View Vacancy Media Prep and Glasswash Manager - Operations Group - Media Prep - LMB 2699 Open Date 20/08/2025, 09:00 Close Date 09/09/2025, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y Research Institute / Unit Information The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years. There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute. The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation. UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org Band MRC - 4 Location Cambridge Salary £36,196 - £45,589 per annum Contract Type Permanent Job Type Administration & Management Full Time / Part Time Full Time Job Description Overall purpose: The Media Prep and Glasswash Facility Manager has direct responsibility for the management and delivery of a high-quality media and glasswash service to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), encompassing the following main responsibilities: • Providing day-to-day management, direction, guidance and support for around ten staff members to ensure that the required services are delivered effectively and to the appropriate standards across the LMB. • Management of facility consumables and the maintenance/servicing of facility equipment within facility budgets. Main duties/ Key responsibilities: Management You will be responsible for the efficient running of the Media Prep and Glasswash facility, managing a team of around 10 staff who are responsible for the preparation and provision of a wide variety of services to support the LMB's scientific operations. Specific services provided by the team for which you are responsible include: • Preparation of liquid microbiological culture media. • Preparation of agar plates. • Preparation of 'fly food'. • Maintaining Drosophila stocks. • Preparation of sterile laboratory solutions (buffers, salt solutions etc.). • Used laboratory glassware collection. • Provision and restocking of clean glassware. • Autoclaving of glassware. • Mycoplasma testing. • Troubleshooting and resolving quality control issues. You will manage the service, including planning and allocation of work rotas (especially to ensure adequate absence cover across the team), ensuring that required levels of stock are maintained and ensuring that appropriate standards in quality and efficiency are maintained. You will also be responsible for trouble shooting and resolving issues as they arise. The majority of tasks will be undertaken by members of the team, but you will, if necessary, fill-in during absences or times of high workload. You will develop new working arrangements to expand or improve the service, developing and implementing new methods, recipes etc. and ensure all bespoke media orders are fulfilled in a timely manner and to a high standard. You will present strong team leadership, mentoring and good communication across the team, ensuring that staff welfare, training, support and development are provided. Given the wide range of services provided, this will require extensive cross-training. You will be responsible for recruitment within the team. You will manage the facility's intranet pages, in conjunction with the VisLab facility, to ensure that members of the LMB are aware of the services provided by the facility. Health and Safety You will be responsible within the facility for compliance with official legislation/regulations as well as local and MRC/UKRI policies and guidance (Health & Safety and other), including the below: • Responsible for the safety of all members of staff in the Media Prep & Glasswash team and contractors attending site. • Writing and managing the facility's policies, procedures, risk assessments and integrated working practice to deliver high-quality services in a safe manner. • Responsible for the training of staff on safe working practices, use of equipment and PPE requirements, and ensuring training records are kept up to date. Equipment maintenance You will be responsible for all the equipment and other facilities in the Media Prep and Glasswash facility, ensuring everything is running effectively and safely. This will involve managing external contracts and contractors, arranging regular servicing or call-out repairs (in conjunction with Laboratory Services), keeping up to date with developments in equipment/lab supplies and making recommendations for new or replacement equipment. You will also be responsible for routine servicing and repairs of all autoclaves throughout the LMB and, in conjunction with Estates & Facilities, ensure maintenance according to applicable legislation and maintain appropriate training of personnel and records. You will also be responsible for the business continuity strategy for the facility, in conjunction with senior management. Budget and stock management You will have delegated authority for all financial expenditure and aspects of the Media Prep and Glasswash facility, including: • Arranging the supply and purchasing arrangements for all consumables used within the facility, ensuring that necessary stock levels are maintained to deliver against business continuity needs. • Developing and maintaining appropriate record keeping of all spend. • Working with suppliers to ensure best pricing for consumables, equipment and service contracts to ensure the facility is cost effective. • Working with the LMB's Finance team to agree budgets and forecast spending for each financial year and over the 7-year institute review period. You will be responsible for producing performance reports for the Executive Committee and Senior Management as required. Sustainability Working with the Scientific Services Manager to promote a culture of sustainability, including: • Investigating sustainable alternatives for consumables and chemicals. • Taking sustainability into account when procuring new equipment. • Investigating and implementing new processes within the facility that allow the LMB to be more sustainable. Working relationships: • You will report to the Scientific Services and Sustainability Manager. • You will have line management responsibility for around 10 Media Prep and Glasswash staff. You will interact with: • Scientists in the LMB. • Other members of the Operations Group, including those in HR, Finance, Laboratory Services, Health & Safety and Estates & Facilities. • UKSBS / UKRI procurement. Person Specification Education / qualifications / training required: Essential: • Degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant scientific subject, or equivalent experience. Desirable: • Health and Safety qualification, such as IOSHH Managing Safely or NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, or equivalent experience. • Management qualification, ILM certificate or equivalent. Previous work experience required: Essential: • Previous laboratory experience including media preparation or equivalent, preferably including handling chemical and/or biological materials. • Proven experience of managing staff and resources. Desirable: • Extensive laboratory experience working within or leading a Media Prep and Glasswash facility. Knowledge and experience: Health & Safety Knowledge Essential: • Knowledge of safe working practices in a science laboratory environment, including containment facilities. • A strong understanding of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. Desirable: • An understanding of related legislation, such as the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations. IT Experience Essential: • Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word and Excel). Personal skills / behaviours / qualities: Leadership and Team Working Essential: • Excellent leadership skills and the ability to manage, develop and motivate a large, diverse team. • Ability to plan and allocate work rotas to optimise the use of resources and meet service requirements. • Ability to deal with difficult situations, determine appropriate actions and carry these through. • A proven ability to bring teams together during times of change whilst maintaining performance and output. • Experience in training and development of a team. Desirable: • Ability to handle conflict situations. • Customer focussed and flexible approach to your work. Independent Working and Organisational Skills Essential: • A high degree of self-motivation with the ability to work independently without a high level of supervision and to organise your own time effectively. • Ability to undertake and plan multiple tasks whilst prioritising facility workloads according to need. Problem Solving Skills Essential: • Ability to tackle problems as and when they arise, applying solutions that take account of all relevant issues such as financial, quality and timing. • Ability to exercise judgement even under pressure. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail. • Ability to implement change. Verbal and Written Communication Skills Essential: • Excellent written skills and the ability to produce documentation for staff at all levels. • Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to talk to staff at all levels. • Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build enduring and effective working relationships with staff at all levels, understanding that different people have different needs and styles of working. Desirable • Ability to negotiate effectively, particularly when dealing with services and suppliers. Further Information You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI: • Code of Conduct • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy • Health and Safety policy • Data Protection policy Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager. The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.