LAMP Testing Laboratory Technician

Role Description

Department

This is an exciting opportunity to help support the Yorkshire region in the fight against Covid-19. As part of the Government’s national strategy to deliver asymptomatic testing, the University of York will be working in partnership with the NHS to set up a COVID 19 analytical laboratory facility at the University of York. 

The laboratory will be designed and operated to carry out a high volume of SARS CoV 2 saliva testing with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology.

Role

We are urgently seeking to recruit a number of LAMP Testing Laboratory Technicians potentially for a period up to end of June 2021. It is likely that the job holder will be required to work an early or late shift e.g. 7am to 3pm or 2pm to 10pm (shift patterns TBC) and the laboratory will operate across 7 days each week.

The main purpose of the role will be to provide technical and scientific support using LAMP technology.  The post holder will provide scientific services in a timely manner as an aid to clinical diagnosis of Covid-19, utilising the appropriate testing regime and processes to support Consultant Microbiologists to give the correct clinical diagnosis.   Good lab skills, accuracy and attention to detail is essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and perform analyses using a range of scientific techniques, sometimes working from a limited brief; for example workflow patterns for the LAMP assay.
• Be responsible for the maintenance, repair and operation of equipment.
• As required, solve faults, maintain and repair technical equipment including manual and sophisticated automated equipment, provide assistance with development of new methods
• Provide technical advice in relation to the laboratory activities and the techniques used, to staff and stakeholders, as required.
• Continuous improvement and quality assurance activity.
• Understand, promote and apply health and safety protocols ensuring procedures are followed at all times including disposal of waste.
• Maintain accurate records of work undertaken, including reports, noting the need for prompt notification or referral of unusual and urgent results, unusual or unfamiliar events as appropriate.
• Assist with purchasing including ordering and distributing goods and maintain an adequate supply of laboratory consumables.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• HNC, HND, Degree or equivalent in appropriate science discipline (e.g. Biology, Chemistry or related discipline) or appropriate experience
• Knowledge and ability to implement practical techniques used in a laboratory setting e.g.  dexterity and precision when manipulating small tools such as pipettes
• Ability to perform complex technical tasks to a consistently high standard with attention to detail
• Problem solving, analytical and interpretation (of data) skills
• In depth knowledge of relevant safety regulations and procedures e.g. COSHH and risk assessment
• IT literate with experience of using packages such as Microsoft Word and Excel

This is a fixed term contract until 30 June 2021

Interview date: January 2021, please note you may be invited to a virtual interview at short notice due to the urgent nature of this recruitment 

For informal enquiries: please email on dcis518@york.ac.uk

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