Technician

School/Department: School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement: Full Time (On site)

Contract Type: Fixed-term

Closing Date: 16/08/2026

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

As a Technician you will work as an integral member of the School's existing technical team. Reporting to Professor Sergio Rutella, you will assist in the planning, design, and execution of a range of experimental procedures in addition to the maintenance of a range of specialist equipment to support research activities. You will provide technical expertise to research projects led by Professor Rutella, alongside administration duties such as record keeping and ordering consumables.

You will adopt high working standards to ensure the Division's technical team continues to be recognised for its service excellence and exemplary Health and Safety record.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Perform research experiments as required. Support the daily running of Professor Rutella's laboratory to ensure continued safe and reliable service excellence.
• Specific roles & responsibilities:
• Present data and results to Professor Rutella's research group and wider audiences as required.
• Perform general laboratory maintenance, including ordering, routine maintenance of equipment, consumables, stocks, etc.
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate and tidy records of research work, cell line usage etc.
• Provide a high-quality, detailed and effective technical service. Liaise with Professor Rutella regarding potential work, provide guidance, and carry out experimental procedures. Where required provide cost estimates and timescales for work and work materials.
• Provide technical advice and training/demonstrations in the use of specialised equipment to staff, students, and visitors, ensuring that Health and Safety is maintained throughout.
• Contribute as part of larger, Division-wide collaborative projects Professor Rutella is involved with to support the achievement of project objectives.
• Plan experimental tasks up to 3 weeks ahead, although advance planning may vary from 1 week - 3 months ahead depending on the research programme and scale.
• Provide a high standard of customer service to staff, students, and visitors. Make suggestions for improving service and refer customers to senior colleagues as appropriate.
• Use, monitor and maintain a range of general and specialist technical equipment to meet the needs of the Division with regard to teaching and experimental work, ensuring minimum impact is caused by faulty equipment. Be involved in the development, testing and construction of new equipment and/or techniques. This involves installing, monitoring and maintaining technical equipment and systems.
• Maintain an awareness and commitment to the relevant Health and Safety rules and regulations. Provide safety information to staff and students. Carry out and document risk assessments on student and staff activities, maintain training records and liaise with the Division Safety Officer to ensure compliance with legislation and University policies.
• Work collaboratively across School of Medicine & Population Health divisions, providing support, advice and guidance when required.
• 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.

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.

Criteria

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.

Stage(s) assessed at

An Ordinary or Higher National Diploma in a relevant scientific field (or have equivalent experience)

Application/interview

Experience of working in a technical support environment

Application/interview

Role-specific skills:

• Processing of human samples
• Flow cytometry
• Cell culture

Application/interview

Other skills:

• Molecular biology techniques (PCR, library preparation)
• Histopathology techniques

Application/interview

Excellent knowledge of safe working practices and experience of applying Health and Safety in a laboratory environment

Application/interview

Technical professional registration or the willingness to work towards this

Application/interview

Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate to academic, research and technical staff at all levels within the organisation

Application/interview

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving

Application/interview

Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities

Application/interview

Ability to work to tight deadlines and with a high degree of accuracy

Application/interview

Understanding of the health and safety issues relevant to the area and the ability to instil good health and safety practices within a team

Application/interview

Further Information Grade

G5

Work arrangement

Full-time 35 hours per week

Duration

3.5 years

Line manager

Professor Sergio Rutella, Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy, SMPH

For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Sergio Rutella at

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 25 August 2026. This will consist of an interview and a short power-point presentation . We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 17 August 2026 .

• 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.
• 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 commit ment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our 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.

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.

The University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN