Job Description

Job Title:

Technical Manager: Research Support

Posting Start Date:

27/10/2025

Job Id:

1787

School/Department:

Biosciences

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary per annum ():

38,784 - 47,389

Closing Date:

23/11/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and organised Technical Manager to support the day-to-day running and research activities of Professor Katie Field's busy, collaborative research group. Our lab investigates the interactions between plants, fungi, and soils, with a focus on the vital partnerships that shape ecosystems and agriculture. These include the well-known mycorrhizal associations between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, as well as newly discovered relationships with other groups of soil fungi that challenge current scientific understanding. As the Technical Manager, you will play a key part in a Royal Society funded research project to investigate the function, regulation and ecology of diverse mycorrhizal fungi and the networks they form.



The Technical Manager will play a central role in ensuring smooth laboratory operations, maintaining facilities and resources, supporting researchers and students, and helping to deliver high-quality, impactful science. The role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to research that explores biodiversity from the molecular to the landscape scale, with applications ranging from improving ecosystem health to advancing sustainable agriculture.


This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop new skills and gain experience in plant-soil interactions while contributing to cutting-edge, collaborative research. This is an open-ended post, subject to 10 years' fixed term funding.



Applicants must have an MSc (or higher) level in Biosciences subject (or equivalent significant experience) along with IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent safety qualification). Experience in a range of laboratory techniques relevant to plant-soil interactions, including soil nutrient analyses, stable and radioactive isotopes, plant and fungal culture (axenic and non-sterile), use of controlled environments for plant growth, molecular biology is also essential. In addition, applicants must be organised, reliable, and comfortable working with standard research protocols. Clear communication and accurate record-keeping will be among your strengths, and you'll enjoy working both independently and as part of a team. Experience in laboratory management, safety compliance, and stock control is essential. Importantly, you'll bring enthusiasm for research and a willingness to learn new skills and techniques.



We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Main duties and responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day running of the research laboratory, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc., ensuring a safe, efficient, and inclusive working environment. Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental and data protection regulations, and awareness of changes to existing and new regulatory and compliance frameworks, international standards, codes of practice and protocols that affect the area of work. Oversee technical maintenance of laboratory equipment and undertake routine maintenance tasks. Assist with maintenance of lab databases, including CoSHH, stocks etc. Work alongside the PI, taking a lead role in the preparation of supporting documents, such as posters, papers, reports, and grant applications as required. Communicate research strategy and deliver against project objectives, translating goals into deliverable actions for the team, and monitoring outcomes Deliver technical training to students, colleagues and collaborators in the use of materials/equipment/tools and processes, tailoring approach to meet the needs of the audience Contribute to project planning, ensuring effective use of time and resources to meet research and organisational goals. Monitor progress against project objectives, providing feedback and support to team members. Collect, and organise experimental data, supporting decision-making and project delivery. Lead and support the development of sustainable laboratory practices to minimise waste and environmental impact. Apply critical thinking, methodology and collaborative approaches to problem solving. Help build and sustain a positive and inclusive research culture, supporting equality, diversity, and wellbeing within the lab. Attend and actively participate in project meetings and research group meetings. Take responsibility for self-development and on the job learning; keeping abreast of developments in techniques and technology. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

MSc (or higher) level in Biosciences subject, or equivalent significant experience

Essential


Application / Interview


IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent safety qualification)

Essential


Application / Interview


Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, and the ability to explain complex concepts and technical details to students, colleagues and stakeholders


Essential


Application / Interview


Expert user of relevant IT applications including experience in data management and analysis


Essential


Application / Interview


Understanding and experience of resource and project management, including planning, monitoring, and change management


Essential


Application / Interview


In depth current theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles of plant-soil interactions, including soil nutrient analyses, stable and radioactive isotopes, plant and fungal culture (axenic and non-sterile), use of controlled environments for plant growth, molecular biology, along with the associated technical support required to deliver a high-quality service


Essential


Application / Interview


Ability to work collaboratively with a range of staff to develop and deliver a high quality technical support for research project milestones

Essential


Application / Interview


Professionally Registered such as RSci, or HEA accreditation


Essential


Application / Interview


Flexible and adaptable, able to respond to changing work demands and priorities.


Essential


Application / Interview


Awareness of sustainable practices in laboratory management and experience in implementation of them.


Essential


Application / Interview


Experience of managing others, including delegating tasks, managing workloads or ensuring competency


Essential


Application / Interview


ISTR Biosafety Practitioner Level 1


Desirable


Application / Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

38,784 - 47,389 per annum with the potential to progress to 51,753

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

Available from 1 March 2026 for a period of 10 years

Line manager

Professor of Plant-Soil Processes

Direct reports

None

Our website

School of Biosciences


For informal enquiries about this job contact Katie Field, Professor of Plant-Soil Processes / PI: on k.j.field@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in December 2025. This will consist of a panel interview, tour of facilities, and a lab activity. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.