Job Description
Job Title: Research Technician
Posting Start Date: 19/02/2026
Job Id: 2238
School/Department: School of Medicine & Population Health
Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): 27,319.00
Closing Date: 25/02/2026
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
We have an exciting opportunity in the Division of Clinical Medicine for someone with a passion for disease modelling looking to use their skills in in vivo modelling and drug screening to make an impact on translatable research. Rare connective tissue disorders have a significant impact on patient lives and increasing research on drug screening in in vivo models are improving patient healthcare. You will join the Balasubramanian lab in Firth Court to investigate specific genes involved in Osteogenesis Imperfecta, as well as other connective tissue disorders, in zebrafish disease models. As this role requires detailed, deep-phenotyping and molecular analysis, it provides an excellent opportunity to develop your microscopy skills, molecular biology and data/image analysis. This role offers you the opportunity to multitask projects and contribute to the maintenance of the Balasubramanian Lab to promote productive and efficient high-quality research. Educated to a Masters level, you will have the commitment and drive to ask hypothesis-driven questions to better understand disease mechanisms and their impact in Osteogenesis Imperfecta. You will have the potential to publish in journals and present your data at internal research events. In vivo modelling and microscopy experience is essential, with a genetics and molecular biology background desirable.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Investigate genes involved in Osteogenesis Imperfecta in a zebrafish model using mutant and transgenic lines.
* Perform skeletal/collagen phenotypic assays and high quality fluorescent imaging to assess disease progression.
* Perform molecular assays (i.e. qPCR) in mutant zebrafish to understand impact of disease on gene expression.
* Maintain breeding stocks of zebrafish.
* Analyse data and present at regular lab meetings.
* Assist with lab maintenance duties.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Post-graduate qualification. Masters, in a relevant subject, e.g. molecular biology, genetics (or equivalent relevant experience)
Essential
Application
Experience with in vivo models, including zebrafish
Essential
Application/Interview
Experience in microscopy, including fluorescent microscopes
Essential
Application/Interview
Experience in staining assays for skeletal/collagen development, e.g. Alcian blue and Alizarin red assays
Desirable
Application/Interview
Ability to organise workload and time management to meet deadlines
Essential
Application/Interview
Experience and willingness to assist with lab support, e.g. stock maintenance, ordering
Desirable
Application/Interview
Ability to multitask and handle several projects at once
Essential
Application/Interview
Ability to present data, with high quality written and verbal skills
Essential
Application/Interview
Keep high quality, detailed records of experiments and data
Essential
Application/Interview
Further Information
Grade
5.1
Salary
£27,319 per annum (pro-rota)
Work arrangement
Full-time
Duration
As soon as possible – 31/01/2027
Line manager
Principal Investigator
Direct reports
Research Associate
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Daniel Baird, Research Associate: on or on
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on shortly after the advert closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing Team at smph-west-
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: ().
What we offer
* A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways and Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
* paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
* support for those going through the menopause
* paid time off and support for fertility treatment
* and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date : 25/02/2026
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.