Job Description

Position Details

Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 27,166 to 28,768, with potential progression once in post to 32,145


Grade: 4


Part Time (7 hours per week)


Fixed Term contract up to May 2026


Closing date: 8th July 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.


The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.


We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.


We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.


Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.


The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.


Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Background

The job will support a research project investigating the potential of a 5-HT4 receptor agonist, prucalopride, to improve cognitive performance. Part of this investigation is to determine if there is a biomarker in the blood that responds to the drug predicting a beneficial effect upon cognitive function. The successful candidate will process blood samples isolating white blood cells (by differential centrifugation) to then be frozen in such a way as to allow their subsequent functional activity to be restored upon thawing. Samples of isolated plasma and serum will also be collected and frozen. All samples will be stored in compliance with appropriate regulations and full training will be provided. All work will be performed in the Barnes Labs in the Robert Aitken Building (School of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health).

Role Summary

You will provide technical support for research activities as required, utilising your technical skills and a wide range of techniques. You will also be expected to ensure your working area is safe and support others in following health and safety instructions. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate research activity. In order to flexibly use resource you may be given the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider University.

Main Duties

Research duties

The successful applicant will undertake laboratory work which involves taking receipt of whole human blood, prepare (by centrifugation) plasma and PBMC preparations. Store the plasma and send PBMC prep for storage at HBRC.


Carry out techniques and experimental procedures as required by research staff, students and Principal Investigators, designed to contribute to a specific research project or projects. You will be expected to resolve problems in your area of expertise but also to recognise when problems need to be referred to more senior staff. You will need to maintain accurate records of all techniques and experimental procedures carried out, and of any other research activities you may be involved in, including results. Comply with any legislation relevant to the area of research/activity. Comply with the Standard Operating Procedures for the activity. Demonstrate techniques to other staff and/or students on the area of expertise as required. You will contribute to internal and external audit procedures and to regulatory inspections.

Health and Safety

You will be expected to uphold compliance with all University and local Health & Safety policies, including risk assessments and manual handling, reporting any breaches or non-compliance to the relevant manager. You will be expected to manage the safe handling and disposal of all materials used in research laboratories, including hazardous materials. If required, assist or prepare risk assessments and keep these up to date. You will need to maintain all records as appropriate. Carry out regular maintenance processes as appropriate.

Administrative duties

You may be required to assist with PAT testing and calibration of equipment, and with updating equipment inventories. Maintain stocks of consumables and, if necessary, creating purchase order requisitions. Receipt and correct storage of consumables and chemical reagents. Ensure that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems. Reporting any problems with equipment or services which cannot be resolved to the line manager as appropriate. Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures where practicable. Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

NVQ, BTEC/ONC at level three or equivalent level three qualification and specific relevant experience in an appropriate subject. GCSE level 2 (A- C/4-9) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English.
Practical experience of receipt of whole human blood, prepare (by centrifugation) plasma and PBMC preparations. Store the plasma and send PBMC prep for storage at HBRC and a working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice. Experience of working in a laboratory-based teaching or research environment; or be able to demonstrate the capability to participate in research projects. Ability to organise and manage own workload after consultation with manager. Familiarity with the use of a wide range of general laboratory equipment e.g. balances, pH meters, autoclaves, glass washing machines, microscopes. Proactive approach to Health and Safety matters, together with the communication skills to interact with a range of people, including students. Ability to be flexible to meet deadlines. The post holder will be fully familiar with the safe handling and storage of laboratory materials. Good IT skills, having a familiarity with both Windows and/or Apple Macintosh OS will be advantageous. Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace. Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

Dimensions

You will have no direct line management responsibility (other than occasional instructions to other staff) and no budget to manage.

Planning and Organising

You will be able to schedule and organise your own work within the priorities and requirements for the area.

Problem Solving and decision making

You will deliver a level of service as agreed, carrying out daily research support as required. You will be expected to assist in analysis and interpretation of research results.

Internal and External relationships

This role is primarily concerned with advising and supporting research staff.



Further particulars can be found here


Informal enquiries to Prof Nicholas Barnes, email: n.m.barnes@bham.ac.uk


View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

.