Mass Spectrometry Technician

Your Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Mass Spectrometry Laboratory Technician to provide essential laboratory and experimental support for Mass Spectrometry in the Plant Biology Institute, with a particular focus on LC‑MS and GC‑MS workflows. The technician will work closely with a Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Scientist, within a broader platform team that provides and continuously develops analytical infrastructure functionalities to researchers pursuing ambitious scientific goals.

This role involves hands‑on responsibility for setting up and conducting mass spectrometry analyses in support of research priorities of the institute, as well as collaborating with researchers across EIT. Furthermore, the post-holder will ensure the smooth and efficient operation of mass spectrometry facilities through routine maintenance, calibration, quality control and troubleshooting, and use appropriate protocols to process samples for analysis.

The ideal candidate will have experience performing these functions in a fast‑moving environment, an interest in contributing to commercially sustainable solutions for real‑life impact and be a detail‑oriented problem solver.

This role offers a unique opportunity to be involved in high‑impact research at the forefront of plant science, while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and contributing to innovation from lab to global impact.

• Perform high-quality GC‑MS and LC‑MS analyses, selecting and applying appropriate protocols for different sample types.
• Process and prepare biological samples for mass spectrometry.
• Acquire, process, manage, and analyse data from MS experiments, using specialised software, appropriate database queries, and bioinformatics tools.
• Consult with researchers on experimental design, sample processing requirements, analytical approaches, and interpretation of mass spectrometry data.
• Train users on LC‑MS and GC‑MS data acquisition and data analysis.
• Perform routine instrument maintenance, calibration, quality control, and troubleshooting as needed.
• Manage supplier relationships, such as organising and attending meetings with representatives or manufacturer engineers and coordinating necessary visits for maintenance and repairs.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, instrument logs, and documentation in accordance with established SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory health and safety procedures and good laboratory practice.
• Assist with inventory and stock management for mass spectrometry facilities.

• BSc degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry, or an equivalent discipline.
• Demonstrable experience in the operation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of mass spectrometry instrumentation.
• Experience with the operation, calibration, and troubleshooting of chromatography systems.
• Experience preparing and processing biological samples for chromatographic and mass spectrometry analyses.
• Experience with data processing and interpretation using mass spectrometry software packages.

• Specialist knowledge of GC‑MS column selection and method optimisation appropriate to different analyte classes and sample types.
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of a range of mass spectrometry instrument types.
• Experience utilising R, MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for data processing, analysis and visualisation.
• Relevant experience in metabolomics, plant science, environmental analysis, forensic analysis, clinical research, or related fields.
• Experience in targeted and untargeted data acquisition and data analysis, and familiarity with suitable methodological approaches and software for each respective case.
• Commercial awareness and relevant work experience in an industry setting, biotech startup, or comparable environment.
• Experience working within a core facility, shared instrumentation platform, or similar environment.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

• Salary dependent on experience + travel allowance + bonus
• Enhanced holiday + options to buy additional days
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance
• Hospital Cash Plan
• Therapy Services
• Perk Box
• Electric Car Scheme
• Childcare benefit

• You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, and this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• You will live in or within easy commuting distance of Oxford (or be willing to relocate).