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Job Profile
Core job information
Job Title
Genome Centre Technician
Dept./School/Inst.
William Harvey Research
Institute
Technical
Section/Centre/U Genome Centre
nit
Grade
3
Full time
Appointment
period
Current location
Career Family
Working hours per
week
Reports to (job title)
Genome Centre Manager
24 months
Charterhouse Square
Job purpose
 To be skilled in the technologies used within the lab; Sanger DNA sequencing, 2nd Generation DNA
sequencing (MiSeq & NextSeq), Microarray (Illumina), Single Cell gene expression and sequencing
Microsatellite genotyping, SNP genotyping, RNA and DNA quantification and robotics.
 To work diligently and accurately as part of a team to deliver collaborator projects on time and to
budget
 To support training and trouble-shooting where appropriate.
 Develop novel techniques to broaden the Centre’s expertise.
 To act as an advocate of the Centre and the Institute and it’s values
 To contribute to the general day-to-day running of the Genome Centre, including maintenance of the
laboratory infrastructure, review and updating of Standard Operating Procedures, general
housekeeping duties
 To work as part of the Institute’s research support team, being mutually supportive and covering duties
as necessary during colleagues’ absences and at times of additional pressure, as directed.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements
Essential/Desir
able
Qualifications
BSc in a biological discipline (eg, biology, biotechnology,
genetics, biochemistry) or equivalent
Essential
Experience
Previous laboratory experience
Essential
Experience in conventional DNA sequencing
Desirable
Experience in Microsatellite genotyping
Desirable
Experience in SNP typing
Desirable
Experience working with RNA
Desirable
Experience in 2nd Generation DNA sequencing
Desirable
Experience in DNA/ RNA microarray
Desirable
Working knowledge of computing in a biological setting
Desirable
Knowledge, skills &
abilities
Laboratory bench skills
Essential
Ability to maintain good laboratory records
Essential
Knowledge/ability to work safely with potentially hazardous
microbiological material
Essential
Evidence of good team working, in particular ability to interact
positively with project co-workers and to establish daily work
Good communication skills
Ability to organise and prioritise own work
Understanding of the research process
A meticulous eye for detail
Computer literacy, including word processing, Excel and
literature searches
Attitude & disposition
Other circumstances
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Flexible and co-operative
Essential
Self-motivated and hardworking
Essential
Willingness to learn new skills
Essential
Evidence of good team-working
Essential
Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project
demands.
Essential
Working Environment
Specific Duties
 To provide essential technical support for research projects.
 To provide supervision and technical training to new members of the team and visiting fellows.
 To maintain key techniques for the research team and be involved in new technique development.
 To contribute to publications and other presentations on the results of the research.
 To participate in discussions of the work of the laboratory, including data presentation, both orally and
in writing.
 To ensure that the laboratory is well stocked with reagents
 To ensure proper accounting rules within the laboratory are followed.
 To be responsible for managing laboratory safety, including maintaining a COSHH register for the
research team, responsibility for biochemical and other health and safety issues in the laboratory,
etc.
 General Duties
 To work as part of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists, nurses and support staff, developing
good working relationships within the team and making use of discussions with the project and other
team members as appropriate.
 To undertake certain general laboratory responsibilities, the nature of which will be discussed and
agreed prior to commencement of the post but which may need to be changed from time to time
during the course of the project.
 To maintain the highest standards of laboratory practice.
 To execute experiments.
 To collect and analyse data.
 To maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records and to ensure
that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentially of all electronically
stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
 To attend and participate in the Centre’s academic activities, e.g. laboratory and journal club meetings.
 To make research initiatives and original contributions to the research programme wherever possible,
and to contribute freely to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of
the research project as a whole.
 To keep up to date with scientific, clinical and professional issues, in particular developments in the
specific subject area.
 To be responsible for laboratory safety and ensure that all team members are fully aware of and
comply with the College’s/Trust’s policies and procedures in relation to confidentiality, health and
safety at work, COSHH regulations, infection control, safe handling of drugs, and all local safety rules
regarding fire, chemical, radioisotope and gene manipulation hazards.
Other
 The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the post holder will be expected to be
co-operative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time
be reasonably expected of a member of research grade staff in a university.
 These duties will be subject to review in line with the changing requirements of the Centre, Institute,
School or College, and with the development needs of the post holder as identified through regular
review/appraisal processes.
 The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the College's equal
opportunities policy.
 This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary
from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility
entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a
reconsideration of the grading of the post.



Freedom to Act & Decision Making
 Judgements involving complex facts or situations, some of which require analysis, interpretation and
comparison of data from laboratory experiments and includes making decisions that impact on other
projects within the Centre and/or external collaborations
 To prioritise own workload with minimum supervision
 To adopt flexible working practices where required
 Responsible, under the general guidance of the PI for undertaking the programme of work.
 Develop, in collaboration with the PI such new techniques as may be necessary to achieve the
objectives of the research.
 Make research initiatives and original contributions to the research programme wherever possible,
and to contribute freely to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of
the research project as a whole.
 Assist in the supervision of student projects, as necessary.
 To coordinate the provision of consumable items for the facility (auditing stock, liaising with suppliers,
preparing regular orders of commonly used items).
 Make research contributions to the research programme wherever possible, and to contribute freely
to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of the research project as
a whole.
 Monitor research findings with a view to commercial exploitation, and to inform the Head of
Department (or line manager, as appropriate) and Head of Innovation & Enterprise of any
appropriate novel research outcomes.
 Judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require analysis, interpretation and
comparison of data or any other information.
 To adopt flexible working practices where required.

Encourage interaction between team members.
Communication & Networking





Centre Manager
Genome Centre technical and administrative staff
Clinical & Non-Clinical academic, research and technical staff within the Institute.
Postgraduate and undergraduate students within the Institute.
Academic, research staff and support staff within the SMD and other QM departments.
Finance/Resource Management

No budgetary responsibility
People Management


No direct line management of staff
Supervision and training of new members of staff and students in appropriate lab techniques, etc.
This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without
changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and
cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
Organisation Chart