Description

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
At the CPBM, we are interested in understanding, designing and building natural and artificial bionanomachines. Bionanomachines are fascinating nanoscale devices made from biological molecules, typically proteins, lipids, RNA and DNA. In nature they carry out an amazing array of tasks, from copying our DNA to converting light into energy. Our exploratory work uses a mixture of biochemical, structural and computational techniques plus the most important ingredient, imagination, to make machines that exceed nature's capabilities.

The Dept. of Biosciences partners with other areas of research strength in Durham University including Computational Sciences and Chemistry and encourages multidisciplinary research for Health and Wellbeing. Durham University was listed in the Times Higher World Top 50 Life Science Challengers (July 2017).

The Department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation and progression. The Department embraces excellence in all of its forms and invites all qualified applicants to apply. We particularly welcome applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in the academic sector.

You will join our multidisciplinary team to work on a project to design and produce an artificial, dynamic protein cage-based vaccine able to stimulate humoral responses, gain cell entry, and open within the cell to release cargoes that further stimulate immune response. This will primarily involve two work-packages, a) Protein-Cage Design and Engineering, and b) Protein Construction, validation and testing. The work is funded by the prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences.

The post holder will also be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day technical functions and operations in the Centre for Programmable Biological matter, providing technical assistance throughout a busy suite of laboratories ensuring smooth and efficient operation throughout both areas.

The location for this role will be 100% on-site in our newly refurbished labs with state-of-the art equipment, located in the Department of Chemistry, Durham University.

Responsibilities:
• To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
• To liaise with team members involved in de novo protein design and perform protein purifications.
• To use initiative to help maintain the smooth running of laboratories, including preparing reagent stocks, calibrating equipment, preparing competent cells and performing inventory checks.
• To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To work closely with our PDRA to plan workload of the research project.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.

Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many 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.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have 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 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.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• 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.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• 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).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.
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
Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria:
Qualifications/Experience
1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.
2. Experience of working in a protein design and DNA nanotechnology laboratory environment and working with other more specialist technicians to create an enjoyable working environment and enhance research outputs.
3. Experience of working in a team providing advice and guidance to colleagues.
4. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
5. Good spoken and written communication skills.
6. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including Microsoft Excel and word, digital communication tools and booking systems.
7. Relevant knowledge of microbiology and DNA gyrase
8. Knowledge of health and safety issues such as risk assessments and COSHH forms
9. Minimum 1 years' experience working in an engineering biology laboratory, specifically working on protein cages, viral capsis or CLPs

Desirable Criteria:
• Qualified to Higher National Certificate level (or equivalent qualification / experience) in a science subject.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of working in a structural synthetic biology lab and associated understanding of related research themes and approaches
• Ability to solve problems and resolve issues, plan solutions yourself and as part of a team
• Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.

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:
• A CV
• Optional - A supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Abbie Kelly would be happy to speak to you. abigail.kelly@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery
• Plan and organise your workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
• Resolve queries and requests for information and advice. Escalate more specialist and complex queries or issues to more experienced team members.
• Organise and schedule resources, activities and events.
• Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team.
• Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success.
• Provide more in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis activities within the role.
• Analyse work activities to ensure the effective and efficient use of capital and consumable equipment and resources.
• Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision.
• Advise others and make recommendations on work processes and procedures for consideration by senior management to improve services.
• Liaise with others to identify resource requirements, store and deliver resources and keep accurate records of stock levels.
• Control of laboratory spending, monitoring expenditure to the appropriate budget code and cost centre.
• Prepare safety documents and risk assessments for teaching, research and learning activities, e.g. COSHH.
• Support and assist with the provision of health and safety whilst adhering to set guidelines.
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University's values.

Teaching and Learning Support
• Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching, learning and research activities.
• Develop, construct and/or repair mechanical, electrical, electronic and digital equipment and tools, under the supervision of more experienced staff.
• Deliver professional technical and experimental services to undergraduates, postgraduates, research assistants and academic staff to support teaching, outreach, research and learning activities to meet sector and professional body standards.
• Provide demonstrations and instruction on various laboratory techniques and practices and the operation of particular equipment to others outside the team.
• Provide supervision for teaching, learning and research activities, including students and staff.
• Ensure the smooth running of a research facility and a range of laboratories, workshops, studios and/or experimental facilities, maintaining facilities to a safe standard for student use.
• Utilise new and existing resources to deliver teaching, research and/or learning objectives.
• Prepare and set-up equipment and facilities for the delivery of teaching, learning and research activities, including various outreach activities and summer schools.

Teamwork
• Act as a more knowledgeable team member without responsibility for team members.
• Contribute to collaborative decision making within the team with service provision to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience in accordance with policy and procedures.
• Collaborate with team members and academic staff to implement service alterations and plan the future development of laboratories.

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders
• Respond to stakeholder needs to deliver and shape an excellent stakeholder experience.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver a service.
• Provide guidance and advice to resolve problems and queries for a broad range of service users.
• Liaise with contacts and participate in networks and communities internally and possibly externally, contributing to effective collaborative working.
• Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, industries, visitors, academic staff, students and colleagues across the University to ensure a smooth and efficient service.
• Assist and advise students working in research laboratories on technical aspects of their research projects.
Any other reasonable duties.

SECONDMENT
The post is part time, fixed term for a period of 73 weeks and therefore may be offered on an internal secondment basis, subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

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.