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Laboratory Technical Specialist
Requisition ID: 29494
Location:
Newcastle, GB
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Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 18 Jun 2026
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Salary: £32,080 to £33,002 with progression to £34,610 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 02 July 2026
The Role
Reporting to the Institute Technical Manager team, and working closely with the Deputy Director of the NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit (BTRU ODT) in Organ Donation and Transplantation (Professor Andrew Fisher) and the Translational Perfusion Facility Manager (Miss Lucy Bates), the postholder will provide high‑quality technical support to research programmes in solid organ transplantation.
The role supports delivery of the NIHR BTRU ODT research programme, primarily focused on ex vivo organ perfusion studies, alongside contributing to a wider range of translational research activity.
This is a hands‑on technical role requiring flexibility, including regular out‑of‑hours working and the ability to respond to time‑critical research needs at short notice. The postholder will apply strong practical and scientific expertise to deliver accurate, high‑quality and compliant research support, and will contribute to associated operational and regulatory processes.
Based across Newcastle University and the Institute of Transplantation at the Freeman Hospital, the postholder will work within a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, scientists and technical staff, supporting research delivery across the transplant research programme. The role also includes collaboration with external partners, including the co‑unit at the University of Cambridge and participation in relevant national meetings.
Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a proactive, team‑oriented approach are essential in this collaborative, and supportive research environment.
This is a full-time position available for the duration of 12 months.
Informal enquiries are strongly encouraged. Please contact Miss Lucy Bates (
[email protected]) or Professor Andrew Fisher (
[email protected]) to discuss the post prior to applying.
Key Accountabilities
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Complete a range of routine and complex maintenance activities and repairs
Provide general and specialist research support, including protocol development
Prepare, process, and manufacture specimens/samples requiring specialist skills with limited direction
Maintain equipment, manage bookings, calculate charges, assist with recharging, and advise on equipment capabilities demonstrating how results can be achieved
Source and negotiate with suppliers for specialist equipment or consumables
Manage delegated laboratory spaces and oversee compliance tasks, safety records, and access control
Design, develop and deliver inductions, demonstrations and training on complex techniques and equipment
Mentor junior staff and assist in identifying training and development needs
Maintain and share specialist knowledge
Schedule, prioritise and monitor work in line with deadlines
Contribute to research programme development, delivery and planning
Implement procedures to ensure efficient and effective research delivery
Manage budgets and monitor resource usage
Operations
Hold delegated responsibility for planning perfusion activities and associated sample collection
Prepare and support ex vivo organ perfusion runs, including set‑up, monitoring and shutdown of equipment
Coordinate the collection, processing and storage of perfusion‑derived samples and associated data
Liaise with multidisciplinary NHS teams, retrieval teams and research staff to coordinate organ access, perfusion scheduling and sample collection
Act as the day‑to‑day contact for staff involved in perfusion activities and associated research
Coordinate with couriers and research collaborators for the shipment of perfused organs, samples and materials, including international transport
Ensure timely response to equipment issues, including acting as an emergency contact for perfusion equipment failure or urgent operational issues
Work flexibly, including out‑of‑hours and short‑notice activity, to support time‑critical perfusion and research operations
Review sensitive and potentially distressing clinical information as part of research and perfusion activities
Data and documentation
Record and manage perfusion run data, ensuring accurate capture of experimental parameters and outcomes
Maintain and update research databases (e.g. REDCap, Achiever) to track perfusion activity, samples and associated metadata
Generate summary reports on perfusion runs, sample utilisation and research outputs as required
Maintain local ethics site files under delegation from the Principal Investigator
Support the preparation, submission and amendment of ethics applications and regulatory documentation relating to perfusion research studies
Maintain accurate, complete and auditable records in accordance with research governance and regulatory requirements
Coordinate the documentation, version control and dissemination of perfusion protocols and standard operating procedures across research and NHS teams
Compliance and safety
Maintain and implement procedures to ensure a safe and compliant working environment within the perfusion facility and associated areas
Ensure compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004, GCP, Caldicott Principles, Data Protection and the Research Governance Framework
Complete and maintain safety documentation, including project‑specific COSHH, biological COSHH and risk assessments covering perfusion activities and associated areas
Monitor compliance tasks, ensuring timely completion and maintenance of appropriate records
Actively identify, report and investigate incidents and non‑conformances, including perfusion‑related equipment or process failures
Maintain in‑depth and up‑to‑date knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to perfusion and laboratory activities
Support safe handling, storage and disposal of human tissue, biological samples and associated materials in accordance with regulatory requirements
Ensure appropriate use, maintenance and safety checks of perfusion equipment and associated systems
Teamwork and Communication
Organise and facilitate team meetings to support coordination of perfusion and research activities
Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with multidisciplinary NHS teams, research staff and collaborators
Act as a key point of contact for perfusion‑related activities, ensuring clear and timely communication across teams
Work collaboratively within a small specialist team, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive and effective working environment
Provide guidance and support to junior staff engaged in perfusion and research activities
Contribute to the development, update and implementation of standard operating procedures and shared working practices
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
Experience in a technical laboratory, clinical research or perfusion-related setting
Experience of working with human tissue or biological samples within a regulated environment
In-depth knowledge of Health and Safety procedures, the Human Tissue Act 2004, and Good Clinical Practice
Experience supporting complex experimental or technical procedures (e.g. perfusion, advanced laboratory techniques)
Strong communication and teamworking skills, including working with multidisciplinary clinical and academic teams
Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems and meet deadlines independently, including in time‑critical situations
Experience of recording and managing research data, including use of databases and sample tracking systems
Desirable
Experience of ex vivo organ perfusion or related technologies
Experience with Achiever
Experience with REDCap
Experience of working within a clinical environment (e.g. theatres, ICU, transplant settings)
Ability to adapt to evolving research priorities and experimental demands
Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
Attributes and Behaviour
Tact and diplomacy, with the ability to handle sensitive or complex situations
Ability to meet deadlines using effective time and resource management
Clear communicator and active listener
Consistent and appropriate approach to colleagues and situations
Ability to use feedback to support process improvement and team development
Team player and self‑starter, able to manage a complex and varied workload
Ability to respond positively and proactively to changing priorities and operational demands
Qualifications
BTEC HNC / HND; or A’ level (or equivalent) qualification; or broad work experience acquired through a combination of vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding relevant roles
Professional registration with an accredited professional body (including HEA) or working towards this on appointment (Desirable)
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 29494
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