Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to work on regenerative medicine within King s BHF Centre of Excellence and join a collaborative multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will be working towards developing an organoid perfusion bioreactor to enable the study of microvascular perfusion, a functional parameter critical for microangiopathy progression.

The post is funded by the King s College London British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, a Centre designed to nurture interdisciplinary collaborations and bench-to-bedside projects in cardiovascular research. The post is a pump-priming initiative with strong translational potential that will employ state of the art technologies such as regenerative medicine/ iPS cells, organoids, computational modelling of disease and tissue engineering systems.

Relevant publications

1. Sara G Romeo et al. (doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.09.01.505804)

2. Suzette T Lust et al. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01723.

3. Lust ST, doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.02.031.

4. Corral-Acero J,et al. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa159.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 6 months or till 31 March 2024

This is a full-time post - 35 hours % full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

Provide in-depth knowledge of technical or scientific practices, methods and procedures gained through experience and/or formal qualification.

Be responsible for the delivery and day-to-day management of a range of technical services, ensuring an efficient use of resources.

Engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment and Research Concordat for a minimum of 10 days pro rata per year.

Manage/ supervise the installation, maintenance and security of equipment, systems, and software, with control over service budgets, stocks/stores equipment and supplies.

Manage/supervise a small team, advising and providing feedback and identifying training and development needs.

Manage own workload, pattern of work and resources based on an agreed work plan.

Be responsive to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided.

Use a systematic and timely approach to solve problems that have a moderate impact on the service of potentially up to a year making decisions independently using agreed guidelines.

Use well-developed analytical skills to identify trends and patterns, using appropriate techniques and procedures to inform decisions.

Work with colleagues and network within and beyond King s.

Actively engage in the King s Technical Network, building a network across the Faculty to provide peer support and opportunities to share best practice.

Forge relationships with colleagues in the university and externally, to build relationships, disseminate and get information, coordinate, and deliver the service.

Provide advice/ guidance and, where appropriate, training.

Communicate complex information in a clear and precise way, both orally and in writing.

Adapt local procedures to improve the service to meet the needs of the users.

Demonstrate leadership and innovation in the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices, recording progress through the King s sustainability audit process and sharing good practice. Nurture and encourage sustainable practices and leadership within your team and networks.

Be responsible for the compliance with relevant regulations governing the service, completing risk assessments to inform actions and ensure a safe and environmentally sustainable workplace.

Report accidents/ incidents and participate in accident investigations where appropriate.

Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working with academic, research and other professional services staff and colleagues external to King s.

Participate in cross-School/ Faculty/ university projects and initiatives for up to 10% FTE.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. Minimum level 4 qualification, e.g., higher apprenticeship, HNC or other Level 4 award, plus work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts OR Considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific posts.

2. Evidence of an active commitment to career development including professional registration, such as RSci, or working towards CSci and clear progression in increasingly demanding jobs.

3. Extensive technical experience and knowledge of a range of scientific procedures and the underpinning scientific theory applicable to the work area and the environment impact.

4. Clear spoken and written communication skills, with proficient computer use and strong interpersonal and influencing/behavioural skills.

5. Proactive and responsive to contacts in immediate area, across the wider organisation and externally (e.g., suppliers) to build relationships and network.

6. Solutions-focused self-starter, with excellent planning and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities and work with minimal supervision.

7. Good working knowledge of regulations and best practice governing area of work, including Health & Safety and environmental sustainability.

8. Knowledge of environmental impacts of laboratory work and an interest in reducing the negative impacts.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of supervising/advising junior team members, giving feedback on performance levels and training/coaching where necessary.

2. Able and willing to provide support beyond core hours, as required.