THE ROLE

As Scientific Support Operative you will take all the skills, learning, knowledge and experience gained as a Junior Scientific Support Operative to the next level. You will gain a greater technical understanding of our technical and quality processes and why they are used beyond simply performing the tasks. You will also gain a greater insight and responsibility for the progress of customer studies by contributing to discussions to ensure the required cells, reagents, and proteins are available and on time.

The role involves supporting the Operations department by ensuring the smooth running of the laboratory through providing media, cells, proteins and support during assay work and thus delivering high quality data to our customers whilst collaborating and communicating with Operations and Quality colleagues to ensure the smooth running of laboratory practices and customer projects.

In addition, this role carries the responsibility of providing training to other personnel in processes that the department are responsible for (cell culture, for example).

WHAT WE EXPECT YOU TO DO

Laboratory Techniques

• Understand and follow cell culture processes including thaw, maintenance, banking and release testing of all cell lines for routine and pre-assay cell culture.

• Prepare and maintain stock of all media, reagents, and buffers.

• Perform assay component tasks including but not limited to: PBMC thaw, assay take offs, plate coating and data checks.

• Perform all aspects of cell line development studies including transductions, selection, expansion, cloning out and document review.

• Perform all steps of protein purification and QC tests.

• Set up Data Generating Equipment for colleagues within the Operations team and perform data reads where required.

• Carry out environmental monitoring of the lab.

• Perform new techniques as directed by Scientific Support Supervisor/Manager.

General

• Independently prepare documentation for custom media/reagents/cell culture.

• Prepare cell culture instructions and ensure full traceability of our cell banks from thaw through to release.

• Create the cell culture schedule including creation of cell banks and pre assay culture.

• Create and book in new cell banks in LIMS.

• Complete study records and input information into CoAs for in house materials such as cell banks and proteins.

• Advise procurement when additional materials/stock needs ordered

• Be the technical lead on non DGE equipment.
  

Training

• Provide on the job training for all practical skills covered by the Scientific Support team including demonstration, supervision and feedback.
  

Compliance

• Create or adapt new documents for scientific support processes.

• Independently identify, undertake, and complete both simple and complex change controls.

• Propose ideas for continual improvement and collaborate and participate in implementation.

• Write risk assessments e.g. media/reagent alternatives.

• Lead Scientific Support deviations and CAPAs where appropriate.

• Ensure all completed documentation is archived in a timely manner.
  

Health and Safety

• Adhere to all health and safety policies in the workplace.

• Always wear PPE that is appropriate to the task being carried out.

• Ensure compliance with COSHH documentation in support of correct handling and storage.

• Ensure compliance with COSHH documentation in support of disposal of materials and
  biological waste.

• Prepare COSHH and health and safety risk assessments, supported by the Health & Safety Committee.

• Identify and report and hazards or accidents observed in the workplace to the Health and
  Safety Committee.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR FROM YOU

We would like you to have the following:
• An enthusiasm for science and a willingness to build upon knowledge already gained.
• Be self-motivated, proactive, and wanting to grow and develop their career with us.
• The ability to understand and follow SOP-driven procedures with minimal errors/revisions.
• Laboratory experience in an academic or industrial setting, would be beneficial but is not essential.
• Higher/Advanced Higher Biology or Life Sciences. (HNC/HND in relevant field would be advantageous)

To support a culture within RoukenBio which is aligned to our company values and behaviours, we would like you to be:
• Highly organised, be productive with the ability to deliver your work on time and to a high standard.
• An excellent communicator and able to foster relationships externally and internally at all levels within the business.
• Friendly with a helpful attitude.
• Self-aware, have emotional intelligence with the ability to see things from others’ perspective.
• A team player to learn, grow and share best practice with colleagues.
• Focused and have a strong attention for detail.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Of a curious mindset, question, listen and enhance your own understanding of what we do.
• Contribute to continuous improvement within the business.
• Customer focused with the customer at the heart of everything that you do.
• A champion for self-learning and development in support of employee development.
• Accountable with ownership for the tasks trained in and for delivery.
• Flexible and adaptable.

WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM US

You will get the chance to learn, grow, develop, and enhance your career within a biotechnology company at the forefront of drug development strategies. In addition, the company offers the following benefits package:
• Starting salary of £24,500 to £31,500, which is band/experience dependent.
• Pension.
• 32 days holiday per annum (inclusive of public holidays) which increases to a maximum of 37.
• Death in Benefit Service which includes access to a 24/7 virtual GP.
• Flexible working.
• Refer a Friend Scheme.
• On-site car parking.
• Free Healthy Snacks.
• Merit Award Recognition Scheme.
• The opportunity to join several committees or focus groups (Employee Engagement, Wellness, Recognition, Health & Safety or Social Committee).