Laboratory Technician - Plant Biology Institute

Join us at EIT At the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), were on a mission to translate scientific discovery into real‑world impact. We bring together visionary scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle humanitys greatest challenges in four transformative areas: * Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology * Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture * Climate Change & Managing CO’2 * Artificial Intelligence & Robotics This is ambitious work that demands curiosity, courage and a relentless drive to make a difference. At EIT, you will join a community built on excellence, innovation, tenacity, trust and collaboration, where bold ideas become real‑world breakthroughs. Together, we push boundaries, embrace complexity and create solutions to scale ideas from lab to society. Welcome to the Plant Biology Institute The Plant Biology Institute, headed by Professor Steve Kelly, is a key part of EIT Oxford. The institute aims to develop impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health through pioneering plant science research. Our research focuses on enhancing our ability to feed the planet while simultaneously improving the climate and ecosystem outcomes of food production. By embedding cutting‑edge plant science research within an organisation that is focused on solving global challenges at scale, we aim to accelerate the timeline from discovery to global impact. * Improved plant productivity, both indoors and outside * Reduced reliance on inputs including water, fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides * Novel decarbonised plant‑based production platforms for food and medicines * Advanced technologies that speed up discovery and deployment in plants Researchers will have access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratories and plant growth facilities and opportunities to collaborate with experts at the forefront of AI, automation and generative biology across the EIT ecosystem. They will also work with global leaders in market development, commercialisation and impact creation. The Plant Biology Institute has long‑term substantial funding to support the unique scale and ambition of its vision. Your Role The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) is seeking a detail‑oriented and proactive Laboratory Technician to provide essential laboratory and experimental support within its innovative Plant Sciences research programmes. This role involves hands‑on responsibility for cultivating experimental plants, preparing reagents and supporting a range of molecular biology, tissue culture and microbial techniques. The successful candidate will assist with data collection, maintain accurate records and uphold rigorous laboratory safety and maintenance standards. With responsibilities spanning inventory management, equipment upkeep and sample handling, this position is integral to the smooth operation of research workflows and the delivery of high‑quality scientific outcomes. Experimental Support * Grow and maintain experimental plants under controlled conditions (growth chambers) * Prepare reagents, buffers and transformation constructs as required * Support Agrobacterium‑mediated transformation * Prepare plant and microbial samples, including culture media, inoculations, antibiotics and controlled environment set‑ups * Support biochemical analyses, including protein extraction and purification, protein quantification, SDS‑PAGE, immunodetection techniques (e.g. Western Blot) and plate‑reader assays * Maintain and propagate tissue culture materials under sterile conditions; assist in the transformation of plant tissues * Assist in the culture and maintenance of plant or microbial cells in a variety of systems; support upstream and downstream processing steps including inoculation, growth monitoring and harvesting of cultures, genotyping, metabolic analysis, sampling, extraction and preparation for analysis * Execute routine molecular biology workflows to support genetic characterization of plant and microbial strains * Prepare sterile media and maintain aseptic conditions for cell‑based cultures; operate and monitor small‑scale bioreactors or fermenters Laboratory Support and Maintenance * Keep the laboratory clean and organised, including regularly cleaning benches, instruments and common spaces * Support general laboratory organisation processes and stock management * Ensure that all equipment is properly stored, calibrated and maintained; assist with equipment set‑up and basic troubleshooting * Disinfect and sterilise laboratory tools, consumables and areas according to established protocols * Ensure that laboratory safety standards are adhered to, including proper handling and disposal of waste materials * Comply with GMO regulations, follow SOPs, biosafety procedures and plant quarantine protocols Data Collection and Record Keeping * Accurately record experimental procedures and data in laboratory notebooks or digital systems * Support data analysis through organisation of datasets, labelling of samples and contribution to experimental summaries Inventory Management * Assist in managing inventory of reagents, consumables and laboratory supplies in accordance with EIT procedures * Keep accurate records of inventory levels, assist with ordering new stock and ensure supplies are replenished in a timely manner * Ensure that all reagents and materials are correctly labelled, stored and easily accessible for workflows Sample and Equipment Handling * Assist with the transport and preparation of biological samples, ensuring proper documentation and labelling procedures are followed * Deliver and retrieve samples and materials between different laboratory sections as needed * Handle and deliver consumables or samples to designated researchers or technical teams Requirements Essential Skills, Qualifications & Experience * Qualification up to BSc (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics) * Familiarity with media preparation, sterilisation techniques and autoclaving of waste * Experience working with plants and microorganisms under sterile conditions * Understanding of molecular biology workflows, including primer design, genotyping, PCR, plasmid extraction (mini‑, midi‑, and maxiprep), DNA/RNA extraction, DNA quantification, bacterial transformation (heat shock and electroporation), agarose gel electrophoresis, cloning and construct design * Aware of health and safety at work, COSHH legislation and laboratory safety Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience * Experience in Agrobacterium‑mediated transformation or basic plant transformation methods would be advantageous * Experience in plant cell culture, including initiation sub‑culturing, regeneration and maintenance of suspension cultures under sterile conditions * Experience in histological preparation and sectioning of leaf tissues (e.g. using a vibrotome, microtome) * Experience in microscopy (e.g. light, fluorescence, dissecting, confocal) * Experience working under microaerobic or anaerobic conditions Benefits * Salary dependent on experience + travel allowance + bonus * Enhanced holiday + options to buy additional days * Pension * Life Assurance * Income Protection * Private Medical Insurance * Hospital Cash Plan * Therapy Services * Perk Box * Electric Car Scheme * Childcare benefit Working Together - What It Involves * You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary. In certain cases, we can consider sponsorship, which will be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis * You will live in, or be within easy commuting distance of, Oxford (or be willing to relocate) J-18808-Ljbffr