Internal Applicants Only – Technical Specialist

Job title:

Internal Applicants Only – Technical Specialist

Company:

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateSchool of MedicineAdvertThis post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.Internal Applicants Only – Technical Specialist
Division of Cancer and Genetics
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life SciencesThe Wales Cancer Biobank (WCB) (based within the School of Medicine, Cardiff University) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated technical specialist to carry out biobanking and histology support duties within the WCB laboratories based within University Hospital of Wales (UHW). The postholder will be required to organise sample collection and liaise with operating theatre and pathology staff to ensure timely sample processing. Accurate data collation and data entry is key to the role. The postholder will be handling and processing human tissue, blood and urine samples and good laboratory skills and previous experience with biosamples are required. The postholder must be able to work on their own initiative, unsupervised, work to deadlines and have the ability to plan and organise their own workload. Attention to detail and accuracy are vital for data entry and sample labelling and good communication skills are necessary to liaise with hospital pathology departments, theatre staff and other members of the Wales Cancer Biobank team.Applicants should have a BSc in a biomedical related discipline, or relevant industrial experience with specific expertise in the analyses of clinical biospecimens.The post-holder may be required to apply some flexibility to working hours when required (e.g. to facilitate ad-hoc late collection of samples).The role sits within the Division of Cancer & Genetics and is funded by Health and Care Research Wales. This post will be based on the Heath Park campus.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Lisa Spary – SparyLK@cardiff.ac.ukThis post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term until 31st March 2025 and available from 1st January 2025.Salary £33,232 – £35,880 per annum (Grade 5). Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances.Closing date: 12 January 2025External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Post Reference Number19540BRJob DescriptionJob PurposeSupport the Wales Cancer Biobank with sample collection and processing, carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support, and leading projects within this areaDuties and ResponsibilitiesKey Duties

• Provide professional advice and guidance on histology, pathology and biobanking processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood
• Investigate and analyse specific issues within biospecimen handling related to cellular pathology and biobanking and performance, creating recommendation reports, supported by advances within the field of biobanking
• Ensure that the provision of the sample processing and biobanking is delivered to the institution, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements
• Collaborate with others in order to make recommendations for developments of established processes and procedures
• Establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required
• Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to achieve Wales Cancer Biobank and Division of Cancer and genetics objectives
• Supervise specific project teams on an occasional basis to accomplish key objectives
• Develop and deliver training within sample collection, processing and biobanking
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department
• Instruct and guide other employees across the University within biobanking and sample collection and processing as required
• Attend quarterly DCG Health and safety meetings, report any issues to H&S manager and estates, feedback updates to team and oversee the health and safety of the WCB offices and lab space and the DCG internal H&S workplace inspections, implement any improvements
• Completing the LEAF portfolio for the WCB lab/ office (all labs required to have bronze level by spring 2025) and implement sustainability improvements/ initiatives

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role

Salary Range Max.35,880GradeGrade 5Salary Range Min.33,232Job CategoryManagement & Executive, TechnicalAdditional InformationHow we will support you in performing in this role –There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:1. Regular one-to-ones with your manager
2. An experienced and supportive team around you
3. Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require
4. A mentoring schemeIMPORTANT: Evidencing CriteriaIt is School of Medicine’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 19540BR.If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.Career PathwayManagerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSSPerson SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education
1. Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience in a biomedical related disciplineKnowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Substantial experience of working with human samples – ideally in a histology, biobanking or research setting
3. Able to demonstrate professional knowledge within human sample collection and biobanking to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers
4. Ability to set up standard office systems and procedures and make improvements as appropriate
5. Substantial experience of working with confidential/sensitive data, with particular attention to detail and accuracy being vital for data entry and sample labellingCustomer Service, Communication and Team Working
6. Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people
7. Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is deliveredPlanning, Analysis and Problem Solving
8. Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identifying and proposing practical solutions and resolving problems with range of potential outcomes
9. Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of key advances within specialist discipline
10. Evidence of ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, planning and setting priorities for own work and that of others and monitoring progress.Desirable Criteria11. Evidence of managing and reporting health and safety procedures
12. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
13. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral
14. A willingness to undertake further training and development

Expected salary

£33232 – 35880 per year

Location

Wales

Job date

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 04:28:41 GMT

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