Description
Grade and Salary: Grade 5 (£26,707 - £30,378 pro rata for part time)
FTE and working pattern: Part time (0.6FTE - 21 hours per week), Fixed term contract for 5 months.
Job Purpose
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Technician to support an industrial research project, in collaboration with Take Root Bio Ltd. The role will involve laboratory-based experimental work, data analysis, and literature review to support the development of innovative fermentation and distillation processes for industrial applications.
This position is a part-time, fixed-term contract (3 days a week, for 5 months) and may involve working in collaboration with industry partners.
Key Responsibilities
* Conduct fermentation and distillation experiments at lab scale, including preparation of media, inoculation, monitoring, and sampling.
* Perform microbiological and analytical techniques (e.g. sample preparation, spectrophotometry, alcohol meters).
* Collect, analyse, and document experimental data with accuracy and scientific integrity.
* Assist in the design and optimisation of fermentation conditions and process parameters.
* Contribute to lab safety, cleanliness, and compliance with health and safety procedures.
* Participate in regular project meetings and contribute to reporting and presentation of research findings.
* Perform literature reviews to support experimental design and data interpretation.
Essential
* A BSc or equivalent in microbiology, biotechnology, biochemical engineering, or a related life science discipline.
* Practical experience with microbial culture techniques and aseptic handling.
* Knowledge of fermentation and distillation principles
* Good laboratory skills and attention to detail.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Strong organisational, time-management, and record-keeping skills.
Desirable
* Experience with process optimisation tools such as Design Of Experiments (DOE)
* Experience working on a research project involving industry partners.
How To Apply
Applications with FULL CV (and Cover letter) can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Monday, 25th August 2025. Any queries should be sent by email to Assistant Professor Zhuang (S.Zhuang@hw.ac.uk).
Shortlisting is anticipated w/c 25th August 2025 and interviews are anticipated to be conducted w/c 8thSeptember 2025.
At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
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