Main Purpose of the Job

This role is to provide support, experimental design help, maintenance and training in Flow Cytometry and Histology as part of the Core Facility Services Team at the Quadram Institute Bioscience.

The role will also help promote the facility and services both within the institute and externally. They will need to remain informed about new advances in sample preparation and flow cytometry so as to inform the scientific equipment procurement and research goals of the institute.

Key Relationships

The candidate will work as part of the Core Facilities Team particularly the Advanced Microscopy Facility and the Flow Cytometry Facility. They will also have to work closely with group leaders, scientists and research students.
In this role they will answer to the Facility Manager and work closely with the Laboratory Operations Manager. They will also need to work closely with the academic advisors for flow cytometry and histology.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Training and research support to users of the histology services at the Quadram Institute, external collaborators and QIB-Extra partners.

20

Development of techniques and protocols in flow cytometry and histology for researchers at the Quadram Institute in furtherance of the aims of the Institute Strategic Programs.
 

20

Flow cytometry and histology service provision.

20

Training and research support to flow cytometry users at the Quadram Institute, external collaborators and QIB-Extra partners.
 

20

Maintenance and calibration of histology equipment at the Quadram Institute.
 

10

Maintenance and calibration of the flow cytometers at the Quadram Institute.
 

10

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

MSc in a biological field.

Essential

PhD in a biological field.

Desirable

Post-Graduate qualifications in histology, microscopy and/or cytology.

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Flow cytometry experimental design, operation and analysis.

Essential

Histological sample preparation including preservation, microtomy, and basic microscopic analysis.

Essential

Cryotomy skills

Desirable

High content slide scanning.

Desirable

Spectral flow cytometry experimental design, operation and analysis.

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experimental experience in flow cytometry.

Essential

Experience in histological techniques and sample preparation.

Essential

Experience with training a wide range of skill levels.

Essential

Experience with biological samples.

Essential

Experience contributing to research publications.

Desirable

Experience working in a core facility.

Desirable

Experience working in a pathology service for routine sample preparation.

Desirable

Experience working in a medical cytology laboratory.

Desirable

Experience handling human samples.

Desirable

Experimental experience in spectral flow cytometry including sorting.

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good interpersonal skills and able to work cohesively as part of a team.

Essential

Able to work alone for long periods of time.

Essential

The ability to write clear and concise instructions.

Essential

The ability to provide quality training to a diverse range of skillsets and abilities.

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Ability to make on-demand instructional content for the users.

Desirable

Comfortable with public speaking.

Desirable

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Quadram Institute ensuring it is a great place to work.

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute.

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Quadram Institute Bioscience

The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health.

We are engaged in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, working together to become a leading international hub for food and health research, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise, delivering impacts on patient care and accelerating innovation.

The Quadram Institute is a diverse and multicultural scientific community. We thrive on our international and European links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

For more information about working at Quadram Institute Bioscience, please click here.

Department

Core Capability

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Flow Cytometry and Histology Research Support Scientist

Applications are invited for a Flow Cytometry and Histology Research Support Scientist to join the Core Facility Services Team at the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.

The role:

This role is to provide support, experimental design help, maintenance and training in Flow Cytometry and Histology as part of the Core Facility Services Team. The post holder will help promote the facility and services both within the institute and externally. They will need to remain informed about new advances in sample preparation and flow cytometry so as to inform the scientific equipment procurement and research goals of the institute.

Experience in spectral flow cytometry and cryotomy is highly desired. Applicants should have a strong desire to help researchers with their experimental goals and ensure a scientific rigour. The research of the Quadram Institute is highly varied so applicants should be able to assist researchers in adapting and developing methods and protocols to achieve their desired scientific outcomes.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate should have a MSc in a biological field or equivalent. It would be advantageous if candidates also held post-graduate qualifications in histology, microscopy and/or cytology, or a PhD in a biological field or equivalent.

They will need knowledge of flow cytometry experimental design, operation and analysis, as well as skills in histological sample preparation including preservation, microtomy, and basic microscopic analysis.

Candidates should have experience in flow cytometry, handling biological samples and histological techniques and sample preparation. Experience working in a core facility, medical cytology laboratory, or handling human samples would be advantageous to the role, but it is not essential.

Applicants should be able to work closely with a tight knit team, but also able to work independently and often alone. The core facility is committed to training and teaching, so the ideal applicant should have a desire to train others, both individually and in workshops and seminars. They should also have a strong desire to stay informed on the current state of the field and committed to maintaining the Quadram Institute at the forefront of any technological developments. 

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,000 to £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of 36 months.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society.  The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects all employees to share and display these values.  To support our commitment, we have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence in their area of work.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

About the Quadram Institute:

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state-of-the-art building on the Norwich Research Park. This is one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute. (https://quadram.ac.uk/).

The closing date for applications will be 16 December 2024

The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.