Research Technical Manager

Biosciences is one of the largest Divisions within UCL with 600 staff and 2040 undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, and a leading centre for research and teaching in the biological sciences. It brings together one of the UK's largest and most diverse life sciences communities, with strong integration across experimental, field, and computational approaches. Research spans evolutionary and population genetics, ecology and the environment, cell and developmental biology, computational biology, neuroscience, and structural and molecular biology. This work is supported by advanced scientific infrastructure and platforms (including light, electron and cryoEM microscopy, NMR, mass spectrometry, molecular biology and genomics) and a large community of 350 postgraduate research students integrated within doctoral research programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a team to lead and manage technical support provision within the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment (GEE) and across the wider Division of Biosciences. The role includes oversight of equipment management, Health and Safety, and departmental laboratory support services. The post holder will line manage members of the GEE Core Technical Team, collaborate with other Divisional Technical Teams, and liaise with the Divisional Operations Team and Estates on building maintenance and projects.

About the role

The main purpose of this position is to support laboratories working with a diverse range of non-mammalian model organisms, e.g. Drosophila melanogaster, stalk-eyed flies, wasps, Echinodermata, C. elegans, yeast, and others), including management of constant temperature rooms and general animal care requirements. This role also holds strategic and operational responsibility for the Divisional Media Preparation Facility, which supports multiple research groups across Biosciences and comprises of a team of 2 FTE staff.

The post holder will have responsibility for managing, coordinating and supervising the delivery of core technical support in the GEE Department as well as liaising with the Head of Research Department, group leaders and researchers across GEE to assess the needs associated with research and teaching; regularly re-assessing and adjusting provision accordingly. They will need to implement new local, Faculty or UCL systems and procedures as required, maintain a good working knowledge of Faculty, Divisional and UCL policies and procedures, and in addition to these duties the post holder will be expected to be flexible in their approach, as well as support and work collaboratively with academic and Professional Services colleagues within the Division and Faculty, and beyond.

About you

You must have an MSc/Level 7 qualification in a relevant Biological Sciences subject or equivalent experience, substantial experience in laboratory management in a Biological Sciences research laboratory and/or research facility or relevant subject area and proven experience in laboratory equipment usage and management (procurement, purchase, installation, training, maintenance, usage, troubleshooting) including highly specialised equipment.

Experience in management of Health & Safety in a laboratory environment and in holding significant H&S responsibilities is also essential.

Benefits

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our division holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.