Specialist Technician (Virology) - School of Chemistry - 104637 - Grade 6

Position Details

School of Chemistry

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 6, salary £35,608.

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2030 

Closing date: 20^th September 2026

Background

The University of Birmingham is a global institution working within a diverse and vibrant City, offering an inspiring education to our students, and undertaking critically important research.  We are a place of open, critical thinking, and the creation, sharing and dissemination of knowledge.  Professional Services put students at the heart of all they do and enable an exceptional educational experience. They provide outstanding support to our researchers and help the University to grow its influence regionally, nationally, and globally. They ensure the University’s resources are used wisely, manage and improve the infrastructure which sits at the heart of the institution, and support decisions to be made quickly and based on sound evidence.  Our Birmingham Professional programme operates across the University, supporting colleagues to network and collaborate, offering opportunities to learn and develop, contributing to the delivery of the University’s objectives, and helping everyone to understand the broader context within which we work.

Department overview 

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham is a vibrant and thriving academic community with over 140 academic and research staff, 25 professional services staff and over 600 students. With a strong focus on its three main research themes, energy, sustainability and health, and a number of interdisciplinary interest groups, the School has ambitious plans to grow research activity; combined with investment from the University for the new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory and Molecular Sciences Research Building, we are entering an exciting period.

Role Summary

The successful candidate will support the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. Specifically, the appointed technician will work as part of an EPSRC funded project aimed at the design, synthesis, characterisation and testing of polymers as antivirals. Their role will specifically be focused on supporting the virology aspects of this funded project and the wider research group.

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.

Main Duties

1. You will be responsible for assisting in managing the experimental (class II) biological laboratories within the School of Chemistry.
2. You will be required to support activities within class I biological labs more widely within the School of Chemistry. 
3. 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. 
4. You will need to be able to diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions in regard to techniques and experiments.
5. 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 the PI for approval on any proposed changes.
6. 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. 
7. Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
8. Comply with and promote the operating procedures for the area, including the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures regulation.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained. 
12. Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
13. Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the laboratory.
14. Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.
15. Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems. Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and biological/chemical reagents.
16. Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
17. Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained. 
18. Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. 
19. Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working and assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
20. Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Previous knowledge of virology, and associated techniques, is essential for this position.
• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) or relevant technical qualification and relevant experience - where no equivalent qualification is held, extensive proven practical and technical experience in a similar role will be required.
• Extensive proven practical experience in a relevant scientific, technical or IT specialism.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to analyse information and data.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Katherine Twiggs, email: [email protected] 

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.