Laboratory Technician (Biology)
About Vernalis
Working within our fully equipped research laboratories in Cambridge, our established group of scientists are world leaders in fragment and structure-based drug discovery.
Our scientists develop and apply fragment and structure-based methods to solve problems in drug discovery and have generated cell active lead compounds and development candidates against targets in oncology, neurodegeneration, anti-infectives and inflammation.
The Role
This laboratory-based position plays an integral role in the operational support of laboratories at Vernalis and aids the work of our teams and the smooth running of the associated drug discovery projects. This role will be responsible for conducting a range of standard laboratory-based and stock-taking activities while adhering to the daily hygiene and health and safety protocols of the laboratories.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing technical support to the wider team
- Ensuring the smooth running of the laboratory
- Conducting routine laboratory support activities such as preparing media, autoclaving, glassware wash-up and hazardous waste disposal
- Ordering and maintaining laboratory stock levels of plasticware and chemicals
- Performing housekeeping duties relevant to daily hygiene and safety of the laboratories
- Taking receipt of incoming shipments, unpacking, storing and registering
- Compound registration and storage
- Planning, setting up and undertaking controlled experiments such as large-scale bacterial culturing and harvesting as the team requires
- Accurate documentation of all experimental work in electronic lab notebooks and databases as required
Knowledge & Experience
Desirable:
- Previous technical experience within a laboratory-based environment
- Experience in aseptic techniques, including preparation of media and the routine maintenance of bacterial cultures,
- Familiarity with relevant IT informatics tools to enable data collection, analysis, record keeping and reporting
Skills and Competencies
- Good organisational skills and communication
- Competent IT user, training can be provided
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work well independently and in collaboration with others in an inter-disciplinary environment
- Capacity to deal with and manage tight deadlines and changing priorities
- Ability to take own responsibility for continuous personal development
- Disciplined, methodical and thorough in their approach and possess an eye for detail to ensure that lab work and record keeping is consistent and accurate
- Well organised to deal with fluctuations in workload and changing priorities
- Ability to build effective working relationships with scientists, project leaders and colleagues to plan workflow and requirements
The Person
- Enthusiastic, reliable and conscientious attitude
- Asks questions and consults with senior employees and team members for clarification when uncertain
- Willingness to embrace new technologies and carry out improvements to working practice
Why Vernalis?
At Vernalis you will be part of ‘One Team’ working in a friendly and collaborative office.
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits including generous pension contributions, private healthcare cover, 26 days annual leave for a full-time position plus bank holidays, holiday purchase scheme, flexitime, discretionary bonus, employee assistance programme and enhanced family leave policies.
Whilst we are advertising this vacancy as a full-time position (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) we would also like to hear from you if you prefer to work 5 shorter days, Monday to Friday as other working patterns can be considered.
If you feel passionate about joining a team where scientific excellence and enthusiasm combine in a friendly and flexible environment to impact drug discovery projects, then please get in touch!
To apply please send across your CV to: HR@vernalis.com
Please include a covering letter which outlines your suitability and motivation for this position.
Vernalis Research is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.