Job Profile

Core Job Information
Job Title / Genomics and Biomedical LaboratoriesManager
Dept./School/Inst. / School of Biological and Chemical Sciences / Department / Psychology and Cell Molecular Departments
Career Family / Technical / Grade / 4
Working hours per week / 1.0 FTE (nominal split 0.5 to Psychology and Cell & Molecular Departments) / Appointment period / 8 months
Reports to (job title) / Cell Molecular DepartmentsLaboratories Manager / Current location / Mile End Campus
Job Purpose
The Laboratory Manager will have overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day management and technical support for all the research and teaching activities in the Behavioural Genomics Laboratoriesand Containment Laboratories (spending 50% of their time supporting biomedical activities and 50% supporting Genomics activities), in order to realise the objectives of the School.
The responsibilities of the role include -
  • operational management of thelaboratories
  • providing expert advice, trainingand trouble-shooting service to all users of the laboratories
  • assist the Health and Safety co-ordinator in maintaining a positive safety culture in the research laboratories
  • support research and teaching needs within the School to ensure high quality technical support is provided. This may involve on occasion working in other laboratories in support of wider School needs for research and teaching.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements / Essential/Desirable
Qualifications / Relevant BSc degree or extensive work experience in a related laboratory technician role / E
Experience / Experience of Health and Safety procedures in Behavioural genomics and biomedical laboratories
Experience of working in a research environment
Experience of preparing tissues for histological analysis and performing histological procedures i.e. in situ hybridisation and counterstaining / E
E
D
Knowledge, skills & abilities / In depth knowledge of Health and Safety and COSHH regulations
An understanding of the implications of complying/not complying with health and safety and best practice, committed to role modelling best practice.
A good understanding of the research process.
Ability to develop a good understanding of academics’ research areas and to use this and more general knowledge about the work of academics to effectively support, inform, negotiate and influence both new and well established academics
Good communications skills, both written and oral, preferably with experience of using these skills in a teaching/training environment.
Ability to work safely and effectively unsupervised, and also as an active team member
Ability to cope with demanding work under pressure and to tight deadlines; to deal with the conflicting demands and timescales of concurrent research projects.
Good numeracy skills, able to analyse and interpret scientific data and also understand and effectively manage, monitor and control budgets.
Good level of literacy able to comprehend technical instructions and scientific theory.
Ability to organise and prioritise own work and coordinate others with the regard to effective use of resources.
Good interpersonal skills to provide a supportive laboratory environment to academics and students and fellow technicians. This will include having some ability to influence and negotiate with users to ensure best use of laboratory and to manage shifting priorities from multiple sources and to liaise with providers effectively.
Excellent analytical and good problem-solving skills able to use initiative to identify potential problems and opportunities to manage them effectively resolving independently were appropriate. / D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Attitude & disposition / An interest and willingness to engage in and make contributions to interdisciplinary research projects.
Work flexibly and co-operatively alone or as part of a team.
Willingness and ability to learn new skills and experimental techniques and promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement personally and with direct reports and students role interacts with.
Commitment to providing a high quality service to internal users with due regard to sustainability, value for money and equality and diversity.
Willingness to provide technical support for behavioural experiments with animals / E
E
E
E
E
Other circumstances / The role will involve moving laboratory equipment on a daily basis and the setting up of complex equipment which required good manual dexterity. Aids such as trolleys will be available to move larger equipment. / E
Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
Laboratory Management
Provide technical support for the research groups using the Genomics and Containment Laboratories.
Be responsible for the operational management and day-to-day running of the Biomedical, Containment and Genomics researchlaboratories. Utilising technical knowledge and experience to meet the requirements of the research projects supported.
Contribute to the development of new or improved methods and techniques as research agendas change
Ensure that all laboratory and facility users are adequately trained and skilled to work in a safe and competent manner. Arranging installation and demonstration sessions.
Work independently, and in conjunction with other staff and students, to plan and conduct laboratory work in support of research and teaching projects (e.g. developing experiments for practical sessions).
Define standard protocols for the use of equipment and experimental techniques etc.
Performing routine safety checks on the Containment III laboratory and the equipment housed in it (checking room integrity, analysing cabinet air flow rates etc).
Act as a point of contact such any issues that arise (Containment III servicing/laboratory problems) could be handled via them.
Organising and maintaining the HSE/DEFRA documentation associated with the Containment III laboratory up to date.
Work with the Building Manager to ensure that the departmentalresearch space is being utilised efficiently.
Liaise with users of laboratories to ensure that the departmentalresearch laboratories are fit for purpose. The expectation is that the role holder responds positively and proactively to constructive feedback.
Ensure that laboratory consumables and items of equipment are sufficient, correctly inventoried and audited.
Equipment and Instrumentation
The post-holder will be expected to know how to use all the equipment within the departments.
Acquire and deploy new skills where appropriate
Provide training on how to use the equipment to all users.
Ensure equipment is serviceable and ready for use, checked and maintained/serviced as necessary.
Health and Safety and COSHH
In conjunction with Health and Safety Co-ordinator, ensure that University policies on Health and Safety and Ethics are applied. This may include
  • Supplying specialist Health and Safety knowledge/expertise to inform policy as required and assist in writing health and safety policies, local rules and standard operating procedures for the departments.
  • Ensure that appropriate COSHH and risk assessment procedures are followed and documented for all laboratory and field work.
  • Assist and undertake inspections, audits, accident investigations where necessary.
  • Ensure that fire regulations are adhered to.
  • Ensure ethics regulations and policies are adhered to where appropriate
Other
Evaluate new techniques and equipment that may be of use to enhance the effectiveness of research carried out within the departments.
Work in a flexible and supportive manner covering for peaks in demand and ad hoc needs for technical support in laboratories across the School to ensure, as part of a technical team, there is high quality support for teaching and research.
Other duties as may reasonably be expected and agreed with the departmentalLeads and the Cell Molecular DepartmentalLaboratory Manager.
Working Environment
Be responsible for the day to day running of theGenomics and Biomedical laboratories.
Provide essential technical support for laboratoryresearch and teaching projects.
Manage the effective operation of the Genomics and Biomedical laboratories within the School.
Provide supervision and technical training to members of staff, students and visiting fellows.
Be responsible for the effective operation maintenance, and security of the Genomics and Biomedical laboratories.
Be responsible for managing laboratory safety, including maintaining a COSHH (1998) register for all laboratory activities, and for electrical, mechanical and other health and safety issues in laboratories.
Disposing and documenting clinical waste generated in the lab in accordance to HSE requirements.
Provide safety and induction training for new facility users and maintain appropriate records.
Assist in the development and evaluation of new procedures and keep appropriate records of data obtained.
Participate in courses, conferences and other activities relevant to personal and professional development.
Freedom to Act & Decision Making
  • The Laboratories Manager will make key decisions on the day-to-day actions required to ensure the smooth running and future efficiency of the Genomics and Containment laboratories, under the guidance of the Cell Molecular Laboratories Manager. Applying a good working knowledge of specialised techniques, equipment and systems to carry out a range of defined tests and analyses.
  • Exercise judgement in the organisation of own workload and be able to prioritise without supervisory control, seeking guidance from appropriate academic staff as required.
  • Exercise judgement and provide advice on the health and safety of laboratory staff and procedures whilst working within established College policies and procedures.

Communication & Networking
  • The Laboratories Manager will need to develop and maintain strong relationships with the research groups within the Departments.
  • Maintain good communications with the staff and students as well as external customers and software and hardware suppliers.
  • Liaise with academic staff to optimise research output and success in research grant applications.
  • Communicate with laboratory staff in other schools/centres/institutes and within the wider college, as appropriate.
  • Communicate with college staff in Professional Services.
  • Communicate with companies who provide services, goods or funding.
  • Liaise with academic staff and suppliers to negotiate the purchase of new equipment.

Finance/Resource Management
Provide input to the resource planning process for the laboratory facilities.
Assess and report on laboratory equipment, infrastructure and staffing needs as requested by line manager and academic leads.
Carry out procurement for the laboratory in line with QMUL policy and processes.
People Management
  • The post holder will be required to plan the work of him/herself and others to ensure projects under their control are kept to time/plan/deadline.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.