Role Title: Bioprocessing Laboratory Technician
Grade and Salary: Grade 5, £26,707 - £31,236 per annum
FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week); Fixed-term (35 months)
Reward and Benefits : 28 days annual leave   plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday). Use our total rewards calculator:   https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm   to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
About our Team
The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) www.ibioic.com aims to accelerate the commercialisation of the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland, the UK and worldwide. IBioIC's Bioprocessing Scale-Up Centre (FlexBio) based at Heriot Watt University (HWU), supports industry and academia, allowing them the opportunity to execute scale-up studies using state of the art fermentation and downstream processing equipment.
Hosted within the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3), FlexBio provides clients with access to expertise and equipment to carry out semi-pilot scale fermentation and downstream processing. This primarily encompasses microbial culture at scales up to 300 litres, along with a variety of downstream processing techniques for cell and molecule separation. These methods are used in the production of bio-based products for various industrial biotechnology market segments, and include whole cells, as well as enzyme, peptide, and small molecule-derived products.
Many of our industry client work within the exciting areas of biotechnology such as marine, agriceuticals, biomass, carbon capture, biomaterials and food, all helping to deliver the national biotechnology plan and working towards ‘net-zero'. Learn more about what we do: https://www.ibioic.com/bioprocessing-scale-up-centres
Purpose of Role
FlexBIO is seeking a motivated and skilled Lab Technician to join our dynamic team specialising in fermentation and cell culture scale-up and downstream processing. The facility features advanced bioreactors and fermenters ranging from 2L to 300L, alongside complementary downstream processing equipment, to support innovative bioprocessing solutions development for external clients and academics.
This role is essential to maintaining a high standard of laboratory operation and efficiency. The Lab Technician will play a key role in supporting daily technical tasks, from preparing and maintaining equipment to performing routine cleaning and maintenance, inventory control and purchasing of consumables, and assisting in training and facility records upkeep. The position requires a proactive and competent individual with strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well with all team members across various functions.
The role holder will be line managed by the Upstream Bioprocessing Manager.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Support
- Assist in the setup, calibration, operation, and monitoring of bioreactors, fermenters, and associated downstream processing equipment.
- Support team with project operations and troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with senior scientists and scientists.
- Aid in the preparation and sterile handling of cultures and media for fermentation and cell culture processes.
- Aid in the preparation of buffers and reagents for downstream processes and upstream sample analysis.
- Perform routine cleaning operations on equipment and ensure this is conducted in compliance with local health and safety procedures
Maintenance & Cleaning
- Coordinate overall scheduling of equipment maintenance, including requesting RAMS, liaising with building management and service engineers, collating/recording service reports, actioning follow-up orders.
- Maintain schedules for cleaning and maintenance of the scale-up facility and its equipment.
- Perform regular cleaning, sanitation, and routine maintenance of laboratory and bioprocessing equipment to ensure operational readiness.
- Monitor and track equipment performance and report issues promptly to maintain process continuity.
- Follow strict cleaning protocols to ensure contamination control.
Inventory & Procurement
- Maintain inventory of lab supplies and consumables; assisting in purchasing materials to ensure the facility is stocked appropriately with both routine and client consumables
- Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for timely and cost-effective ordering and delivery.
- Use organisational procurement software to place orders
- Record purchasing and receipt in a timely and accurate manager
- Assist in maintaining client and project consumable inventory and usage records.
Documentation & Compliance
- Record all relevant data and maintain accurate lab documentation following Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and relevant SOPs.
- Adhere to Process COSHH and risk assessment documentation, biological safety procedures protocols, and maintain a clean, organised, and compliant work environment.
- Flag hazards as appropriate, especially near-miss and accidents
Training & Collaboration
- Provide training to a high standard to newly on-boarded colleagues and ensure operational continuity.
- Participate in training and support team members in equipment operation and laboratory procedures.
- Assist with setup for training courses, including printing of documentation, room organisation and catering.
- Work collaboratively across departments with the university and IBioIC, ensuring effective communication and efficient workflow within the lab.
- Attend weekly team meetings and update orally and in writing as matters arises and as requested by the line manager
Person Specification
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.
Essential
- At least an HND and/or Batchelors qualification in a related subject such as biology, biotechnology or biochemistry or similar, equivalent to SCQF level 8 or higher. This role is NOT suitable for PhD qualification or equivalent experience.
- Previous experience performing technical support work in a bioprocessing environment, to support cell culture or fermentation bioreactors
- Experience of making up large volumes of complex buffer/media (> 10 litres).
- Experience of using and maintaining routine laboratory equipment - eg. Balances, pH meter, spectrophotometer, biosafety cabinets, autoclave etc.
Experience conducting routine cleaning of a laboratory workplace
- : e.g daily, weekly cleaning of surfaces and equipment
- Evidence of excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with a friendly, collaborative approach to working within a team.
Desirable
Experience of taking and processing samples
- : eg. taking samples, analysis and timely reporting results
- Experience with routine internal audits eg. GLP/inventory
- Experience of performing calibrations on bioprocessing equipment
Experience with bioreactors (50L:300L) and/or downstream processing equipment
- : eg. Performing routine cleaning on larger scale lab/pilot scale equipment
- Experience of inventory management and procurement processes.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Thursday 18th June 2026.
About Heriot-Watt University
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
