Apprentice Scientific Support Operative

THE ROLE

As Apprentice Scientific Support Operative is our entry level role into the business. It is a full-time role with scheduled time out for study at college. The role will equip you with a foundation of the scientific operations of the organisation, particularly in cell culture, reagent preparation and parts of cell-based assays, all of which are aimed at ensuring the smooth running of the laboratory practices and delivering high quality data to our customers.

You will be involved in providing scientific support to the Operations team in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and collaborating with colleagues to provide all the necessary cell cultures, media and reagents for customer studies on time and to a high standard. You will receive the required training and development for this role and through your learning and knowledge, quickly understand the value and importance of this role.

WHAT WE EXPECT YOU TO DO

Laboratory Techniques

• Understand and follow cell culture processes including thaw, maintenance, banking and release testing of all cell lines for routine and pre-assay cell culture.

• Prepare and maintain stock of all media, reagents, and buffers.

• Perform assay component tasks including but not limited to: PBMC thaw, assay take offs, plate coating.

• Perform all aspects of cell line development studies including transductions, selection, expansion, cloning out and document review.

• Perform new techniques as directed by Scientific Support Supervisor/Manager.

General

• Independently prepare documentation for custom media/reagents/cell culture.

• Prepare cell culture instructions and ensure full traceability of our cell banks from thaw through to release.

• Create the cell culture schedule including creation of cell banks and pre assay culture.

• Create and book in new cell banks in LIMS.

• Complete study records and input information into CoAs for in house materials such as cell banks and proteins.

Compliance

• Create or adapt new documents for scientific support processes.

• Independently identify, undertake, and complete both simple and complex change controls.

• Propose ideas for continual improvement and collaborate and participate in implementation.

• Write risk assessments e.g. media/reagent alternatives.

• Ensure all completed documentation is archived in a timely manner.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to all health and safety policies in the workplace.

• Always wear PPE that is appropriate to the task being carried out.

• Ensure compliance with COSHH documentation in support of correct handling and storage.

• Ensure compliance with COSHH documentation in support of disposal of materials and

biological waste.

• Prepare COSHH and health and safety risk assessments, supported by the Health & Safety

Committee.

• Identify and report and hazards or accidents observed in the workplace to the Health and

Safety Committee.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR FROM YOU

We would like you to have the following:

· An enthusiasm for science and a willingness to build upon knowledge already gained.

· Be self-motivated, proactive, and wanting to grow and develop their career with us.

· The ability to understand and follow SOP-driven procedures with minimal errors/revisions.

· Laboratory experience in an academic or industrial setting, would be beneficial but is not essential.

· Higher/Advanced Higher Biology or Life Sciences. (HNC/HND in relevant field would be advantageous)

To support a culture within RoukenBio which is aligned to our company values and behaviours, we would like you to be:

· Highly organised, be productive with the ability to deliver your work on time and to a high standard.

· An excellent communicator and able to foster relationships externally and internally at all levels within the business.

· Friendly with a helpful attitude.

· Self-aware, have emotional intelligence with the ability to see things from others’ perspective.

· A team player to learn, grow and share best practice with colleagues.

· Focused and have a strong attention for detail.

· Self-motivated and proactive.

· Of a curious mindset, question, listen and enhance your own understanding of what we do.

· Contribute to continuous improvement within the business.

· Customer focused with the customer at the heart of everything that you do.

· A champion for self-learning and development in support of employee development.

· Accountable with ownership for the tasks trained in and for delivery.

Flexible and adaptable.

WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM US

You will get the chance to learn, grow, develop, and enhance your career within a biotechnology company at the forefront of drug development strategies. In addition, the company offers the following benefits package:

• Starting salary of £22,932.

• Pension.

• 32 days holiday per annum (inclusive of public holidays) which increases to a maximum of 37.

• Death in Benefit Service which includes access to a 24/7 virtual GP.

• Flexible working.

• Yearly Audible subscription.

• Refer a Friend Scheme.

• On-site car parking.

• Free Healthy Snacks.

• Merit Award Recognition Scheme.

• The opportunity to join several committees or focus groups (Employee Engagement, Wellness, Recognition, Health & Safety or Social Committee).