The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on ourWhy Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and the Department The purpose of this role is to generate genomic data that will enable research into the evolution of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in Britain over the last five millennia in response to human behaviour and dramatic demographic changes, such as those caused by the Black Death. The MTBC comprises many lineages that cause TB in human and animal hosts, but only a handful of lineages are responsible for the high mortality and incidence observed globally today. Can the origin of these more "successful" lineages be traced to Britain, and did heightened periods of social inequality accelerate their adaptive evolution? The successful candidate will join the Wellcome Trust funded project, Exploring the contribution of social inequality to the evolution of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex across five millennia (https://wellcome.org/research-funding/funding-portfolio/funded-grants/exploring-contribution-social-inequality-evolution ). To help answer the project's questions, they will perform all necessary lab work to prepare samples for Next Generation Sequencing, including DNA extraction, DNA quantification, DNA library preparation and indexing, library amplification and cleanup, and library quality control and pooling using Qubit, Tape Station, and qPCR technologies from hundreds of archaeological skeletal remains. They will also be responsible for performing in-solution hybridisation capture on promising libraries. Additionally, they will be responsible for preparing all the necessary buffers, solutions, and dilutions from stocks and performing routine operational checks and UV-sterilization of the restricted-access ancient DNA clean rooms. The successful candidate will maintain a detailed database of samples and a laboratory notebook. They will also contribute to our diverse and friendly lab culture by acting as a respectful lab member, training MSc and PhD students when appropriate, and attending and presenting in biweekly lab meetings. We are pleased to be able to offer the successful candidate designated funding over the two years for professional development, such as online or in-person courses, technical training, and/or conference attendance. The successful candidate will be expected to work primarily in-person to perform laboratory work in Durham University's Department of Archaeology. The Department of Archaeology is one of the UK's top Archaeology departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and the employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. 2nd in Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 1st in the Times Good University Guide 2024, 3rd in Complete University Guide 2024) and one of the top ten globally (5th in World University QS rankings 2024). Our expertise covers a broad chronological and geographical span, from the Palaeolithic to the present-day, and from Europe via North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia to China. We are home to a series of cutting-edge laboratories, including facilities for DNA, isotopic and luminescence research, as well as field- and lab-based commercial operations. For further information on our current projects, research and teaching see https://www.dur.ac.uk/departments/academic/archaeology/ Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. We offer generous pension schemes. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. A bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Genetics, Archaeological Science, or a related discipline OR industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by course completion or certification. 2. Experience working independently 3. Experience working in an experimental laboratory with liquids, chemicals, and/or biological matter* 4. Experience modifying and applying published laboratory protocols to their/their lab's research* 5. Experience of working in a team. 6. Experience or ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues. 7. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring own activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 8. Ability to organize and plan laboratory work and keep a detailed laboratory notebook 9. Ability to use your laboratory notebook to troubleshoot problems of unexpected sample behaviour, low sample yield, contamination, and reaction inefficiencies and plan and test appropriate solutions* 10. Knowledge of basic lab calculations required for genomics work, such as how to calculate molarity, adjust the concentration of a solution, and make working dilutions* 11. Good spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally 12. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications 13. Committed to continuing professional development 14. Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision technical skills and the operation of standard and complex scientific and technical equipment Desirable Criteria 15. A master's degree in Biological Sciences, Genetics, Archaeological Science, or a related discipline 16. Experience working with ancient DNA 17. Experience extracting DNA from various substrates, performing PCRs, and quantifying DNA 18. Experience working with human skeletal remains 19. Experience with pathogen genetics/genomics 20. Ability to manipulate and plot data and draw inferences from plotted data How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails What you are required to submit: A CV A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification An experimental laboratory protocol you have modified or created that scales volumes with the number of samples being processed OR the lab protocol you would create to perform ancient DNA extraction using the method outlined in this publication: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3785785/s7. Please limit your submission to a 1-page pdf. Contact details If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Dr. Kelly Blevins would be happy to speak to you via email at kelly.blevins@durham.ac.uk Interviews are expected to take place in September 2025, with the successful candidate starting in the new year. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. Ensure that the University's procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident. Provide specialist advice and make decisions to conduct DNA extraction and all necessary protocols for Next Generation Sequencing and in-solution hybridisation capture. This could include adapting current lab protocols to accommodate difficult samples, adopting and optimising new protocols, and performing and evaluating various quality control measures. Share technical knowledge and expertise to support other team members. Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as designing an efficient workflow for large numbers of samples, monitoring sample behaviour to identify failed reactions, and make recommendations based on your findings. Provide the best possible service to [staff, students and others who you work with] by reviewing and make suggestions to improve the service. Collect, organise and record data and information accurately to provide reports to funders. Manage, maintain and monitor designated [equipment, facilities, and systems] to ensure safety, security and compliance. Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise. Planning and Organising Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role. Deliver assigned projects in accordance with agreed objectives ensuring a high level of accuracy, complexity, originality and excellence. Supervise the work of postgraduate or undergraduate students related to the project, as necessary. Seek feedback from staff to ensure that the service is scientifically rigorous and meets project expectations. Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Communication/Liaison Develop and improve services by taking part in lab meetings, working groups and committees. Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks and use a range of laboratory equipment. Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks that allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers. Build relationships with local and international collaborators to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives. • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. SECONDMENT The post is full time, fixed term for a two year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.