Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician

Role

Title:

Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician

Grade and Salary: Grade 5, £26,707 - £31,236 per annum

FTE and Working Pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week);
Fixed-term (35 months)

Reward and Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus 9 bank holidays (including Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday). Use our total rewards calculator:  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University.

The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) aims to accelerate the commercialisation of the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland, the UK and worldwide. IBioIC’s Bioprocessing Scale‑Up Centre (Flex Bio) based at Heriot Watt University supports industry and academia, allowing them to execute scale‑up studies using state‑of‑the‑art fermentation and downstream processing equipment.

Hosted within the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3), Flex Bio provides clients with access to expertise and equipment to carry out semi‑pilot scale fermentation and downstream processing. This primarily encompasses microbial culture at scales up to 300 litres, along with a variety of downstream processing techniques for cell and molecule separation. These methods are used in the production of bio‑based products for various industrial biotechnology market segments, and include whole cells, as well as enzyme, peptide, and small‑molecule‑derived products.

Many of our industry clients work within exciting areas of biotechnology such as marine, agriceuticals, biomass, carbon capture, biomaterials and food, all helping to deliver the national biotechnology plan and working towards ‘net‑zero’. Learn more about what we do:

FlexBIO is seeking a motivated and skilled Lab Technician to join our dynamic team specialising in fermentation and cell culture scale‑up and downstream processing. The facility features advanced bioreactors and fermenters ranging from 2 L to 300 L, alongside complementary downstream processing equipment, to support innovative bioprocessing solutions development for external clients and academics.

This role is essential to maintaining a high standard of laboratory operation and efficiency. The Lab Technician will support daily technical tasks, from preparing and maintaining equipment to performing routine cleaning and maintenance, inventory control and purchasing of consumables, and assisting in training and facility records upkeep. The position requires a proactive and competent individual with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well with all team members across various functions.

The role holder will be line‑managed by the Upstream Bioprocessing Manager.

• Assist in the setup, calibration, operation and monitoring of bioreactors, fermenters and associated downstream processing equipment.
• Support the team with project operations and troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with senior scientists.
• Aid in the preparation and sterile handling of cultures and media for fermentation and cell culture processes.
• Aid in the preparation of buffers and reagents for downstream processes and upstream sample analysis.
• Perform routine cleaning operations on equipment and ensure compliance with local health and safety procedures.

• Coordinate overall scheduling of equipment maintenance, including requesting RAMS, liaising with building management and service engineers, collating and recording service reports, actioning follow‑up orders.
• Maintain schedules for cleaning and maintenance of the scale‑up facility and its equipment.
• Perform regular cleaning, sanitation and routine maintenance of laboratory and bioprocessing equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Monitor and track equipment performance and report issues promptly to maintain process continuity.
• Follow strict cleaning protocols to ensure contamination control.

• Maintain inventory of lab supplies and consumables; assist in purchasing materials to ensure the facility is stocked appropriately with both routine and client consumables.
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for…