Phage Research Technician

Thank you for your interest in this vacancy! We highly recommend reading our Tips on how to apply page to give you an insight on how applications are scored & shortlisted by our Recruiting Managers. These tips have been provided to give you a better chance of being shortlisted for our vacancies. Please note that if you apply for a position with North Bristol NHS Trust, you may be contacted via TRAC or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your TRAC Account and email accounts including junk and spam folders. Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview

The microbiology research team at North Bristol NHS Trust are looking to recruit enthusiastic and motivated full time Research Technicians to work within the phage project team at the antibiotic research laboratory conducting contract-based research. The ideal candidates will be reliable, honest, organised, flexible with working hours, have the ability to get to work when participating on the out of hours rota and keen to learn and be able to follow instructions and procedures. They must be able to work effectively as part of a small team, as well as being able to work independently. Excellent communication skills and data entry skills are required and the candidate must have good manual dexterity. The post holder will need to have met the requirements as listed in the person specification. North Bristol NHS Trust recognises the need to invest in our research staff and is dedicated to their training and development.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for enthusiastic and reliable Research Technicians to join an existing, highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team. The successful applicants will be based in the pKpD Laboratory at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, which is recognised as a centre of excellence for both R&D and specialist service provision in the area of antimicrobial research. The post-holders will work primarily on running phage assays under the supervision of the lead research scientist. The successful applicants are likely to have a science background and preferably experience of working in a laboratory.

Working for our organisation

• Daily regular movement between geographically separate sections of the laboratory required, transporting equipment, consumables and samples
• Manual handling including lifting heavy objects and waste bags on a regular (daily) basis
• Daily requirement to wear personal protective equipment e.g. gloves, goggles, etc. as supplied.
• Daily exposure to pathogenic bacteria and bacteriophages
• Occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals and UV light, blood and other body fluids/tissues including potential
• Regular use of equipment that can expose the worker to very low temperatures -80C freezers
• Daily requirement to concentrate for long periods at technically demanding procedure.
• Frequent extended periods of VDU usage required for data analysis and input
• Performance of repetitive tasks required
• The post-holder will be required to work alone and /or out of hours on a regular basis

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• To work as part of team, supporting senior scientists participating in the provision of high quality pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (pK/pD) analytical services, as provided through the (pK/pD) laboratory primarily for PHASE K - JPIAMR, but may include other research projects.
• To participate in the day-to-day performance of antimicrobial research including routine and specialist microbiology susceptibility tests
• Plaque assays, Phage culture, Phage maintenance, Standard MIC studies, Phage MIC techniques, Synergy testing, Phage synergy antibiotic combination assays, Time kill evaluations, immuno and liquid chromatographic assays, including the operation and maintenance of in vitro pK/pD models and HPLC systems after training.
• The specific duties carried out will depend on the allocated area of work.
• The post holder will be required to work alone and to participate in regular out of hours working (evenings, nights and weekends).

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

• Essential criteria
• NVQ level 3 or A Levels in science or related subject
• 6 months experience in a pKpD laboratory

Work Experience

• Essential criteria
• Practical laboratory experience in microbiology
• Practical experience of susceptibility testing and bacterial identification
• Desirable criteria
• Awareness of practices/procedures relating to GCP/GCLP/GLP standards
• Experience in phage biology

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Essential criteria
• Able to work accurately with minimal supervision
• Good communication skills both verbal, written and telephone
• Data entry skills
• Manual dexterity skills
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• Desirable criteria
• Good interpersonal skills, approachable and honest

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

• Essential criteria
• Effective team worker with a flexible approach to working hours
• Willingness to learn new techniques
• Ability to show initiative
• Good manual dexterity

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance. If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151. North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments. At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people. Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.