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Department of Biomedical Science

Faculty of Science

The Department of Biomedical Science is an active and expanding department with an excellent record in both teaching and research. At any one time we have approximately 500 undergraduate and over 80 resident or visiting postgraduate students. Our staff includes about 40 academics, 30 postdoctoral research workers, and 60 support staff (administrative, technical and secretarial). Our total research grant income exceeds £15 million - .

We undertake cutting edge research into the mechanisms that co-ordinate the organisation of molecules into cells, cells into tissues and tissues into whole animals, with special reference to the eventual application of the knowledge gained to human biology and medicine.

We are located on a single site at the heart of the university campus, very close to the Students’ Union facilities and main library. Following a £40 million building and refurbishment programme, our research and teaching facilities are among the best in the country. State-of-the-art laboratories, lecture theatres, computer suites and teaching equipment, provide an outstanding learning and working environment for our students and staff. The city centre is just a 15 minute walk from the University.

We have an outstanding reputation for the quality and breadth of expertise in biological teaching and were awarded 24/24 in the latest Teaching Quality Assessment (TQA) carried out by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

The department aims to teach students from its research base in order to disseminate knowledge of modern biology, to instruct future clinical practitioners in the biological basis of medicine and to train future researchers.

In the Research Assessment Exercise for 2008 we were ranked in third place in the UK for research in Biological Sciences (Source: Times Higher Education). The department is also keen to foster young independent researchers and is happy to consider prospective Career Development Award applications.

Our main areas of research, in aspects of cell and developmental biology and molecular physiology, attract academic staff of international scientific standing and we are proud to include three centres of research excellence: The MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics (CDBG); The Centre for Stem Cell Biology (CSCB; and The Centre for Membrane Interactions and Dynamics (CMIAD).

This post is one of a small team across these two departments engaged in the careful cleaning of the laboratory glassware that has been used and its autoclaving (sterilising). Some rinsing out of any substantial residues and removal of any remaining labels, before washing in a dedicated glasswash machine, may be involved.

Clean glassware is transferred to an autoclave to sterilise it, so it may be returned to research use without risk of contamination from its preceding usage. The post is part time (22.2 hours a week), involving either each weekday morning or each weekday afternoon Monday to Friday. (Which of these it will be is to be chosen by mutual agreement). For continuity, this post will overlap briefly each day with a parallel part time post.

The glasswash and autoclave machines take a specific time for each run and a number of runs per day is necessary to prevent work accumulating, so this post must work to a schedule for preparing glassware adequately, loading it, transferring it between machines, and arranging it for collection by the laboratory which provided it. Candidates must be able to work to such a programme and have appropriate dexterity to handle the glassware safely.

There will be ancillary duties, assisting in the teaching laboratories, research laboratories or elsewhere as appropriate and as time allows. Any specialist training and any personal protective equipment required will be supplied.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.Provide a laboratory glass washing service, using professional glasswash machines in one or more locations.

2.Provide an autoclave/sterilisation service, ensuring safe working procedures are followed, using professional autoclaves in one or more locations.

3.Provide glassware collection and delivery service to specified labs.

4.Book laundry items for collection and return.

5.Keep all relevant areas and facilities clean and in good order.

6.Label and monitor batches of glassware adequately, to ensure each lab’s glassware is kept separate as necessary and their specific requests are followed.

7.Report any operational problems, damaged glassware, etc, promptly to Departmental Manager or Deputy Manager or to the relevant lab, as appropriate.

8.Assist with sorting of laboratory coats for cleaning.

9.Assist with the planning of daily work schedules and prioritise own daily work to optimise the throughput of glassware from baskets of soiled items to clean and sterilised baskets of items ready for re-use. Inform departmental management of low stock, breakages, and machine problems.

10.Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, as requested by line manager or Head of Department.

Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications and experience
1. / Good general educational background / X
2. / Experience of cleaning of laboratory glassware and autoclaving / X
Communication skills
3. / Good interpersonal skills / X
4. / Effective verbal communication skills / X
4. / Ability to work in a flexible manner / X
Team working
5. / Ability to meet deadlines and work as part of a team / X
Personal effectiveness
7. / Reliability and punctuality / X
8. / Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances. / X
9. / Adequate manual dexterity to handle glassware safely / X
11. / Genuine commitment to excellent customer service / X

This post is fixed-term with a start date of XXXX or as soon as possible thereafter and an end date of XXXX. Or;

This post is open endedwith a start date of XXXX or as soon as possible thereafter

This post is full-time

This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University. Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business needs of the post. See for more information.

Or

This post is part-time working 22.2 hours per week, involving either each weekday morning or each weekday afternoon Monday to Friday. (Which of these it will be is to be chosen by mutual agreement).

Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 2 staff.

Salary for this grade: £14,344to £15,054 per annum pro-rata. Potential to progress to £15,456 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution.

More details on salaries, terms and conditions and our wide range of benefits for staff are available at

Closing date: XXXX

Informal enquiries:

For all on-line application system queries and support, contact: .

For informal enquiries about this job and Department, contact: XXXX on 0114 222 XXXX or

Following the closing date, you will be informed by email whether or not you have been shortlisted to be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to four working weeksfollowing the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact you.

It is anticipated that interviews and other selection action will be held on XXXX. Full details will be provided to invited candidates.

The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion.

The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer

The University has achieved the Athena SWAN award for Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine