Technician: Research

Job Description

Job Title: Technician: Research (Plant-fungal Interactions)

Posting Start Date: 05/11/2025

Job Id: 1808

School/Department: Biosciences

Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): £27,319 - £28,778 per annum

Closing Date: 03/12/2025

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.

Overview

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised Research Technician to support lab and field work to be undertaken in a large Royal Society-funded project. Through this research, we are investigating the function, regulation, and ecology of diverse mycorrhizal fungi and the networks they form. The project will explore how diverse mycorrhizal fungi influence plant physiology, nutrition, biodiversity, and ecosystem function, with applications in both natural and agricultural systems. The research will combine laboratory, field, and controlled-environment approaches to uncover how fungal networks operate and influence plants and soils. You will be an essential member of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, including Professor Katie Field, Jurriaan Ton, Gareth Phoenix and Dylan Childs at the University of Sheffield, Dr Silvia Pressel at the Natural History Museum, London, and Professor David Johnson at Lancaster University.

The Research Technician will join the collaborative research lab of Professor Katie Field within the Plants, Photosynthesis, and Soil research cluster in the School of Biosciences. The Research Technician will work closely with the project investigator team and research staff, helping to deliver high-quality, impactful science. The role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to research that explores biodiversity from the molecular to the landscape scale, as well as opportunity to develop new skills and gain experience in plant-soil interactions while contributing to cutting-edge, collaborative research.

Applicants must have experience equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) qualification in relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description along with an excellent understanding of how to store and handle data in accordance with legislation. Excellent communication skills to be able to communicate technical information clearly and succinctly to a wide variety of stakeholders, in a variety of methods, for example verbally or in presentation or written format are also essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide assistance and support in molecular and biochemical studies of plant-fungal interactions

• Processing and analysis of samples, data entry and storage

• Perform investigations and experimentation using the appropriate tools, equipment, techniques, procedures and methods of relevance.

• Collect, and organise experimental data, supporting decision-making and project delivery.

• Maintain accurate and reliable electronic records of obtained data.

• Support the day-to-day running of the research laboratory, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc., ensuring a safe, efficient, and inclusive working environment.
• Support technical maintenance of laboratory equipment and undertake routine maintenance tasks.
• Support researchers and students by providing technical expertise, guidance in the use of laboratory equipment, materials, and processes.
• Support the development of sustainable laboratory practices to minimise waste and environmental impact.
• Plan and work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, environmental compliance procedures and systems and other relevant guidelines
• Ensure all activities are undertaken using the correct processes/methodologies, ensuring quality and compliance
• Contribute to team-wide problem solving, applying critical thinking and collaborative approaches.
• Attend and actively participate in project meetings and research group meetings.
• Take responsibility for self-development and on the job learning; keeping abreast of developments in techniques and technology.
• 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

Experience equivalent to Level 3 (BTEC/A Level) qualification in relevant field, with proven vocational skills in line with the job description

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to co-design and maintain experiments in plant/fungal biology, physiology and/or biochemistry.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in a range of laboratory techniques relevant to plant-soil interactions, including molecular biology and working with isotopes.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in use of controlled environments for plant growth, plant and fungal culture (axenic and non-sterile), and soil nutrient analyses.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience and commitment to high standards of health, safety, and environmental responsibility including awareness and experience in lab health and safety regulations and procedures

Essential

Application/interview

Work efficiently and effectively at all times, tackling unfamiliar tasks and minimising waste.

Essential

Application/interview

Willingness and ability to work as part of a team and independently with minimal day-to-day supervision.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in lab organisation and management, e.g. managing lab stocks, ordering, routine maintenance of equipment.

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent communication skills to be able to communicate technical information clearly and succinctly to a wide variety of stakeholders, in a variety of methods, for example verbally or in presentation or written format

Essential

Application/interview

Flexible and adaptable, able to respond to changing work demands and priorities.

Essential

Application/interview

Understanding of relevant statutory, quality, environmental compliance procedures / systems, organisational and health and safety regulations relating to operations

Desirable

Application/interview

Technical Professional Registration or the willingness to work towards it.

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

5

Salary

£27,319 - £28,788 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time (35 hours per week) / Flexible working pattern considered in line with business need and work demands

Duration

Fixed-term for a period of 60 months from 1 March 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)

Line manager

Professor of Plant-Soil Processes (PI)

Direct reports

None

Our website

School of Biosciences

For informal enquiries about this job contact Prof. Katie Field, Lab PI: on

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in December 2025. This will consist of an interview and a tour of the lab and relevant facilities. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 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

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: ().

What we offer

• A minimum of 38days 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

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 : 03/12/2025

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 ) 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.