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Job Description – Senior Research Technician in Plant Tissue Culture and Genetics
Job Number: 25001700
Department: Biosciences
Employment Type: Fixed Term – Full Time
Contract Duration: 48 Months
Working Arrangements: TBC
Closing Date
08-Jan-2026, 11:59:00 PM
The University
Durham University is proud of its people, its globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, and its unique historic setting. Across the University we offer a wide range of roles and career opportunities, making it a key hub of activity nationally and regionally. Whether you are at the start, middle, or end of your career, there is a role for you. For more information about the University, please visit our website.
The Role and the Department
The Department of Biosciences consists of 68 academic staff and research fellows; around 50 research and technical support staff; over 90 research postgraduate students and over 500 undergraduate students. We offer a 3‑year BSc in Biological Sciences and a 4‑year MBiol, and run a PGT in Plant Biotechnology, with further programmes planned. Our research infrastructure includes advanced bioimaging, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, high‑performance computing, and field research. The Department is ranked in the top 5 UK Biology Departments and has a 100% internationally recognised research environment (REF2021). Research focuses on Molecular Plant Sciences, Biomolecular Interactions, Ecology, Evolution and Environment, and Animal Cells and Systems. The Department encourages multidisciplinary research and is committed to the Athena SWAN Silver award in gender equality.
A Senior Research Technician position has arisen in the research group of Dr Peter Etchells. The role focuses on supporting tissue culture and plant husbandry as part of a UKRI funded project on wood formation in hybrid poplar trees.
Working at Durham
* 27 days annual leave per year, plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days – total of 39 days.
* A generous pension scheme with automatic enrolment into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
* Extensive travel support: parking, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounts with local bus and train companies, and the Tusker Car Benefit Scheme for electric or hybrid vehicles.
* Professional development support: comprehensive training, apprenticeships, and dedicated annual time for career development.
* Health and wellbeing programmes: discounted gym membership, 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme.
* A state‑of‑the‑art on‑site nursery (Outstanding by Ofsted) and holiday camps for children aged 5‑16.
* Generous maternity and adoption leave.
* Opportunities for volunteering in the local community.
* Exclusive discounts on supermarket shopping, retail, IT, and leisure activities.
* Salary sacrifice schemes for tax savings on benefits.
* Relocation support for moving to Durham, including help with removal costs, housing, schools and visa costs.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We actively work to create a supportive and inclusive environment, reflecting the diversity of the global community. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, women, and BAME communities, and we aim to reflect this diversity in our workforce.
Person Specification – What you need to demonstrate
Qualifications & Experience
1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics, or a Post‑16 qualification or equivalent experience.
2. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.
3. Experience of working in a team.
4. Experience or ability to provide advice and guidance to postgraduate students and colleagues.
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
6. Experience leading teaching/ research projects in an educational, commercial or industrial environment.
7. Extensive experience of relationship building and turning opportunities into long‑term collaboration.
8. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring activities to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.
9. BSc or equivalent qualification in biosciences.
10. Experience in plant tissue culture, transformation, and plant husbandry.
11. Experience in plant biology research.
12. Experience in histology.
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
1. Good spoken and written communication skills and ability to develop effective working relationships.
2. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and applications, including Microsoft 365.
3. Commitment to continuing professional development.
4. Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and compliance experience.
5. Problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
6. Professional knowledge and expertise in one or more technical specialisms and ability to create, build and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.
7. Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision technical skills and operate standard and complex scientific, technical and creative equipment.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria in the person specification. If desired, additional evidence for desirable criteria can also be provided. We will inform you about your application at various stages via automated e‑mail. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically.
Required Documents
* CV
* Covering letter or statement showing how you meet all criteria within the person specification.
If you would like to ask any questions about the role, please email Peter Etchells or Agnieska Gladala‑Kostarz.
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery
* Show commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and university values.
* Ensure university procedures and values are reflected in all service aspects.
* Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems in plant tissue culture, transformation, and husbandry, with support as needed.
* Share technical knowledge and expertise to support other team members.
* Investigate and resolve issues such as determining plant genotypes using PCR and make recommendations based on findings.
* Provide best possible service to staff, students and others, reviewing and suggesting improvements.
* Collect, organise and record data accurately to provide reports.
* Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities and systems for safety, security and compliance.
* Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents requiring specialist expertise.
Planning and Organising
* Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role.
* Deliver assigned projects in accordance with agreed objectives, ensuring high level of accuracy, complexity and excellence.
* Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in project delivery.
* Seek feedback from project staff, students and collaborators to keep tasks updated to meet deliverables.
* Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Research Laboratory Support
* Commission, construct and set up test and experimental procedures.
* Test and calibrate equipment and instrumentation.
* Be an expert in the use of a range of equipment for molecular biology, plant growth and tissue culture.
* Provide high‑level technical guidance and advice to solve problems and shape teaching, learning and research outcomes.
* Arrange maintenance of technical and experimental facilities.
* Set up, demonstrate, instruct and supervise the use of specialist pieces of equipment.
* Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.
* Develop and improve services by participating in meetings, working groups and committees.
* Explain and demonstrate how to carry out tasks and use a range of equipment and digital services.
* Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks, to increase knowledge and skills.
Useful Links
* Benefits and rewards package: https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/our-rewards/
* University Privacy Statement: https://www.durham.ac.uk/policies/privacy/
Durham University will ensure the applicant meets any applicable immigration requirements and salary threshold requirements for relevant visas.
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