Senior Research Technician - Environmental Engineering (Job Number: 26000687)
Department of Engineering
Grade 6: - £18,741.60 - £19,801.20, which is pro rata the full-time salary of £31,236 - £33,002
Fixed Term - Part Time
Contract Duration: 20 weeks
Contracted Hours per Week: 21
Working Arrangements: Ad hoc when available
Closing Date: 15-Jun-2026, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and the Department
The Department of Engineering consistently stands as one of the foremost engineering departments in the UK, renowned for its exceptional performance in teaching, research, and the successful career paths of its students. Its impressive achievements include a rank of 5th in the Complete University Guide 2026, 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2026, and 7th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 for General Engineering in the UK. The Department also secured a position within the top six UK departments in the REF 2021 assessment, with an outstanding publication rating of 4* and 3*. The Department proudly holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, a testament to its dedication to promoting diversity in STEM academics and fostering a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere.
We are looking to recruit a research technician on a short term fixed-term basis to support a project investigating interactions between microorganisms and nematodes in culture-based assays and soil environments. Experience with C. elegans maintenance is directly relevant and welcomed - the skills transfer to environmental nematode species.
This is a practical, hands-on role designed to establish biological research infrastructure in the department. You will work as part of a small team led by Dr Ciara Keating,( https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/ciara-keating/) with significant independence in your day-to-day work. The position is available to start immediately.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
- We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological science.
2. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
3. Demonstrated experience working in laboratory settings with aseptic technique.
4. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring your activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
5. Ability to culture nematodes (e.g. C. elegans or other species)
6. Competence in basic microscopy
7. Ability to plan, execute and record scientific studies independently and to deliver quality data in a timely fashion
8. Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot practical research issues
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and attention to detail
10. Demonstrable ability to deliver high precision technical skills and the operation of standard and complex scientific, technical and creative equipment.
11. Ability or potential to develop lab protocols and train lab users
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications / Experience
12. MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant biological discipline
Skills / Abilities / Knowledge
13. Experience with molecular methods
14. Expertise in microbiology
15. Expertise in plant experiments or pot trials
16. Experience working with soil
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails
What you are required to submit:
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A CV
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A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
Please note that applications will not be considered if they do not have these documents.
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact Dr Ciara Keating ([email protected])
Typical Role Requirements
Research Project Expertise
- Establishing and maintaining nematode culture stocks (C. elegans and environmental nematode species)
- Bacterial and fungal culturing using aseptic techniques
- Microscopy and culture monitoring
- Preparation of culture media
- Setting up and maintaining controlled plant pot experiments
- Developing and documenting laboratory protocols for future use
- Supporting staff and student training as protocols become established
Service Delivery
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
- Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
- Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible for.
- Share technical knowledge and expertise to support other team members.
- Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.
- Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.
- Collect, organise and record data and information accurately to provide reports.
- Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities, and systems to ensure safety, security and compliance.
- Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.
Planning and Organising
- Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role.
- Deliver assigned projects in accordance with agreed objectives ensuring a high level of accuracy, complexity, originality and excellence.
- Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering project work or core operational service.
- Seek feedback from staff, students and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.
- Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Teaching and Learning Support
- Commission, construct and setup test and experimental scenarios and practical sessions.
- Construct, test, repair and calibrate, tools, resources, equipment, components and instrumentation.
- Be an expert in the use of a range of machinery and equipment either physical, virtual or digital.
- Provide high-level technical guidance and advice to solve problems and help shape the delivery of teaching, learning and research outcomes.
- Arrange the maintenance of technical and experimental facilities, teaching and research environments.
- Setup, demonstrate, instruct and supervise the use and operation of specialist pieces of equipment.
- Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.
Communication/Liaison
- Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
- Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks and use a range of tools, machinery, equipment and digital services.
- Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks, which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills while swapping information with peers.
- Build relationships with contractors and third-party suppliers to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.
- Any other reasonable duties.
The role is a fixed term position with flexibility. It is anticipated the role will be for 20 weeks at 0.6 FTE.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
SECONDMENT
The post is part time, fixed term for a 20 week period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.
If an internal member of staff is appointed to this role on a secondment basis, for pension purposes this will be processed in line with Step-Up arrangements. For further details please click here.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
