Job Profile

Core job information
Job Title / Research Technician
Dept./School/Inst. / Barts Cancer Institute / Section/Centre/Unit / Tumour Biology
Career Family / Technical / Grade / 4
Working hours per week / Full time / Appointment period / 36 months
Reports to (job title) / PCRFTB Director/ Deputy Director / Current location / Charterhouse Square - will require travel to NHS sites
Job purpose
The principal duty of the post will be to conduct laboratory and tissue banking activities ofThePancreatic Cancer Research Fund Tissue Bank (PCRFTB). This involves the processing of samples acquired by the Tissue Bank by cell culture, cutting of human tissue specimens and paraffin embedding, followed by cutting sections and H&E stain, RNA/DNA extraction and validation of results, quality assurance and control protocols, for various research projects arising from the Tissue Bank.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements / Essential/Desirable
Qualifications /
  1. BSc or equivalent in ananimal biological subject
  2. MSc in Cancer biology, pathology, cancer therapeutics or related subject
/ E
D
Experience /
  1. Substantial professional experience in cell culture
  2. Substantial professional experience in human pathology specimen handling
  3. Expertise in RNA/DNA extraction
  4. Experience in construction of Tissue Micro-arrays
  5. Experience in quality assurance programmes
  6. Experience in quality control programmes
  7. Experience of working with multi-disciplinary large teams
/ E
E
D
D
D
D
D
Knowledge, skills & abilities /
  1. Ability to maintain accurate and detailed records
  2. To provide advice, training and support others in topics related to laboratory working to other team members
  3. Experience with maintaining databases
  4. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  5. Good attention to detail
  6. Evidence of disseminating research results through presentations and/or scientific publications
  7. Medical knowledge and/or terminology
  8. Knowledge of Research Governance and Good Clinical Practice
  9. Ability to work with minimal supervision and prioritise allocated tasks
  10. Excellent communication and organizational skills
/ E
E
E
E
D
D
E
E
E
E
Attitude & disposition /
  1. Well organized, flexible and co-operative
  2. Willingness to learn new skills
  3. Confident, communicating well at all levels: oral and written
/ E
E
E
Other circumstances /
  1. Willingness to work hard and be committed to meeting project deadlines as required.
/ E
Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
Specific Duties
  • The post-holder will be responsible for the PCRFTB clinical samples processing and storage. Moreover, the post-holder will work closely with the Co-ordinator of the PCRFTB to set the guidelines for the return of the experimental data generated on the PCRFTB samples. The post-holder will provide appropriate advice on dealing with the retuned sample data to allow further studies/analysis to be carried out as required and to maximise the access and usage of collectedsamples by the wider pancreas cancer research community.
  • Maintain sample records in appropriatePCRFTB relational databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records,in accordance with the provisions of the HTA, and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
  • Travelling to various sites to collect samples acquired by PCRFTB and transporting tissues in accordance with local, PCRFTB and QMUL guidelines.
  • Cell culture and development of primary cell lines.
  • Cutting and sectioning human pathology specimens
  • Nucleic acid extractions as required.
  • Retrieval of frozen samples for requests.
  • In the event of a statutory inspection, or audit, to assist the PCRFTB Co-ordinator and PCRFTB Director in preparing appropriate documentation and making necessary arrangements for the inspection in conjunction with the relevant departments
  • Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance
  • In addition the post holder will be expected to carry out any other duties and responsibilities within the scope, spirit and purpose of the post and its grading as requested by the line manager. These will include sharing in departmental duties. Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.
  • Ensure that all activities are undertaken according to PCRFTB SOPs, HTA, and QMUL protocols
  • The postholder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the College’s Equal Opportunities policy.
  • To attend PCRFTB meetings as directed.
  • To provide cover for other PCRFTB staff in their absence and work flexibly in all areas of the PCRFTB Co-ordinating centre including tissue analysis.
  • To work closely with PCRFTB network of experts to populate the database with clinical samples’ data; review the data and ensure its relevance, accuracy and consistency and maintain its integrity.
  • To train PCRFTB staff to ensure that all PCRFTB staff can use samples effectively.
  • To be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and administration of the equipment; advice and help with the implementation of servicing and ordering of equipment and material.
  • To help prepare research report, manuscripts and grant submissions.
  • To help generate data for presentation at regional, national and international meetings, as required.
  • To contribute to the overall scientific endeavour of the PCRFTB, and possibly to take responsibility for areas of other projects, as demand requires.
  • To attend and participate in the PCRFTB’s academic activities, e.g. laboratory and journal club meetings, research group meetings and weekly seminars.

General Duties

  • To collect and analyse data.
  • To maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentially of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
  • To prepare reports and scientific publications to disseminate results from the programme of research.
  • To keep up to date with scientific, clinical and professional issues, in particular developments in the specific subject area.
  • To undertake literature searches to explore potential research projects, and to be able to interpret and present the findings of the literature searches and advise the research teams appropriately regarding potential projects.
  • To supervise and train where necessary new members of the research team.
  • To assist in drafting budgets and applications for potential research projects and grants.
  • To show a professional attitude to matters of laboratory hygiene, organisation and safety, and to observe and to take an active role in fulfilling all statutory health and safety regulations.
  • To be aware of own limitations and refer problems to the appropriate person.

Working Environment
  • Responsible, under the general guidance of thePCRFTB Director, for undertaking the programme of research.
  • Prepare reports of appropriate research results for public presentation through seminars and conferences.
  • Undertake such other technical/research duties as may be reasonably expected by the PCRFTB Director.
  • Conduct empirical research as required by the research programme.
  • Comply with relevant College policies and regulations with due regard to financial matters, harassment, equal opportunities, public interest disclosure, health and safety, intellectual property and patenting, data protection or any other rules, regulations or codes binding on the member of staff.
  • Participate in the College Appraisal Scheme (QMPAS) and demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
  • To show a professional attitude to matters of laboratory hygiene, organisation and safety, and to observe and to take an active role in fulfilling all statutory health and safety regulations.
  • To ensure that all research is undertaken according to good research practice and guidance, such as Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), College and Trust protocols.
  • The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the postholder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of research grade staff in a university.
These duties will be subject to review in line with the changing requirements of the School or College, and with the development needs of the postholder as identified through regular review/appraisal processes.
Freedom to Act & Decision Making
  • Principally responsible for organisation and prioritisation of researchfollowing consultation with the PCRFTB Director.
  • Adoption of flexible working practices where required.
  • Judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of data or any other information.
  • Develop, in collaboration with the PCRFTB Director, such new techniques as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the research.

Communication & Networking
Exchange relevant information, relevant to the project both internally and externally: with staff, students, senior management and peers.
Internal
  • Regular contact with PCRFTBteam.
  • Establish and maintain relationships in order to collaborate with researchers and academics in own team, within the department and outside the department within the College when necessary.
  • Liaison with BCI Tissue Banks.
External
  • Work with external collaborators as agreed with the PCRFTB Director.

Finance/Resource Management
n/a
People Management
  • Where appropriate to assist the supervision, training, expert advice and / or assistance to new members of the team, research students.
  • No direct line management.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
Organisation Chart

Note: The scientific full name of the tissue bank is Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund (PCRF)National Pancreas Registry and Tissue bank (NPRTB).