Technician
- Posted 15 May 2026
- Salary Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum
- End date 15 June 2026
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Technical And Specialist
- Reference198753
- Expiry 15 Jun 2026 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
To manage technical aspects of the research on behalf of the Principal Investigator [PI], technical services manager or school, including providing specialist technical expertise in the relevant discipline and being responsible for the creation/set up and/or operation of all technical resources to aid the delivery of research objectives. In addition, the postholder will undertake a range of technical support activities in line with the College/School/Group Strategy.
This post will specifically manage technical aspects of the project, “How does run-on of developmental processes contribute to ageing?”, currently funded by the Wellcome Trust until 31 August 2032. The post will work closely with the PI (Dr Nathan Woodling) and other research staff carrying out this project. The post will be based in the Woodling lab, a group that primarily uses fruit fly (Drosophila) model systems to understand how the action of specific cell signalling pathways within individual tissues leads to organismal ageing.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Undertake specialist technical aspects and provide technical expertise of the specified research as a member of the research group/facility or service. Where required, perform laboratory inductions, supervision, and training of students or other technical/research staff.
2. Be responsible for the management of technical aspects of the research project, including where relevant, management of the laboratory, technical resources, and technical staff. Ensure timely and operational delivery of technical resources is optimised and seek to continuously improve the technical service.
3. Independently generate ideas and implement agreed proposals for experimental strategies.
4. Design, create, and optimise experiments, systems, protocols, equipment, and/or other technical resources to support the delivery of research objectives.
5. Keep up to date with developments in relevant research/technical areas and within the broader discipline to ensure contribution to research goals is optimised.
6. Be responsible for troubleshooting complex technical problems, including issues with the design and operation of technical resources and/or with the data which is generated.
7. Undertake complex data analysis, identifying trends, problems or anomalies, and present findings clearly to research group and/or to wider audiences via presentations or within appropriate research publications.
8. Where relevant, take day to day control of technical research budget, making informed decisions and advice on purchasing of capital equipment and consumables following consultation with appropriate colleagues.
9. Be responsible for the day-to-day management of and compliance with relevant Health and Safety and/or other specialist legal requirements. Maintain all necessary records in accordance with set requirements. Where relevant, keep up to date with developments or legal changes relevant to the work of the research group and advise and train group members as appropriate. Report any potential issues to the PI/service/facility manager, Safety Committee and/or relevant internal or external bodies timeously.
10. Work collaboratively with others, including within the wider College/Institute/School and where relevant with external contacts, to enhance the delivery of the research aims and support the broader strategic aims of the University. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings/discussions and contribute to the wider College/School/Group activities as required, including the Technician Commitment key themes, https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/technicians/
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
A1 Either ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role OR: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 [Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma] or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2 Up to date knowledge of relevant policies and procedures applicable to the role, including but not limited to Health and Safety.
Desirable
B1 Detailed knowledge of fruit fly (Drosophila) husbandry and functional genetics approaches.
B2 Up-to-date knowledge of using model organisms to investigate biological mechanisms of ageing.
B3 Breadth and depth of knowledge in molecular biology and microscopy techniques, including quantitative analysis of RNA and protein levels, immunofluorescence, and confocal microscopy.
Skills
Essential
C1 Demonstrable specialist technical skills aligned to the specified discipline or research project. Significant breadth or depth of technical knowledge and expertise in the relevant discipline. [Details of the discipline/project are as described in the post specific information and advert].
C2 Significant IT skills, including proficient user of relevant specialist or bespoke software packages.
C3 Significant analytical and problem-solving capability, including high degree of accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with complex data.
C4 Proven interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to understand, conceptualise and interpret technical requirements of a research group and adapt own style to meet the needs of others.
C5 Excellent teamworking skills and where relevant to the post, supervisory or line management skills.
C6 Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills relevant to the post.
C7 Ability to plan and prioritise a broad range of technical work to meet competing demands.
Experience
Essential
E1 Significant relevant work experience within a similar research environment, including evidence of previous outputs and professional development.
E2 Experience of understanding and interpreting complex technical requirements of service users and implementing appropriate methods of achieving their needs.
E3 Experience of operating independently in progressing and delivering research goals within set timescales.
Desirable
F1 Experience of managing budgets, including approving spends and monitoring outgoings on behalf of others.
F2 Significant relevant research experience using fruit fly (Drosophila) functional genetics techniques and/or other model organism genetics.
F3 Significant relevant research experience using a range of molecular biology and microscopy techniques.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 6, £33,951 - £37,694 per annum pro rata.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), and open ended with funding available for up to 6 years (31/08/32 hard end date) in the first instance.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Nathan Woodling at Nathan.Woodling@glasgow.ac.uk
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Closing date: 23:45 on Monday 15th June 2026