- Job Title
- Laboratory Support Technician
- Post Number
- 1006059
- Closing Date
- 31 Mar 2026
- Grade
- SC8
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £24,250 - £26,500
- Hours per week
- 37
- Months Duration
- Indefinite
- Flexible Options
- Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed.
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
Applications are invited for a Laboratory Support Technician to join the Science Operations Department at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.
The post holders will provide a high standard of technical support to academic and research staff at QIB.
The post holders will follow standard operating procedures and good laboratory practice to support work in our busy and diverse research laboratories. Tasks involve general housekeeping, disposal of hazardous waste, media preparation, glassware maintenance, stock management, checking packages are safe for transport and providing other support services to the institute's researchers and students. They will further contribute to health and safety compliance, monitoring safety equipment and ensuring adherence to laboratory safety protocols and regulations.
The post holders will be expected to work during standard laboratory opening hours but the role could require occasional out of hours/weekend work.
Key Relationships
The team support all laboratory areas and work closely with laboratory scientists, lab managers, the Health and Safety team and facilities staff.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- Preparation of media and buffers
- 25
- Operation of autoclaves and organising waste disposal for science areas
- 20
- Glassware management (collection, cleaning, return to stock, replacement)
- 15
- Stock checks and ordering of general laboratory consumables to maintain adequate stock levels
- 10
- Routine operation, maintenance, calibration of and record keeping for standard laboratory equipment
- 10
- Monitoring and maintenance of gas cylinder and liquid nitrogen supplies
- 5
- Ensuring laboratory is kept in good order and work adheres to health and safety regulations
- 5
- Checking parcels are safe for dispatch
- 5
- Assistance with manual handling, cleaning, and other tasks in support of the Laboratory Managers
- 5
- As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- GCSEs grades A*-C in Mathematics, English and Science or equivalent qualifications
- Essential
- Three A Levels grades A-E, or equivalent qualification
- Essential
- HNC, degree or equivalent in a relevant subject
- Desirable
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Proficiency in basic laboratory techniques and equipment use and maintenance
- Essential
- Familiarity with laboratory safety and sterilisation procedures
- Essential
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Customer service experience
- Essential
- Previous experience with quality control processes and reporting
- Desirable
- Experience of training others in routine processes
- Desirable
- Previous experience in preparing specialist materials and solutions, such as media and buffers
- Desirable
- Previous experience with stock control and ordering
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Excellent prioritisation and time management skills
- Essential
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal
- Essential
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team
- Essential
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- Attention to detail
- Essential
- Promotes equality and values diversity
- Essential
- Ability to move large/heavy items (e.g. loaded trolleys), stand for prolonged periods and perform repetitive tasks (Reasonable adjustments will be considered in the case of applicants with a disability)
- Essential
- Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
- 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
- Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work
- Essential
Who We Are
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
Science Operations
Group Details
The technical support team are part of QIB Science Operations, which helps enable scientific research project work.
Living in Norfolk
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Laboratory Support Technician
Applications are invited for a Laboratory Support Technician to join the Science Operations Department at Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The technical support team are part of QIB Science Operations, which helps enable scientific research project work.
The role:
The post holder will provide a high standard of technical support to academic and research staff at QIB.
They will follow standard operating procedures and good laboratory practice to support work in our busy and diverse research laboratories. Tasks involve general housekeeping, disposal of hazardous waste, media preparation, glassware maintenance, stock management, checking packages are safe for transport and providing other support services to the institute's researchers and students. They will further contribute to health and safety compliance, monitoring safety equipment and ensuring adherence to laboratory safety protocols and regulations.
The post holder will be expected to work during standard laboratory opening hours but the role could require occasional out of hours/weekend work.
Please note that this is a support role, the post holder will not be able to conduct their own research.
The ideal candidate:
It is essential that candidates have at least 3 A-levels Grades A-E, or an equivalent qualification. They must also possess GCSEs, or equivalent, in Maths, English and Science.
The ideal candidate will be organised, show attention to detail and be able to work independently but with excellent team working and communication skills and a strong customer service mindset. Experience of working in a laboratory environment is essential.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £24,250 to £26,500 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post offered on an indefinite basis but suitable candidates seeking part-time (3-4 days/week) employment will be considered.
This role does not meet the full salary requirements set by UKVI to allow for visa sponsorship. However, some individuals may still be eligible for visa sponsorship, depending on their personal circumstances. If you require visa sponsorship, please click here to find out if you qualify before applying. Please note, the occupation code for this role is 3111, which is on the immigration salary list.
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 an 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. Norwich Research Park 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 31st March 2026.
The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.