Research Technician

The University of Manchester seeks a Research Technician to apply directed-evolution methods to evolve traits in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplasts. Responsibilities include using molecular biology techniques, attending meetings, maintaining lab stocks, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Essential skills include experience with recombinant DNA methods and molecular biology techniques. The role may consider hybrid working arrangements, but it is primarily based in Manchester.
The overall aim is to apply new directed-evolution methods developed in Manchester University to rapidly evolve new traits in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplasts. This multidisciplinary project involves teams in Manchester, Edinburgh and UCL-London. The post involves assisting and working independently on research requiring recombinant DNA/molecular biology methods to clone, overexpress, purify and characterise mutator DNA polymerases using in vitro assays, which will then be tested in vivo in algal cells. The post requires attending consortium meetings, supporting staff/students, maintenance of lab stocks and strains, liaising with technical services e.g. to maintain equipment, knowledge and compliance of relevant Health and Safety regulations.

Essential Skills: Knowledge and experience of recombinant DNA methods: cloning DNA in Escherichia coli plasmid vectors, growth of bacteria for Induction and purification of overexpressed proteins. Molecular biology methods: PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing, SDS-PAGE and western blots.

What you will get in return:
• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Please note, under the new immigration rules this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the Points Based System. Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK in order to be eligible to take up the post.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Drs Anil Day or Alejandra Méndez-Leyva

Email: anilday@manchester.ac.uk / alejandra.mendezleyva@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.