Overview
As a Technician you will work as an integral member of the School’s existing technical team. Reporting to Professor Sergio Rutella, you will assist in the planning, design, and execution of a range of experimental procedures in addition to the maintenance of a range of specialist equipment to support research activities. You will provide technical expertise to research projects led by Professor Rutella, alongside administration duties such as record keeping and ordering consumables.
You will adopt high working standards to ensure the Division’s technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Perform research experiments as required. Support the daily running of Professor Rutella’s laboratory to ensure continued safe and reliable service excellence.
- Specific roles & responsibilities:
- Present data and results to Professor Rutella’s research group and wider audiences as required.
- Perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
- Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research work, cell line usage etc.
- Maintain lab databases, including CoSHH, stocks, etc.
- Provide a high-quality, detailed and effective technical service. Liaise with Professor Rutella regarding potential work, provide guidance, and carry out experimental procedures. Where required provide cost estimates and timescales for work and work materials.
- Provide technical advice and training/demonstrations in the use of specialised equipment to staff, students, and visitors, ensuring that Health and Safety is maintained throughout.
- Contribute as part of larger, Division-wide collaborative projects Professor Rutella is involved with to support the achievement of project objectives.
- Plan experimental tasks up to 3 weeks ahead, although advance planning may vary from 1 week – 3 months ahead depending on the research programme and scale.
- Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students, and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues as appropriate.
- Use, monitor and maintain a range of general and specialist technical equipment to meet the needs of the Division with regard to teaching and experimental work, ensuring minimum impact is caused by faulty equipment. Be involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques. This involves installing, monitoring and maintaining technical equipment and systems.
- Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations. Provide safety information to staff and students. Carry out and document risk assessments on student and staff activities, maintain training records and liaise with the Division Safety Officer to ensure compliance with legislation and University policies.
- Work collaboratively across School of Medicine & Population Health divisions, providing support, advice and guidance when required.
- As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
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.
An Ordinary or Higher National Diploma in a relevant scientific field (or have equivalent experience)
Experience of working in a technical support environment
Role-specific skills:
- Processing of human samples
- Flow cytometry
- Cell culture
Other skills:
- Molecular biology techniques (PCR, library preparation)
- Histopathology techniques
Excellent knowledge of safe working practices and experience of applying Health and Safety in a laboratory environment
Technical professional registration or the willingness to work towards this
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate to academic, research and technical staff at all levels within the organisation
Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving
Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities
Ability to work to tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy
Understanding of the health and safety issues relevant to the area and the ability to instil good health and safety practices within a team
Further Information
Full-time 35 hours per week
Professor Sergio Rutella, Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy, SMPH
https://sheffield.ac.uk/cancer/about/leadership-team
For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Sergio Rutella at
[email protected] Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on
25 August 2026. This will consist of an interview and a short power-point presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing
17 August 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact the Staffing Team at
[email protected].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 38 days 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; integrated with our 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.
