Sustainability Research Assistant

The Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences is seeking to recruit a technician. This key Professional Services role will support the Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, one of three research Centres within the Faculty.

The Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology is one of the leading centres for Craniofacial Biology worldwide with research focusing on craniofacial and stem cell biology, innovative approaches to regeneration and repair and big data approaches to understand the complexity of development and disease. Our research spans basic, clinical and translational sciences. It offers a vibrant, collaborative, and interactive research and teaching environment in the heart of London.

The primary purpose of this role will be to provide molecular biology support to the Centre and to help maintain the research laboratories in a clean, safe, and tidy manner. Work closely with the Technical Operations Manager and the lead academics to ensure that technical support is professional, well-executed, and timely, complying with university policies and funders terms and conditions and adopting best practices.

The post holder is expected to contribute to several technical objectives, including health and safety compliance, good laboratory practice, equipment maintenance, maintenance of lab consumables stocks, waste and genotyping service and ordering. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic and motivated team player who works well with a technical team, is willing to explore new innovative approaches, and is committed to continued personal development.

Technical Support

• Responsible for providing a range of molecular biology services, such as Genotyping, where there are established standards and requirements. 
• To provide colleagues with advice and guidance as required
• The postholder will maintain stocks of consumables in the research Laboratories.
• The postholder will begin to undertake additional responsibilities as determined by the operations manager and to demonstrate job based acquired knowledge to enable more in-depth laboratory support.
• Provide a range of technical support, normally following an established pattern, with limited supervision, and with a clearly defined objective, both following established guidance and procedures and applying knowledge and skills.
• To be responsive to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided and resolving problems as they arise
• Assist others in managing and prioritising day-to-day work to meet agreed objectives
• Resource management: install, monitor and maintain technical equipment, systems and software, with control over small budgets, stocks/ stores equipment and supplies 
• Engage in appropriate professional activities to keep knowledge-base and skills up-to-date and to develop them further. 
• Maintain local facilities and operations, ensuring efficient use of resources and undertaking purchasing/receipt of goods, equipment maintenance (personally, or through a service contractor) and wider facilities maintenance as required
• Resolve problems as they are arise and put things in place to minimise future, foreseeable problems
• To be responsive to changing priorities and an evolving environment/context, maximising the efficiency of the technical support being provided and resolving problems as they arise
• Keep up to date with all mandatory training, including local Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• To forge relationships with colleagues in the Centre, Faculty, and university, to deliver the required support as well as to contribute to process development and the adoption of best practice.
• Actively engage with the Centre and Faculty?s contribution to the King?s Vision 2029 and Research/Education strategy
• To actively engage in Continuing Professional Development and training initiatives, in line with the Technician Commitment.

There is a potential that the post will be extended or become permanent. 

Minimum level 4 qualification, e.g., higher apprenticeship, HNC or other Level 4 award, plus work experience in relevant technical/scientific posts OR Considerable knowledge and skills gained through work experience in relevant technical or scientific posts.

• Methodical approach to work with good attention to detail, focused on solution and ability to trouble-shoot laboratory problems.
• Experience and understanding of health and safety issues within a laboratory Competent computer skills including Microsoft Office packages
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and independently to identify and address operational issues.
• Good time management and organisational skills. 
• Good communication skills- orally and in writing, 
• Willingness to learn new techniques, follow instructions and apply learnt techniques/ skills to the work context.
• Some experience in running and optimising PCR.

We are looking to recruit a research assistant to work on a project that aims to explore inclusive assessment in the bioscience curriculum. The role is for 120 hours to be undertaken from March to July 2025. The hourly paid gross salary is ?14.88/hour. The work can be undertaken flexibly with some on campus activity required. The role will be focused on analysing KEATS content available to students in relation to assessment using a standardised template and liaising with module leaders. You will be supported by staff from the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine. If you would like further information please contact Dr Andrea Cockett andrea.m.cockett@kcl.ac.uk

NONE

We are looking for students who have experience of: 

Inclusive assessment 

Qualitative data analysis  

This is an exciting opportunity that will allow you to develop your research skills.   

Please note hours will be varied each week - upto 42 hours March-July 2025.

The Youth Insight Project at Queen Mary, University of London is an innovative initiative that highlights the role of creative methodologies in research while fostering youth participation and community engagement. This project connects young people from east London with cutting-edge academic research, allowing them to contribute to the development and analysis of research across diverse fields. By integrating young people as active co-creators of knowledge, the project demonstrates the transformative potential of creative methods in both academia and social change.

The initiative focuses on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting youth-driven research through participatory and peer-led methodologies. By connecting young participants with leading academics, the project underscores the significance of creative methodologies as tools for addressing complex social issues and facilitating social change.

We are recruiting for Youth Insight Researchers to join the project and help to develop new toolkits for academics who are interested in involving young people in their research projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attending training sessions to learn about the research projects and develop your skills as a Youth Insight Researcher
• Agreeing a schedule with the academic whose research project you are placed on (up to 30hrs from April-July 2025)
• Attending planning sessions, workshops or meetings with the project team
• Contributing your reflections and ideas on how participatory and peer research with young people is undertaken by the research project you are placed on
• Writing up your reflections to an agreed template, which suits your skills and the project outcomes
• Being punctual, staying in communication with the project team, and acting in a professional manner with all project staff and participants

What?s on offer?

As a Youth Insight Researcher, you will have the chance to:

• Gain experience working with academics on research projects 
• Share your insights and ideas about youth participation and peer research
• Develop skills of observation, reflection, written communication, project and team working
• Enhance your CV with real-world experience from a recognised academic and cultural institution

Details of the Work:

• You will be a Youth Insight Researcher working in the QM Centre for Creative Collaboration
• You will be paid via QTemps by submitting your timesheets

Important Dates:

You must be available for the following training dates to apply:

March 12th 2pm-5pm

March 19th 2pm-5pm

April 2nd 2pm-5pm

April 9th 2pm-5pm

You can apply for this project if you are:

• Age 18-25
• A current student at Queen Mary
• A recent graduate of Queen Mary
• A young person from east London

To apply, please let us know

• Your age
• If current QM student ? your course and what year you are in
• If recent QM grad ? what you studied and what you are doing now
• If young person from east London ? what are you doing now

The please tell us about any skills or experience you have of:

• Being part of a participatory or peer research project
• Being part of any other youth projects or workshops
• Planning or conducting interviews
• Writing about your ideas and experiences (essays, blogs, reviews etc)
• Working to deadlines