Technician

Job Title: Technician

Posting Start Date: 09/12/2025

Job Id: 1998

School/Department: School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): 32,080.00

Closing Date: 05/01/2026

Overview

Applications are invited for the post of Technician to join Sheffield’s Viral Immunotherapy for Bone Efficacy (VIBE) lab led by Dr Faith Howard based within School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield’s Medical School.

We are seeking a highly motivated, practically skilled, well organised individual to work on an exciting 1-year PCR/BCN-funded project where we will synthesise nanoparticles to carry oncolytic viruses to metastatic bone tumours. We aim to evaluate these precision nanoparticles for their protective properties and guidance capabilities towards prostate cancer bone metastases, paving the way for targeted immunotherapy delivery against currently incurable cancers.

Main duties and responsibilities

Design, execute and evaluate experiments
Keep excellent experimental records
Prepare reports regularly and feed back to other members of the research group.
Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, attend and deliver seminars/lab meetings
Help supervise undergraduate and MSc students
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.

Criteria	Essential or desirable	Stage(s) assessed at
Have a degree or Higher National Diploma in a relevant scientific/engineering field (or have equivalent experience).	Essential	Application/interview
Extensive practical and theoretical experience in human cell culture growth.	Essential	Application/interview
Experience of designing experiments and accurately collecting data with subsequent robust analysis using appropriate statistical methods.	Essential	Application/interview
Ability to update and acquire new skills and knowledge in line with advances in the relevant subject area, including technical expertise and experience.	Essential	Application/interview
Knowledge of and compliance with good laboratory practice.	Essential	Application/interview
Awareness of laboratory safety and general laboratory competence.	Essential	Interview
Effective written and verbal communication skills.	Essential	Application/interview
Experience of preparing and delivering presentations and reports on data generated.	Essential	Application/interview
Ability to work either independently and/or as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet deadlines.	Essential	Interview
Generic IT skills, including Microsoft Office suite and Prism.	Essential	Application/interview
Good organisational and time management skills and a proven ability to keep accurate and reliable records.	Essential	Interview
Expertise in oncolytic virus propagation.	Desirable	Application/interview
Practical and theoretical experience in nanoparticle synthesis/ drug delivery.	Desirable	Application/interview
A Home Office Licence and practical experience performing in vivo studies.	Desirable	Application/Interview

Further Information

Grade: 6

Salary: £32,080 – £34,610

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: 1 year (01/02/2026 – 31/01/2027)

Line manager: Project Lead

Direct reports: Project Lead

Our website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/academic/clinical-medicine/faith-howard

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Dr Faith Howard, Project Lead at f.howard@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in January 2026. This will consist of a short presentation of past research followed by a panel interview with an opportunity to see the facilities, meet with other lab members and ask questions. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 8th January. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact smph-west-staffing@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 41 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 integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
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.