Senior Research Technician - College of Medicine and Health Grade 5

Job Description

College of Medicine and Health

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,062 to £31,900, with potential progression once in post to £35,883

Grade: 5

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 28th June 2026

At the heart of Genomics Birmingham is a simple motivation: to facilitate excellent science. We are not a commercial contract research organisation; we exist to support researchers and reduce the risk associated with high‑cost, high‑impact experimental work. Our work is underpinned by a dedicated team of highly trained and experienced scientists. This expertise allows us to refine workflows, develop detailed and robust standard operating procedures (SOPs), and deliver reproducible, high‑quality data for both fundamental and clinically focused research.

Birmingham Genomics has state‑of‑the‑art facilities with newly acquired equipment such as 10x Chromium and 10x Visium (in collaboration with BTA). The core facility has Illumina sequencers (MiSeq, Next Seq 2000 and Nova Seq 6000), an Oxford Nanopore sequencer (PromethION) and an Olink Signature Q100. Some QPCR and Cell Rad instruments are run on an “instrument access” model centrally, with library preparation and sample preparation carried out within each core.

We also have liquid‑handler robots: the Hamilton NGS Star, the SPT Dragonfly and the Formulatrix F.A.S.T and two bead‑handler machines (Thermofisher Kingfishers). We have access to a cloud‑based HPC facility on site (Bear CLOUD), as well as a dedicated research data network.

This post sits within the CMH Infrastructure and Facilities team in Genomics Birmingham. The post‑holder will provide support to Genomics Birmingham’s proteomic, transcriptomic and genomic services.

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.

In order to flexibly use resources you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

• Process samples using techniques that include assessing the quality and quantity of RNA and DNA samples using the Qubit and Agilent Tape station; setting up next‑generation sequencing (NGS) libraries on the Illumina MiSeq, Next Seq and Nova Seq platforms; carrying out NGS library preparation on customer RNA and DNA samples; working within the Olink Target qPCR‑proteomic service using the Olink Signature Q100;
  
  working within the Olink Reveal/Explore NGS‑proteomic service using liquid‑handling robots and sequencers; RNA and DNA extractions from blood, tissue and FFPE samples; supporting the colleagues currently overseeing the 10× single‑cell projects; processing of tissue samples for 10× single‑cell to the single‑cell level; using liquid‑handling robots on different projects; learning new techniques such as Oxford Nanopore long‑read sequencing and single‑cell DNA technology.
• Assist in managing the experimental and laboratories.
• Advise on methods and procedures used by researchers and/or students, communicating with colleagues and inexperienced students.
• Diagnose and resolve problems and suggest solutions regarding techniques and experiments.
• Carry out specialist technical and experimental procedures, assessing the correct technique to use, and considering how these may be improved, referring to your manager for approval on any proposed changes.
• Maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures, and other research activities including results.
• Ensure compliance with legislation relevant to the area of research/activity.
• Comply with and promote operating procedures…