The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Reporting to the Technical Specialist: Controlled Environments, you will work as part of a small technical team supporting research activity in the Facility, greenhouses and outdoor spaces.

Duties will involve taking responsibility for good working practices in the communal preparation and laboratory areas, as well as maintenance and preparation of instrumentation for communal use. You will train students to use the laboratory equipment safely and ensure that the laboratory equipment and instrumentation are kept in safe working order. You will advise researchers on horticultural practice and the role will involve the application of biocontrol and pesticides where necessary.

Applicants must have minimum qualifying level 3 qualification in biology, or equivalent experience along with experience of plant husbandry, cultivation and propagation, including practical knowledge of related laboratory equipment and instrumentation. Excellent communication skills and an understanding and application of Health and Safety regulations, compliant with regulatory and statutory compliance are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Maintain the laboratories in the 3 sites (Annex, AWEC and High Bradfield) ensuring a fair use policy is complied with by all researchers, and provide technical support as delegated by the Technical Specialist: Controlled Environments.
• Take the lead in training students in horticultural techniques using skills and knowledge to implement and interpret experimental work.
• Advise researchers on the optimal cultivation techniques and growing conditions for their experiments and any other considerations that may need to be considered to ensure healthy plant growth, including advice on pest management.
• Order supplies and maintain adequate stocks of growing media and consumables across all sites to ensure continuity of research.
• Monitor and take environmental readings in the greenhouse, interpret the data and make changes in the greenhouse monitoring software as necessary.
• Provide technical support, including training, operation, running samples, demonstrating and troubleshooting laboratory equipment.
• Understand, promote and apply relevant COSHH/risk assessments and departmental health and safety protocols, ensuring procedures are followed at all times.
• Implement a fair use policy for storage of samples, preventing overcrowding of storage including cold storage.
• Along with the Technical Specialist: Controlled Environments, implement local safe systems of work pertinent to the facilities on all sites (transportation, biosafety, avoidance of cross-contamination between sites, waste disposal).
• Apply pesticides and biocontrol to plants as and when necessary; after consultation with users and their PI’s. Ensure application is carried out in accordance with the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR) and the GB Biocidal Products Regulations (GB BPR).
• Ensure users follow safe systems of work, and escalate issues of those that do not, in specialist areas for example use of compressed gases, cryogens, packaging of biological samples for transport.
• Report faults with the infrastructure to the Technical Specialist: Controlled Environments relating to the upkeep of the infrastructure for the 3 sites.
• Carry out inductions for staff and students and maintain records of these.
• Actively contribute to a culture in the School of Biosciences where all staff and students are treated fairly, feel welcome, and can flourish professionally or academically.
• As a member of our Professional staff you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the professional behaviours set out in the Technical and Professional Services Shared Skills framework.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the. closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact bioscienceshradmin@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Technical Career Route
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 10/09/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.