Role Title: Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician
Grade and Salary: Grade 5, £26,707 - £31,236 per annum
FTE and Working Pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week); Fixed-term (35 months)
Reward and Benefits: 28 days annual leave plus 9 bank holidays (including Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot‑Watt University.
About Our Team
The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) aims to accelerate the commercialisation of the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland, the UK and worldwide. IBioIC’s Bioprocessing Scale‑Up Centre (FlexBio) based at Heriot Watt University supports industry and academia, allowing them to execute scale‑up studies using state‑of‑the‑art fermentation and downstream processing equipment.
Hosted within the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3), FlexBio provides clients with access to expertise and equipment to carry out semi‑pilot scale fermentation and downstream processing. This primarily encompasses microbial culture at scales up to 300 litres, along with a variety of downstream processing techniques for cell and molecule separation. These methods are used in the production of bio‑based products for various industrial biotechnology market segments, and include whole cells, as well as enzyme, peptide, and small‑molecule‑derived products.
Many of our industry clients work within exciting areas of biotechnology such as marine, agriceuticals, biomass, carbon capture, biomaterials and food, all helping to deliver the national biotechnology plan and working towards ‘net‑zero’. Learn more about what we do: https://www.ibioic.com/bioprocessing-scale-up-centres.
Purpose of Role
FlexBIO is seeking a motivated and skilled Lab Technician to join our dynamic team specialising in fermentation and cell culture scale‑up and downstream processing. The facility features advanced bioreactors and fermenters ranging from 2 L to 300 L, alongside complementary downstream processing equipment, to support innovative bioprocessing solutions development for external clients and academics.
This role is essential to maintaining a high standard of laboratory operation and efficiency. The Lab Technician will support daily technical tasks, from preparing and maintaining equipment to performing routine cleaning and maintenance, inventory control and purchasing of consumables, and assisting in training and facility records upkeep. The position requires a proactive and competent individual with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well with all team members across various functions.
The role holder will be line‑managed by the Upstream Bioprocessing Manager.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Support
* Assist in the setup, calibration, operation and monitoring of bioreactors, fermenters and associated downstream processing equipment.
* Support the team with project operations and troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with senior scientists.
* Aid in the preparation and sterile handling of cultures and media for fermentation and cell culture processes.
* Aid in the preparation of buffers and reagents for downstream processes and upstream sample analysis.
* Perform routine cleaning operations on equipment and ensure compliance with local health and safety procedures.
Maintenance & Cleaning
* Coordinate overall scheduling of equipment maintenance, including requesting RAMS, liaising with building management and service engineers, collating and recording service reports, actioning follow‑up orders.
* Maintain schedules for cleaning and maintenance of the scale‑up facility and its equipment.
* Perform regular cleaning, sanitation and routine maintenance of laboratory and bioprocessing equipment to ensure operational readiness.
* Monitor and track equipment performance and report issues promptly to maintain process continuity.
* Follow strict cleaning protocols to ensure contamination control.
Inventory & Procurement
* Maintain inventory of lab supplies and consumables; assist in purchasing materials to ensure the facility is stocked appropriately with both routine and client consumables.
* Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for timely and cost‑effective ordering and delivery.
* Use organisational procurement software to place orders.
* Record purchasing and receipt in a timely and accurate manner.
* Assist in maintaining client and project consumable inventory and usage records.
Documentation & Compliance
* Record all relevant data and maintain accurate lab documentation following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and relevant SOPs.
* Adhere to Process COSHH and risk assessment documentation, biological safety procedures and protocols, and maintain a clean, organised, and compliant work environment.
* Flag hazards as appropriate, especially near‑miss and accidents.
Training & Collaboration
* Provide training to a high standard for newly on‑boarded colleagues and ensure operational continuity.
* Participate in training and support team members in equipment operation and laboratory procedures.
* Assist with setup for training courses, including printing documentation, room organisation and catering.
* Work collaboratively across departments with the university and IBioIC, ensuring effective communication and efficient workflow within the lab.
* Attend weekly team meetings and update orally and in writing as matters arise and as requested by the line manager.
Person Specification
These are the criteria on which the short‑listing and recruitment selection will be made.
Essential
1. At least an HND and/or Bachelors qualification in a related subject such as biology, biotechnology or biochemistry or similar, equivalent to SCQF level 8 or higher. This role is not suitable for PhD qualification or equivalent experience.
2. Previous experience performing technical support work in a bioprocessing environment, to support cell culture or fermentation bioreactors.
3. Experience making up large volumes of complex buffer/media (> 10 litres).
4. Experience of using and maintaining routine laboratory equipment – e.g., balances, pH meter, spectrophotometer, biosafety cabinet, autoclave etc.
5. Experience conducting routine cleaning of a laboratory workplace – e.g., daily, weekly cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
6. Evidence of excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with a friendly, collaborative approach to working within a team.
Desirable
1. Experience of taking and processing samples – e.g. taking samples, analysis and timely reporting of results.
2. Experience with routine internal audits – e.g. GLP/inventory.
3. Experience of performing calibrations on bioprocessing equipment.
4. Experience with bioreactors (50 L–300 L) and/or downstream processing equipment – e.g. performing routine cleaning on larger‑scale lab/pilot‑scale equipment.
5. Experience of inventory management and procurement processes.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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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