
• Clean and maintain laboratory facilities in line with quality and health and safety requirements.
• Work in accordance with site and legislative employment policies and safety requirements.
  
  
  

What are you looking for?

• Extensive proven professional experience in a cell biology laboratory environment
• Significant experience of culturing and maintaining various types of cell lines
• Demonstrable evidence of troubleshooting and working with problematic cell lines
• Involvement with the set up and roll-out of new processes within a Cell Culture laboratory
• Experience in process development
• Previous involvement in the training and development of new starters
• Knowledge of Health and Safety protocols associated with a cell culture laboratory
• Experience in managing stock levels (consumables and cell line inventory)
• Excellent attention to detail and accurate record keeping
  
  
  

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact [email protected] or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.