The Opportunity: AVANTOR Services offers a wide range of laboratory support services designed to save our customers time and money. These services range from centralised glass washing to research technician activities. However, they all share a central theme in supporting our customers and allowing them to recover valuable research time to increase the productivity of their labs. We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Research Technician to join our service, providing technical support in the Joint AstraZeneca-Cancer Research Horizons Functional Genomics Centre (FGC), a unique and equal collaboration between industry and academia, with the goal to identify novel targets and resistance mechanism to create novel cancer medicines. To achieve this, the FGC is developing and applying advanced CRISPR/Cas technologies to perform genome-wide screens to interrogate gene function in the context of drug treatment to fully support AZ’s pre-clinical Oncology portfolio. The jobholder will mainly support the Functional Genomics team in performing routine genome-wide CRISPR screens and provide general support within both cell culture and molecular biology laboratories. The successful candidate will join Avantor on a 12-month contract and report to the Research Services Team Lead and will be task managed on a day-to-day basis within the client environment. This role is lab-based focusing on the delivery of the FGC’s technical support in accordance with Health and Safety and GLS requirements. The successful candidate will significantly contribute to the practical delivery of genome-wide CRISPR screens with hands-on experience of general mammalian tissue culture, with molecular biology techniques including Next Generation Sequencing libraries preparation being advantageous. Additional knowledge and experience in experimental set ups would also be valuable. Key Tasks: To carry out all scientific support activities mainly in the cell culture laboratories in accordance with Health and Safety guidelines and local agreements including the regulations governing COSHH, biological agents and genetically modified organisms as detailed in relevant AZ risk assessments To be an effective member of the Functional Genomics team supporting project teams to meet their objectives Supporting general day-to-day laboratory activities within cell culture labs as required and directed by the lead lab representative, for example: Preparing and aliquoting cell culture reagents and maintaining stock levels General housekeeping including organising and participating in lab cleaning rotas To take a key role supporting tissue culture activities: Sterile culture of mammalian cells Measuring growth kinetics of mammalian cells Performing antibiotics kill curves Generation and testing of Lentiviruses Generation of Cas9 cell lines Performing genome-wide CRISPR screens To execute experimental procedures according to study plan and contribute to the interpretation of experimental data and planning of further experiments To ensure accurate recording of results and methodologies in accordance with guidelines and effectively communicate to other members of the team, project, section and department Accurate and prompt writing up of experiments into client’s electronic lab notebook Your skills, knowledge & competencies: Educated to bachelor’s degree level or similar with at least 6 months laboratory experience in a relevant scientific discipline Practical experience of Mammalian cell culture Proven ability to work collaboratively Ability to work on own initiative and unsupervised to deadlines, planning, organising and setting priorities for own work showing well-developed organisational and time management skills Outstanding communication skills on all levels, problem solving capabilities and ability to work as a team member Ability to deal promptly, effectively and courteously with requests for information and to use initiative in solving problems and responding to queries ensuring compliance with standard procedures and practices Computer literate: articulate, confident and competent in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel with experience of using databases, analytical packages and presenting data using standard techniques e.g. PowerPoint, spreadsheets, computerised reports etc. Able to adapt emerging best practices and industry innovations Ability to support a project manager and deliver to agreed deadlines Who you are: Proven ability to work collaboratively Highly organised and self-motivated Clear, concise written and spoken communication skills Good problem-solving capabilities and confidence to react promptly to deliver the best service possible Good time management skills, ability to be flexible and handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis Ability to work independently and as part of a team Basic IT skills (including Microsoft Word/ Excel) What's on offer: This opportunity not only offers the chance to work in a dynamic growing R&D team but also in a company that is looking to expand in an exciting area of research. This position also offers a competitive salary and benefits package, with a flexible approach to work in line with your qualifications and experience. This is a 12-month assignment. LI-Onsite Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Why Avantor? Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000 associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today! EEO Statement: We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. 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