Senior Technician, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS/KEW GARDENS

About the role

The Research Platforms team, within the Research Infrastructure Section of Kew Science, provides researchers with access to specialised and often high-cost equipment platforms and centralised in vitro biology platforms. The team is seeking a highly organised and technically competent Senior Technician to support across various platforms.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the smooth running of the facilities with other Senior Technicians and Technical Managers, overseen by a Technical Operations Manager.
• Provide support ranging from general laboratory housekeeping to training and maintenance on specialised scientific equipment.
• Enhance support within the Imaging platforms (light and electron microscopy; flow cytometry) and In Vitro Biology platforms (particularly the culture of plants and fungi).
• Assist other laboratory staff in Core Facilities team supporting research pipelines in general science, seed biology (including Kew’s seed bank), and molecular biology (DNA sequencing).

Requirements

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification (e.g. A levels) or equivalent, plus work experience in a relevant technical role OR considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific roles.
• Highly organised to deal with multiple requests from different researchers, with skills for accurate record keeping and maintaining a clean, tidy, and efficient laboratory.
• Pride in providing a high standard of technical service.
• A working knowledge of regulations (e.g. COSHH) and best practices in laboratories, essential.
• Prior knowledge of relevant scientific equipment and techniques advantageous, but ability to apply learnt techniques in new areas following training.
• Interpersonal and influencing skills to maintain compliance among laboratory users and clarity in spoken and written communication for training staff and students.
• Ability to lift and/or move tasks such as deliveries, equipment, gas cylinders, and liquid nitrogen tanks.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a level 3 qualification (e.g. A levels) or equivalent, plus work experience in a relevant technical role OR considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific roles.

Skills

• Highly organised to handle multiple requests from different researchers.
• Accurate record keeping and maintaining a clean, tidy, and efficient laboratory.
• Pride in providing a high standard of technical service.
• A working knowledge of regulations (e.g. COSHH) and best practices in laboratories.
• Prior knowledge of relevant scientific equipment and techniques advantageous, but ability to apply learnt techniques in new areas following training.
• Interpersonal and influencing skills to maintain compliance among laboratory users.
• Clarity in spoken and written communication for training staff and students.
• Ability to lift and/or move tasks such as deliveries, equipment, gas cylinders, and liquid nitrogen tanks.

Benefits

• Opportunities for continuous learning.
• A generous annual leave entitlement.
• Flexible working to help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• An Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership.
• A competitive pension.
• An employee discount scheme.
• Free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries.
• Access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

Pay

£34,216 per annum [Band C]

Schedule

Full time